MSU Baku branch hosts roundtable on Azerbaijani research center at Oxford University
By Nigar Orujova
The Moscow State University Baku Branch held a roundtable "Research Center of Azerbaijan and Caucasilogy after Nizami Ganjavi at the Oxford University" on November 21.
The event was attended by Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Elchin Efendiyev, vice-president of the National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), director of the Institute of Literature after Nizami Ganjavi, academician Isa Habibbayli, Rector of the Baku branch of Moscow State University, Doctor of Philology, Professor Nargiz Pashayeva, director of the National Museum of History Naila Valikhanli, deputy director of the Institute of Literature, corresponding member of ANAS Teymur Karimli, director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of ANAS, Doctor of Philology, Professor Govhar Bakhshaliyeva, Head of the Department of General Linguistics of the Baku State University (BSU), corresponding member of ANAS Nizami Jafarov, as well as prominent scientists , historians, Orientalists, linguists, and public figures.
Addressing the event, professor Pashayeva noted that she visited the Oxford University in October, at the invitation of the Department of Oriental Studies.
"Earlier, two professors and Orientalists of the University of Oxford visited the Baku branch of Moscow State University to explore the activities of the high school," she said.
At the meeting with British scientists, Nargiz Pashayeva proposed opening a research center at Oxford University, which in the future would be recognized and accepted as a part of Oxford University.
According to her, the representatives of the University of Oxford supported this idea. Pashayeva suggested naming the Center after Nizami Ganjavi, who, as noted by British scientists at the University of Oxford, is accepted as a Persian poet.
"I told them that I see Nizami as a personality, who creates and unites, but does not divide, and brings different views and approaches together. If you agree, I said, we shall call this Scientific Center named after Nizami and it will function in accordance with these principles, this policy and approach," Pashayeva said.
According to Pahsayeva, the main objective of the Centre was not proving that Nizami Ganjavi was an Azerbaijani poet. This is proven, she said, by his works, philosophy, sayings, and way of life.
"The Center will promote Azerbaijani history, language, and literature in the University of Oxford, which is the temple of science. The Centre also targets promoting Azerbaijan's scientific and public figures who were not recognized in the international arena during the Soviet era."
"The Azerbaijani scientists, orientalists, and turkologists have beautiful works that are not inferior to the books taught at the University of Oxford and also books written by German, British, and French scientists. During the negotiations, it became clear that the representatives of the University of Oxford were unaware of this fact," Pashayeva noted.
According to her, a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of the "Scientific Center of Azerbaijan and Caucasiology after Nizami Ganjavi at Oxford University" was already signed and the key point is that this Center begin functioning.
Deputy Prime Minister Elchin Efendiyev said that the opening of the Centre at the University of Oxford is a remarkable event for the independent Azerbaijan.
"The opening of the Center in this historic and world-famous university will create an excellent opportunity for informing the world about Azerbaijan's rich history and literature."
Tofig Hajiyev, head of the Department of Turkic Studies, BSU, corresponding member of ANAS, Acad. Isa Habibbayli, Vice-president of ANAS, Director of the Institute of Literature after Nizami, and Ph.D. in History Solmaz Rustamova-Tohidi praised the establishment of the Center in terms of the recognition of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani literature in the world.
The Research Center of Azerbaijan and Caucasiology after Nizami Ganjavi at the Institute of Oriental Studies at the University of Oxford is the first research center that will study the history and culture of Azerbaijan and the Caucasus region.
The Centre is designed to conduct researches, academic exchange, roundtables, conferences, scholarship programs, and cultural projects at the University of Oxford.
The Centre will collect scientific information related to Azerbaijan on a regular basis, with the subsequent formation of resources and library fund. The Center also will prepare a calendar of events and research on Azerbaijan which will be held at the University of Oxford.
Nizami Ganjavi, the greatest representative of Eastern Renaissance in the 12th century, displayed the quintessence of world literature and philosophy in Khamsa (Five) through the aesthetic power of his art.