A teleconference dedicated to the fifth anniversary of the activity of Association of Russian-Azerbaijani Universities was held between Sumgayit State University (SSU) and Ufa State Oil Technical University (USOTU) on December 18.

Opening the event, USOTU rector Oleg Alexandrovich Baulin greeted the Association"s co-chair from Azerbaijan, rector of SSU  professor Elkhan Huseynov and the participants of the teleconference. He spoke about the economic, cultural and strong friendly relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan (AR) and the Russian Federation (RF), reforms in science and education in his country, and stressed the importance of expanding cooperation.

The Azerbaijani co-chair of the association, the rector of SSU professor Elkhan Huseynov, in turn, greeted the participants and congratulated the rector of USOTU O.A. Baulin on his election as rector. He noted that the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are exemplary in all areas.

In his speech, prof. E. Huseynov spoke about the activities of SSU, its international relations, the establishment of close relations with many universities around the world. He noted that the Association of Russian-Azerbaijani Universities is a unique organization in the post-Soviet space. Evaluating the establishment of the association as an important event in the educational life of both countries, the rector drew attention to the practical implementation of ideas of cooperation in science and education during its 5 years of activity, implementation of educational reforms aimed at protecting and developing a single educational space and humanitarian cooperation.

In his speech, the rector stressed that SSU administration, staff and students have repeatedly visited the Ufa State Oil Technical University, participated in scientific conferences, forums of the Association of Russian-Azerbaijani Universities, Student Forums. At the same time, the staff of USOTU regularly participated in scientific conferences organized at SSU, the results of their scientific research were published in the "Scientific" journals of both universities. Sumgayit State University, with the support of the Ministry of Education, organized by the Azerbaijani-Russian Association of Higher Education Institutions, hosted a high-level Summer School "Journey to the Land of Fire to Azerbaijan" on July 14-21, 2019. It was attended by about 70 students from Russia and local universities. Within the framework of the "Summer School", students got acquainted with various seminars, meetings, round tables, excursions to suitable tourist destinations, the nature of our country, historical and architectural monuments, national cuisine.

Addressing his colleagues, the rector of SSU said he wanted to give brief information about the recent events related to the liberation of the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia as you know  Armenia has occupied 20 percent of territory of  Azerbaijan". The UN Security Council has adopted four resolutions calling for the immediate liberation of the occupied territories. Unfortunately, these resolutions have not been implemented for almost 30 years. The OSCE Minsk Group, despite the fact that its co-chairs serve this purpose, has done virtually nothing to resolve the conflict and implement UN Security Council resolutions. They have held countless meetings, but apparently to imitate the negotiation process. Armenia has been working hard to prolong the process, thereby maintaining the status quo at the time, and the co-chairs have acted with inaction. Both the past and present leadership of Armenia were inciting a new war: Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan proudly declared his personal participation in the extermination of Azerbaijanis in Karabakh. He said that in Khojaly (Khojaly genocide) Armenians showed that they could kill peaceful, unarmed Azerbaijanis. Speaking to representatives of the Armenian Diaspora, the Armenian Defense Minister said: "We are thinking about a new war and new territories." Incumbent Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said: "Karabakh is Armenia and the point!" In fact, he ended the negotiation process. Armenia launched an attack in the direction of Tovuz, far from Karabakh, fulfilling the Defense Minister"s call for a new war and new territories. On the eve of the Second Karabakh War, Armenia sent a provocation group to commit terrorist acts. A provocation group was discovered, some fled to Armenia. On September 27, the Armenian side fired on Azerbaijani positions and villages. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces responded. As a result of the 44-day war, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces liberated most of the occupied territories. On November 8, the city of Shusha, one of the cultural centers of Azerbaijan, was liberated. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces were already in front of the walls of Khankendi. After the intervention of the Russian Federation, a tripartite statement was signed, as you know. I would like to emphasize that Armenia fired on Azerbaijani cities and villages, including the cities of Ganja, Mingachevir, Khizi, Barda and Tartar, hundreds of kilometers from the line of contact. Armenian generals proudly reported that they used Tochka-U missiles, ballistic missiles and others on the firing range. I would like to note with heartache that 24 people, including one citizen of the Russian Federation, were killed in the shooting in Ganja alone. About 30 years ago, the cities and villages occupied by Armenia were savagely looted and destroyed. Of the 67 mosques in these areas, 63 were destroyed. Armenians kept pigs in mosques, insulting the feelings of the Muslim population. Armenians, who left the occupied territories in the early 1990s, burned and destroyed houses that did not belong to them and were forcibly taken from Azerbaijanis. I sent an information letter to all university rectors who were members of the Association during the Patriotic War of Azerbaijan. However, I thought that today, in my speech as co-chair of the Russian-Azerbaijani Universities Association, I would definitely inform about this issue. When you look at the situation in the liberated areas, you think that in the last 30 years, the greatest crime has been committed in the eyes of the world, an act of terrorism has been committed. But in spite of all this, our people and state have found strength, lived and developed. Victory in the war was made possible by the heroism of Azerbaijani soldiers and officers, the military leadership talent of President Ilham Aliyev. This victory was also ensured by the nature of the war. For Azerbaijan, this war was, in the true sense of the word, the motherland, the war of Salvation. Rector of SSU, professor Elkhan Huseynov  concluded his speech with more optimistic notes: “Dear colleagues, dear friends! Today we are all on the threshold of 2021. We hope that next year our country  will be able to successfully cope with last year"s disaster - the coronavirus pandemic. We hope that in the new year we will return to the traditional format of face-to-face communication and cooperation. Dear friends! I sincerely congratulate you and personally all the  staff of Ufa State Oil Technical University on the upcoming New Year and wish you all good health, prosperity and new achievements!

Thank you for your attention! ”

The co-chair of the association from Russia, the first vice-rector of USOTU, academician Ramil Bakhtiz greeted the participants of the teleconference. He noted that in 2015, a Cooperation agreement was signed between USOTU and SSU. In accordance with the relevant clauses of the agreement, SSU executives, scientists, students repeatedly visited Ufa at the invitation of USOTU, participated in scientific conferences, forums, provided material and technical bases of higher education institutions in Ufa. At the same time, senior officials, faculty members and students of Ufa State Oil Technical University got acquainted with the activities of Azerbaijani higher education institutions in the field of science and education, the history and culture of our country. As a guest of SSU several times, we met with staff and students of the university and held master classes.

By the decision of the Scientific Council of Ufa State Oil Technical University of the Russian Federation, it was announced that the rector of Sumgayit State University, co-chair of the Russian-Azerbaijani Universities Association, professor Elkhan Huseynov was awarded the title of honorary professor of USOTU. Elkhan Huseynov thanked the Scientific Council of USOTU for the title of honorary professor. He said he would continue to work to strengthen ties between Russia and Azerbaijan in the field of science and education. Elkhan Huseynov was awarded an honorary professor"s diploma, medal and mantle online.

Vice-rector for Science and Innovations professor Ramazan Mammadov spoke on "Academic relations between USOTU and SSU." He spoke about the history of SSU"s relations with Russian universities and the current situation. He noted that the Association of two State Universities is a bridge in strengthening relations in the field of education and scientific creativity. The association, which serves to increase cooperation between universities in the field of science and education, also helps to increase the intellectual potential of our countries.

Afterwards the speakers delivered speech: the head of the department of petrochemical technology of USOTU T.R. Prosochkina on "Current state and prospects of cooperation between USOTU and SSU in the field of petrochemistry", the head of the department of process automation prof. J.F. Mammadov "On the innovative activity of SSU", "On scientific relations of students of USOTU with SSS line" by the scientific head of Student Scientific Society of  SSU, associate professor L.N. Bunyatova; Maryam Ansar, a student of SSU, a participant of the contest "Nobody is forgotten, nothing is forgotten", the head of the department of Russian language and literature of USOTU A.K. Suleymanova "Cooperation of language departments of USOTU and SSU: current situation and prospects" Marina Alexandrovna, a student of USOTU, who participated in the Summer school in 2019, said that Sumgayit State University hosted the Summer school "Journey to the Land of Fire to Azerbaijan" at a high level. She thanked the organizers and volunteers for the welcome, as well as all the people of Azerbaijan for their hospitality, kindness and cheerfulness. Noting that the program of the event was very interesting and memorable, she expressed confidence that cooperation will continue successfully.

Scholarship certificates named after academician A.H. Mirzajanzade were awarded to 3 students of USOTU and honorary diplomas named after academician A.H. Mirzajanzadeh were awarded to the winners of scientific and technical conferences and Olympiads.

The teleconference discussed the expansion of teacher and student exchanges between the two universities, as well as other tasks related to the implementation of the cooperation agreement. They noted the success of the student-teacher exchange between the universities, which will contribute to the development of cooperation.

At the end of the teleconference, a musical contribution of SSU students to the USOTU team was presented.