On May 23, a historically important event took place in the sphere of cultural, scientific and humanitarian cooperation between Great Britain and Azerbaijan. A contract was signed about the permanent presence at the Oxford University of the Scientific Center of Azerbaijan and Caucasus named after Nizami Ganjavi.
The signing ceremony took place in the building of Clarendon College, established in the 15th century. The contract was signed by Oxford University Vice-Chancellor Professor Louise Richardson, and from the Azerbaijani side - the rector of the Baku branch of Moscow State University Nargiz Pashayeva.
According to the signed agreement, the Scientific Center of Azerbaijan and Caucasus named after Nizami Ganjavi as a scientific and academic center will function at Oxford University on a permanent basis.
Signed by Professor Nargiz Pashayeva and Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University Louise Richardson, the agreement was the result of the successful work of the Scientific Center of Azerbaijan and Caucasus Studies named after Nizami Ganjavi at Oxford University.
Now the Center for Azerbaijan and Caucasus Studies named after Nizami Ganjavi is unequivocally perceived in international scientific circles as an integral part of Oxford University.
According to one of the points of the signed agreement, the library of the Institute of Oriental Studies of Oxford University is given the name of the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi.
Thus, the signed agreement is a new important stage in the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Great Britain in the scientific, humanitarian and cultural spheres. Undoubtedly, this agreement will be inscribed in gold letters in the history of Azerbaijani science and culture.
Recognition of the Center for Azerbaijan and Caucasus Studies named after Nizami Ganjavi as an integral and permanent part of Oxford University was the logical completion of the five-year activity of this center in the field of history, archeology, literature.
Professor Nargiz Pashayeva, the rector of the Baku branch of the Moscow State University, noted the important role of the scientific center in the study of the historical, cultural and spiritual heritage of Azerbaijan.
"When we came to Oxford University five years ago, we were inspired by a fantastic atmosphere. We had the idea of creating a scientific center for the study of Azerbaijan and the Caucasus, which would be called Nizami. The goal was set that this center of science should become an integral and fundamental part of Oxford University. Azerbaijan had the opportunity to turn its history and culture into an object of study at the University of Oxford. A new path to various scientific approaches, to modern theoretical methodologies and dialogue of talented people has opened. The contract signed today on importance for the scientific and cultural sphere in Azerbaijan can be called the "Contract of the Century". This glorious day is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the ADR and the bright memory of the bright people who created the first Democratic Republic in the Muslim East" she said.
It should be noted that among the post-Soviet Muslim republics Azerbaijan was the first to establish its permanent scientific center at Oxford University. The historical experience of mankind demonstrates that without participation in a large scientific world it is impossible to achieve fundamental scientific achievements.
