On March 15, a scientific-practical conference on "Heydar Aliyev is the founder of Azerbaijani ideology" was held under the joint organization of Sumgayit State University and Sumgayit City Executive Authority.

Mr. Zakir Farajov, the head of the Sumgayit City Executive Authority, university professors and students participated in the conference.

First, the participants laid flowers to the bust of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev erected in the lobby of the university and paid tribute to his memory.

At the opening of the conference, the dear memory of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev was commemorated with a minute of silence.

Later, a video about the life and activities of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev was shown.

The rector of the university, professor Elkhan Huseynov opened the conference with his opening speech, greeted Zakir Farajov the head of the Sumgayit City Executive Power and the participants, spoke in detail about the life, rich and multifaceted activities of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. He pointed out that according to the relevant Decree of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, this year was declared "Year of Heydar Aliyev" in our country. The 100th anniversary of the birth of the National Leader is widely celebrated with high respect and deep gratitude of every Azerbaijani in our country and beyond its borders. During the events, the important historical services and universal activities of the Great Leader for the people of Azerbaijan, the state and our homeland are widely discussed, and his memory is cherished. The philosophical and political meaning of Heydar Aliyev"s ideology of Azerbaijanism is very deep. Azerbaijanism is an ideology that ensures national solidarity, integrity, and strengthens the feeling of national bigotry and patriotism. The ideology of Azerbaijaniism, authored and systematized by the National Leader, has become a national source of reference for Azerbaijanis around the world, covering not only the people living in the territory of this country, but also the Azerbaijanis living all over the world. Standing alongside the most influential politicians of his time, Heydar Aliyev played an exceptional role in promoting the modern Azerbaijan, and gaining a worthy position in the international relations system of our country.

The rector also noted that the most significant pages of the history of Sumgayit are connected with the name of the Great Leader. It was thanks to his attention and concern that in the 70s and 80s of the last century, wide opportunities for the rapid development of the oil and chemical industry were opened in Sumgait, and new production areas were put into operation based on the technologies in accordance with the requirements of the time. The visit of the head of state Ilham Aliyev to Sumgayit, which is the second industrial center of the South Caucasus after Baku, as a result of   his attention and care, our city is developing rapidly. The activity of the newly opened enterprises is giving its fruits to the country"s economy. Under the leadership of  Zakir Farajov, the cultural level of Sumgait city has increased, a number of reforms have been implemented in accordance with the state program for modern development.

Then Zakir Farajov-the head of the Sumgayit City Executive Power made a speech and greeted the rector professor Elkhan Huseynov and the team, congratulated everyone on the occasion of Nowruz holiday and wished that the national holiday, which reflects the rich national and spiritual values of our people, would bring sustenance, blessings and prosperity to all families.

Zakir Farajov made a speech on "Heydar Aliyev is the founder of independent Azerbaijan". He spoke about the Great Leader"s services to the people of Azerbaijan and stated that the Great Leader"s irreplaceable services to the people and state of Azerbaijan cover all stages of his activity. The works done during the time when the National Leader led our country both during the USSR and the years of independence served to increase the power of our republic and to achieve historical achievements of Azerbaijan. In particular, the stage in which the wise statesman led Azerbaijan during the years of independence was engraved in history as a period of stability and progress. Successful state building, fundamental reforms   were carried out in Azerbaijan in all fields and international relations of our country were developed, and its position in the world was strengthened. Therefore, the Heydar Aliyev era of our statehood history is associated with the concepts of stability, prosperity, progress and renaissance in the memory of the Azerbaijani people. Our people are also happy because the ideas of Heydar Aliyev live, his policy is successfully implemented by his worthy successor and follower Ilham Aliyev.

Zakir Farajov also noted that during the leadership of our country, National Leader Heydar Aliyev visited Sumgait 16 times and each visit was remembered as a great historical event. The development of industry, science and education, social life in the city is connected with the name of the Great Leader. Leading enterprises of metallurgy, chemistry, energy, building materials industry were established here in the former union, new microdistricts and residential areas were built. Heydar Aliyev made several visits to Sumgayit, the city of youth during all periods of his leadership of Azerbaijan. Many industrial enterprises were opened during these visits. Today, Sumgait is experiencing a new stage of its development. As a result of the reforms carried out by president Ilham Aliyev the rapid development of the city has been ensured, Sumgait is already stepping new stage as the second industrial center of the South Caucasus.

Zakir Farajov talked about the large-scale construction works carried out in the city, the implementation of these projects, the construction of new industrial enterprises, and the rapid development of Sumgait in general. He said that a modern boulevard in accordance with European standards has been created in the city, roads within the neighborhood, streets and avenues in micro-districts have been overhauled, unsuitable roof coverings of residential buildings, schools and kindergartens have been replaced with new ones, and parks in different areas of the city have been improved. Heydar Aliyev Center, Railway Station Building, Poetry House, Flag Museum, Children"s Art School, Chess School, etc. new socio-cultural facilities supported the architectural appearance of the city. These works will be successfully continued today and tomorrow.

The speakers made a speech on the topics: dean of the faculty of History and geography professor, Honored teacher Adil Bakhshaliyev "The statehood activities of Heydar Aliyev", head of the department of Petrochemistry and chemical engineering professor Akbar Agayev "Role of Heydar Aliyev in the development of science and education in Azerbaijan", dean of the faculty of Philology associate professor Sevinj Hamzayeva "Heydar Aliyev"s cultural policy", Gunel Aliyeva a third-year student of the faculty of Philology "Development of the ideology of multiculturalism and tolerance during the reign of Ilham Aliyev". They said that the foundation of the successful projects implemented in other areas, the establishment and development of the modern Azerbaijan state, the protection and promotion of the Azerbaijani ideology, our national and moral values, the Azerbaijani language being a component of the Azerbaijani ideology, the economic progress of our country were laid by Great Leader Heydar Aliyev. Today, the policy of president Ilham Aliyev - the worthy follower of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev is based on balanced foreign policy, stability, sustainable economic development and acceptance of a new way of thinking, i.e. cultural and spiritual diversity as a way of life at the state level, against all religions, elimination of all kinds of discrimination, etc. These standards have come down from ancient times to modern times through inheritance, derived from the idea of Azerbaijaniism. In this context, the teaching of Azerbaijaniism implemented and developed by President Ilham Aliyev reflects modernity in unity with inheritance and tradition.

At the end of the conference, Mr. Zakir Farajov answered the students" questions.

Mr. Zakir Farajov answered the questions addressed by the students about the scholarship, said that 50 students will be provided the scholarship.

Mr. Zakir Farajov noted that education is a strategic field for every country. As our great leader Heydar Aliyev said, education is the future of every nation. The goals set by president Ilham Aliyev for the development of education at the highest level in our country are based on reality. Benefiting from this, the youth of Azerbaijan play a bigger role in the social and political life of the country day by day. The students of Sumgait State University, which is the only higher education institution of Sumgait city represent our city with their success.

In the end, rector professor Elkhan Huseynov expressed his gratitude to the Executive head Zakir Farajov on behalf of the university"s faculty and students.