On November 18, the 60th anniversary of Sumgayit State University was solemnly celebrated at the Sumgayit State Drama Theater.

The anniversary ceremony was attended by the Minister of Science and Education Mr. Emin Amrullayev, the head of the Sumgayit City Executive Power Zakir Farajov, members of the Milli Majlis, rectors of higher schools, social and political figures, and university professors and teachers.

First, a photo exhibition reflecting the activities of the university in different periods was viewed in the lobby related to the 60th anniversary of Sumgayit State University.

At the event, the National Anthem was played and the memory of the martyrs of the Patriotic War was commemorated with a minute of silence.

Honored artist Jalal Mammadov and Parvin Askerli led the event, and the speech was given to the rector of the university professor Elkhan Huseynov.

The rector expressed his gratitude to the state and government officials, members of the Milli Majlis, scientists from different countries of the world, university rectors who were invited to the 60th anniversary of Sumgayit State University for their participation in the ceremony and spoke about the development path of SSU in the past 60 years, its international relations,the achievements and the tasks ahead. The Rector stated that Sumgayit State University, which was founded in 1962 is taking successful steps by benefiting from advanced international experience, the successes of the national education system, and its 60-year-old traditions. From the time of its establishment, the university has always carried out its duties properly, and has successfully implemented the work of training scientific and pedagogical staff for a number of other countries as well as our republic. The steps taken on the basis of high attention and purposeful instructions of the head of state, the implemented state programs serve to obtain new trends of development in the education system and achieve high results. This makes important contributions to the development and improvement of the national cadre potential in our country in terms of quantity and quality. Important decisions were made by the head of state in the field of increasing the accessibility of higher education, improving the social protection of students, training highly qualified and professional personnel in the country, and forming a competitive environment in higher education.

Higher education institutions have very responsible tasks in order to define and implement the main perspectives of the development of Azerbaijan education based on national and human traditions. The task of higher education institutions is not only to train professional personnel, but also to train citizens who are worthy of their state and nation in the true sense of the word. Like all higher education institutions of our republic, Sumgayit State University has its own way. Professor Elkhan Huseynov also noted that over the years, Sumgait State University has become a prestigious scientific and educational center of the country and the region thanks to the historical services of the great leader Heydar Aliyev, and the attention and care of his political successor Ilham Aliyev.

Rector professor Elkhan Huseynov emphasized that today we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the university with great joy and pride as citizens of the victorious state whose lands were freed from occupation. In winning this victory, like all young people of Azerbaijan, graduates and students of Sumgayit State University showed a unique example of heroism and perseverance. The collective of SSU commemorates the dear memory of each of these heroes - who rose to the peak of martyrdom and veterans - with high respect and reverence, and always holds their honorable names high.

In his speech professor Elkhan Huseynov also emphasized that a group of SSU employees were awarded the honorary title of "Honored Teacher" and the "Taraggi" medal by the relevant Orders of the President Mr. Ilham Aliyev. On behalf of the university staff, the rector expressed deep gratitude to the head of state for the high awards.

A video about the activities of Sumgayit State University and its achievements was shown.

Congratulating the staff of the educational institution on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the university, the Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Emin Amrullayev congratulated the employees who were awarded by the Decree of the President of the country, presented the highest state awards to their owners.

Teacher's hard work is always highly valued our state takes care of improving the financial condition and well-being of educational workers. This stimulates educational employees to work more responsibly and honestly. The minister also emphasized that Sumgayit State University has gained significant achievements in the field of specialist training for Sumgayit city and the region, which has undergone great development during the past period and is the industrial center of Azerbaijan.It is successfully continuing its mission of training professional cadre, I am sure that this institution of higher education with 60 years of experience will continue to make its contribution to the training of competitive specialists with high professionalism and according to modern global challenges and to the formation of a scientific and intellectual environment.

Then the Decrees of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Sumgayit State University the list of employees were read who were awarded   the badge of the Ministry of Science and Education "Advanced Education Worker of the Republic of Azerbaijan" and the Order of Honor for their services in the development of education in Azerbaijan.

The head of the Sumgayit City Executive Power Zakir Farajov    participated in the event, congratulated the entire university staff on the occasion of the anniversary. The Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan greeted Emin Amrullayev and the guests of honor and expressed his pleasure to see them in the city of Sumgait.

 Zakir Farajov stated that only higher education institution of Sumgayit has the right to be proud of its history, can demonstrate its achievements today along with advanced higher education institutions. The material and technical capabilities of the university are getting stronger, its international relations are constantly expanding and it represents our city in the world.

The head of the Sumgayit City Executive Power Zakir Farajov noted that a group of employees of SSU was awarded an Honorary diploma and presented the gift to the rector of the university professor Elkhan Huseynov.

Congratulatory letters were read at the ceremony dedicated to the 60th anniversary of SSU.

The Rector of the Ufa State Oil Technical University of the Russian Federation associate professor Oleg Baulin spoke about the place of the Sumgayit State University in the field of science and education and its role in the formation of its intellectual environment, congratulated the university management and staff on the occasion of its 60th anniversary and wished them new achievements.

Oleg Baulin noted that close many-branched relations between Sumgayit State University and Ufa State Oil Technical University were established after the foundation of the Association of Russian-Azerbaijani Universities. Currently, these relations are being successfully continued.

The Minister of Education of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Mr. Rahman Mammadov participated in the ceremony, spoke about the place of Sumgait State University in the field of science and education and its role in the formation of the intellectual environment in the city , congratulated the university management and staff on the occasion of the 60th anniversary and wished them new achievements.

Speaking at the event, Song Guangxiao, the official representative of Hexi University of China in Azerbaijan, said that the sincere relations between the two countries have entered a new level in our modern times, so that the relations between Azerbaijan and China are developing on a rising line. Congratulating SSU on its 60th anniversary, Song Guangxiao wished successes to the university staff.

Professor of Hacettepe University of the Republic of Turkey Honorary doctor of Sumgayit State University Shukru Haluk Akalın also congratulated the university staff on its 60th anniversary and presented his gift to Mr. Elkhan Huseynov.

At the end of the event, the anthem of the university was played.