October 18 is a day written in the history of the Azerbaijani people with a sense of honor and pride. On that day, the Azerbaijan nation announced the existence of its   statehood for the second time in the 20th century.

In connection with the 31st anniversary of our state independence, a scientific-theoretical conference was held on October 18 at Sumgayit State University.

Vice rector for Social affairs and public relations of the University Elmar Khalilov opened the conference, conveyed the greetings of rector professor Elkhan Huseynov to the participants and congratulated everyone on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the remarkable historical event, the restoration of independence of the Azerbaijani people in 1991.He spoke about the historical importance of the adoption of the Constitutional Act "On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan" on October 18. He said that on October 18, 1991, the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan realized the idea of ​​independence of our people by adopting the "Constitutional Act on State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan". However, in the early 1990s, the people of Azerbaijan faced the threat of losing their newly restored independence. Our people managed to take control of their destiny by showing a strong will in these difficult days. The great leader Heydar Aliyev who returned to political power in Azerbaijan in 1993 at the insistence of the people made the independence of our country eternal and unshakeable. The great leader"s efforts to preserve and strengthen our independence are successfully continued today by his successor, President Mr. Ilham Aliyev. The biggest wish of the national leader was the liberation of our occupied lands and the restoration of our territorial integrity. President Mr. Ilham Aliyev fulfilled this wish of the Great Leader. As a result of the glorious Victory won by the Azerbaijan Army under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief Mr. Ilham Aliyev in the 44-day Patriotic War, the occupation was ended, the enemy was expelled from our lands, and our territorial integrity was restored.This historic victory demonstrated to the whole world that the independence of Azerbaijan is eternal and unshakable.

Then Samir Karimli, associate professor of the department of History and its teaching methodology gave a speech on "Historical path leading to state independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan and restoration of independence". He said that during 31 years since the restoration of state independence, our nation has passed a great path of development. Under the leadership of Honorable President Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the dynamic development of the economy has been ensured in our country ,  its international reputation and economic power as the leading state of the region, the living standard of the population has improved.

The following participants made reports in the various topics:Amirkhan Isayev associate professor of the department of History of Azerbaijan and Eastern European peoples, "Heydar Aliyev"s return to power perpetuated independence of Azerbaijan", Farida Jabrayilova, senior lecturer of the department of Philosophy, sociology and political science, PhD in philosophy "Strengthening our independence is the supreme goal of Ilham Aliyev"s policy", master student of the faculty of History and geography Anar Gurbanov, on the topic "The role of our youth in protecting our independence".

In conclusion, the vice-rector for Science and innovation of the university, professor Ramazan Mammadov made a speech that October 18 - "Day of Independence Restoration" is a day full of pride for each of us. The brightest result of our thirty-one-year development path is that today Azerbaijan is in the true sense of the word already an independent country.

Such events dedicated to the day of the restoration of state independence of Azerbaijan are organized in all faculties of the university.