Today, hundreds of students say goodbye to university and student life. Students who once stepped on the threshold of youth with the whims of a crazy and sometimes fragile child are now graduating from high school. The bitter and sweet moments of the student years are over. For graduates who live the excitement of exams all year round, the past is now an unattainable dream.

Virtual "Graduation Day"! This expression, which is now in our lexicon, evokes strange feelings in people. But what can be done, this is the demand of today. We now have not only common values, but also common sorrows. As human beings, we must maintain social distance for the sake of our health. We must follow the rules of self-isolation. Nevertheless, we celebrate the virtual "Graduation Day" engraved in our memory.

On June 30, Sumgayit State University saw off its next graduates. We had an unforgettable day collectively within the rules of the pandemic. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, extensive creative work is being carried out in our independent republic, and important programs are being implemented to improve the living standards of the people. In this regard, the work done in the field of education is noteworthy. The reforms in the field of education, the successful implementation of the adopted state programs, the holding of competitions are once again an indication that education is in the focus of the head of state. Sumgayit State University, which has contributed to the formation of human resources and scientific and cultural elite of our country, is still implementing projects for the development of human resources and achieving significant successes.

After a short time, today"s graduates will have their say and contribute to the development of the country and society. Rector, Professor Elkhan Huseynov, who addressed the "Graduation Day", expressed his heartfelt words to the students and expressed his best wishes, also reflected what we said: Dear graduates! Every higher education institution has its own past, present and future. Sumgayit State University is an educational institution that has the right to be proud of its history, to demonstrate its achievements today along with the leading universities and, finally, to sign the solution of future priorities. In this regard, the Order signed by our President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the city of Sumgayit states that "Sumgayit State University is already one of the most prestigious universities in the country." This is the highest value given to Sumgayit State University. Today, we can proudly say that in the 44-day Patriotic War,

thanks to the direct leadership, invincible will and determination of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, the heroic Azerbaijani Army won a glorious victory over the enemy. The fulfillment of this glorious mission, the historic victory was achieved due to the fact that Azerbaijan is a strong state, has a strong economy, a strong army, and most importantly, the unity of our people around President Muzaffar Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev.

As sad as it is, we want to note that we have sons who were killed and wounded in the war with the Armenian aggressors. 16 graduates of Sumgayit State University were martyred in the life-and-death struggle of our people against the enemy and in the protection of the territorial integrity of our Motherland. We respectfully commemorate the memory of all the heroic sons of the Motherland, bow before their souls and wish God"s healing to our veterans! Dear graduates! Today, Sumgayit State University is the pearl of Sumgayit, the most powerful industrial city in the South Caucasus, and an influential educational center in the region. It is gratifying that our graduates are successfully working in the civil service, education and other fields. We are very pleased with their success. Every year, "Graduation Day" is celebrated at our university. A farewell meeting was held in their honor. However, due to the spread of coronavirus infection, this time the events are held online. The coronavirus pandemic, which has become a global health crisis, has not passed unnoticed in our country, as in many areas, including the education system. From the first days of the pandemic, the state has been regularly informing the population, preventing mass gatherings as a preventive measure, providing care and support to our citizens abroad, providing financial assistance to low-income families, members of socially vulnerable families. The state"s payment of students" tuition fees and other measures are a clear indication of President Ilham Aliyev"s high leadership talent and endless love for his people.

Student years are the most memorable period of a person"s life. Over the years, we have worked as a university team to open the doors of science to you and train you as high-level specialists. For this purpose, we have opened new, modern laboratories at the university, created an electronic scientific library, an open-air Electricity Training Museum and a high-voltage substation - Training Landfill to strengthen the practical knowledge of our students. We managed to send a group of our students to a number of universities around the world to participate in international competitions and scientific conferences. Your achievements and the results of the semester exams show that our efforts have not been in vain. A graduate of any university is an indicator of his success and achievements. Every successful staff is also an ambassador of the university where he studied. I hope that you will raise the name of the university in the coming years by effectively using the scientific knowledge you have acquired in education. Although we could not hold a solemn "Graduation Day" in these difficult days - during the pandemic, I once again share your joy and wish you good health and success in your future endeavors!

I believe that with your further activities you will contribute to the development of our country, stand in the forefront for the Revival of Karabakh, unconditionally fulfill every call of President Ilham Aliyev, write your name among the heroes who made the Motherland! ”

After the special congratulations of the rector, professor Elkhan Huseynov, a group of our graduates visited the bust of the great leader Heydar Aliyev in the lobby of the university and the memorial complex erected in honor of the Martyrs in the courtyard of the university.