Prof. Nigar Isgandarova`s travel impressions
Continuing successfully its participationas a partner university in the “Development and improvement of university management in the field of international relations” TEMPUS UNIVIA project of the Council of Europe, Sumgait State University has already reached the third stage. During this period we became acquainted with the experience of European universities in the field of international relations and we have strengthened and improved our activity germane to the issues such as training of personnel, compiling key documents, making the re-establishment of the International Cooperation Department. Within the framework of the project, on April 4-14, 2016, I was on assignment in the University of Santiago de Compostela which is located in Galiciaregion of the Spain Kingdom. The purpose of the assignment was to create the basis for establishing relations and to get acquainted with the experience of the University of Santiago de Compostela that is recognized amongst European, American and Asian universities, highly achieved in the fields ofscience and education and actively participated in international projects.
I note that the trip can be consideredeffective and efficient. During the assignment we met the vice rectors for International Relations, Science and Innovation , as well as, heads and staff of International Relations Departments (2 departments in 3 campuses). According to the program we visited Modern Languages Center, Modern Technologies Center, Scientific Research Institutes and Centers , the third campus in the city of Lugo and the University of Vigo in the city of Vigo, we got acquainted with the activities of all above-mentioned departments.
To turn out the action plan covering the trip, I would like to inform you about this University.
The university of Santiago de Compostela is a modern public university ( The university traces its roots back to 1495. It was included in the list of UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage .–N.I.). Creating intra-continental bridge, this university was “alma mater” for thousands of Spanish speaking students , it offers the education of undergraduate in the Spanish language, but master`s and PhD both in Spanish and English. In 3 campuses of the University (North and South campuses are located in this city, but the third is in the city of Lugo.- N.I.). programs on 48 specialties for bachelor`s degree and programs on 72 fields for master`s degree are offered in 25 faculties and technical schools. 30,000 students are studying there, 3000 of them are foreigners. There are 21 libraries, 18 Scientific-Research Institutes , 29 Scientific- Research Centers and laboratories; investigations are carried out on 74 programs to get the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
The University of Santiago de Compostela wasawarded“Campus of International Excellence” for scientific results achieved in the development of Medical and Marine sciences.
The University takes leading places for the quality of education and scientific researches in “Shanghai Ranking” and “QS World University Ranking” assessment schedules.
Success of the University of Santiago de Compostela, is primarily based on its scientific achievements. The application of scientific research results, I think, is very important factor for both scientists and university, finally for the development of science itself. This University focuses its scientific activity not only on the relevant field, but also on the establishment of a mechanism that would bring financial advantages. In this regard, the University of Santiago de Compostela considers the transfer of scientific research results to the industry as one of the strategic directions of its development and believes that the community of scientific researches of the university and entrepreneurship concept should be created. To this end, the university must demonstrate technical efficiency of scientific results and economic potential to its industrial and financial partners. Santiago de Compostela is the third shrine of Christians after Rome and Jerusalem. It should be noted that everyone everywhere speaks Spanish and Galician. There is less inclination to English or any European language.
One of the campuses located in Santiagode Compostela is associated with medical sciences: specialties are found here ranging from legal regulation of medical services to modeling of medical equipment. Quite a number of scientific investigation institutions, hospitals which serve to this area and the only 3-dimensional diagnostic equipment following all stages of cancer in the region of Galicia are situated in this corpus. It should be noted that this campus was called “Upper-level” for scientific achievements in medical field.
Modern Languages Center, Modern TechnologiesCenter, residential buildings like 2-star hotel (one can not say a hostel!) for students and post-graduates and other administrative and educational buildings in the University of Santiago de Compostelaare entirely pleasurable with their aesthetics and order. The list is too long. Everything indeed deserves attention and respect. But…
When our citizens are abroad, they usually praise to the skies what they see , they say that “we don’t have so”. Dear friends, I tell you in all sincerity and with confidence that: we have the same. Believe me, it is true, and it will be even better! Just watch carefully and you`ll see. In order to appreciate it, hold dear what you see. In order to protect it, just appreciate. They had created this University within 521 years, but we have been doing it for 60 years. Please look around: how much landscaping, planting are being underway; how many laboratories and centers havebeen opened; how many specialties and new opportunities have been created. Let`s rejoice and appreciate it. Today we are altogether putting its foundation.
He, who travels a lot, becomes wise.I don’t consider myself sage, but investigating history, culture and music of Galicia region of Spain, I felt sure that Western and Eastern cultures are so closely connected with each other that it is very difficult to determine where which one begins and where ends. Like its history, the world returns to its initial point. We, the Azerbaijanis, join the joy of everybody and accept the success of everybody as ourselves. Time will pass, our dear students, who knows, 10, 20, 30 years later you`ll come back here from any assignment as an engineer, professor, entrepreneur andyou`ll rejoice at what you see herejust like me.
Nigar Isgandarova, Head of the Department of Foreign Languages, professor,
coordinator of UNIVIA TEMPUS project for SSU
Translator: Ilhama Mammad
