On July 15, opening ceremony of “Travel to Land of Fire Azerbaijan” Student Summer School took place at Sumgayit State University by support of Ministry of Education and Association of Russian-Azerbaijani Universities.

The event began with a visit by participants of the Summer Student School, headed by the university’s rector, Professor Elkhan Huseynov, to the Alley of Honor, where they commemorated the memory of national leader Heydar Aliyev and laid a wreath at his grave. After that, the guests visited the Alley of Martyrs, where they also laid flowers on the graves of the courageous heroes of the sons of the Motherland who gave their lives in the struggle for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and to the Eternal Flame memorial complex.

Further, the event continued in the Assembly hall of Sumgayit State University. The event was opened by the university rector Professor Elkhan Huseynov. He welcomed director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Nijat Mammadli, vice-rector of Baku Slavic University, professor Telman Jafarov, as well as teachers and students of the Samara State Technical University, Ural State Mining University, North Caucasus Federal University, Kuban State University, Dagestan State University and expressed his pleasure to see them at our university.

Rector spoke about the friendly relations between Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation, as well as about the development of bilateral relations between our countries in the field of economy, culture, science and education. He noted that the basis of these relations is the wise policy of national leader Heydar Aliyev, which is being successfully implemented by the current President of the Republic, Ilham Aliyev. Elkhan Huseynov noted that cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan, including in the field of science and education, has its historical roots and the strengthening of these relations is a priority for both states. Of great importance in this sense are the periodic meetings of the heads of state of Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev. Association of Russian-Azerbaijani Universities, which was established in 2015, and currently covers 53 universities, aims to strengthen relationships in the field of science and education.

Rector Elkhan Huseynov spoke about the history of the university, its international relations and the progress achieved in the implementation of international projects and programs implemented at SSU. He noted that President of the Republic Ilham Aliyev pays great attention to the integration of Azerbaijani science and education into the world educational space. The rector noted that within the framework of the project of the Association of Russian-Azerbaijani Universities, senior officials, scientists and students of SSU periodically participated in the forums and, at the same time, Russian scientists took part in conferences held at the University, printed their research in the "Scientific News" journal of SSU, conducted master classes for students.

Then, the rector, addressing the guests said: “Dear students of Russian universities! Within the framework of the Student Summer School “Travel to the Land of Fire Azerbaijan”, you can see with your own eyes the ancient, preserving its traditions and, at the same time, constantly developing, modern Azerbaijan. You will see that representatives of various religions, peoples lived for centuries in Azerbaijan as one family in conditions of peace, friendship and tranquility, this policy of tolerance continues today. The state policy in this direction in Azerbaijan, pursued by our President, is very effective and leads to excellent results. By declaring 2016 “Year of Multiculturalism”, we have demonstrated to the world that multiculturalism in Azerbaijan is both a state policy and a way of life of the population of the republic.

Dear participants of the Student Summer School! During your stay here, you will be able to get acquainted with the universities of the republic, with the sights of the cities of Baku and Sumgayit, regions of Guba and Gobusta, to get acquainted with the cultural and historical heritage of our people. Welcome to Azerbaijan! ”.

Then the head of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Nijat Mammadli, the vice-rector of Baku Slavic University, Professor Telman Jafarov, the head of a group of students of the USOTU Albina Nabiyeva, the student of the same university, Leyla Nabiyeva delivered speech. They spoke about the significance of the Summer School and expressed their gratitude to its organizers. It was noted that the event held today is another example of close relations between the two countries. It was also said that the exchange of students between our universities will contribute to the development of cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan in the field of education. The event went on by the performance of members of amateur circle.

Then the students got acquainted with the university, educational laboratories, the Laboratory of measuring and sensor systems, information technology systems and specialized auditoriums. They visited the conference hall, the study room of general history, archeology and ethnography, the rich scientific library and a large sports complex. The guests also got acquainted with Sumgayit city, located on the Caspian coast.