On November 7, Sumgayit State University (SSU), together with the Sumgayit City Executive Power and the National Defense University, held a scientific-practical conference on the theme “Karabakh Victory: Unity of People, Leader and Army” dedicated to the fifth anniversary of Victory Day. The conference was attended by the leadership of Sumgayit State University, faculty and students, as well as the head of the Sumgayit City Executive Power Zakir Farajov and the advisor to the rector of the National Defense University, Lieutenant General Heydar Piriyev and other high-ranking officers, Sumgayit Military Prosecutor, Colonel of Justice Agakishi Ajalov, Head of the Sumgayit City Main Department of the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription, Major General Natig Garayev, Hero of the Patriotic War, Colonel Ragif Israyilov, and family members of the martyrs.
The participants of the event first laid flowers in front of the bust of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev erected in the university lobby and the memorial monument to the students-graduates who rose to the peak of martyrdom. Then, a review of the competition-exhibition "In the footsteps of the Victors" consisting of drawings and handicrafts of students on the occasion of Victory Day was held. During the official part of the event, the memory of the Great Leader and martyrs was commemorated with a minute of silence and the National Anthem was played. The video clip "Victory" was shown afterwards.
The conference was opened by the acting rector of the university, corresponding member of ANAS, professor Aminaga Sadigov, who sincerely congratulated President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, the brave Azerbaijani Army and all the Azerbaijani people on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of Victory Day and conveyed his best wishes. He spoke about the military-building policy, which was founded on the initiative and leadership of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, and the important work done to form a strong and professional army in the country. Professor Aminaga Sadigov emphasized that this policy is successfully continued today by the President, the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, and thanks to his decisive leadership, the Azerbaijani Army has become the most powerful military force in the region. He also noted that the main support of our victory rests on three important pillars - the Azerbaijani people, a wise leader and a heroic army. According to him, no state and army can succeed without a commander. “We are a happy people that we have a wise, decisive and far-sighted Supreme Commander-in-Chief like Mr. Ilham Aliyev,” Professor Aminaga Sadigov emphasized. He noted that the 44-day Patriotic War was a modern scientific and technological war, and Azerbaijan passed this test with dignity. “Today, we have highly qualified specialists in all fields. The National Defense University trains professional personnel to strengthen the country's defense potential,” he added. He also said that the Azerbaijani people demonstrated their heroism and unity to the whole world. Today, as in all regions of our country, a series of events dedicated to Victory Day are being held at Sumgayit State University, and these events serve to further strengthen the sense of national pride among young people. He also emphasized that during the 44-day Patriotic War, the Azerbaijani people acted as a united force like the “Iron Fist”, and thanks to the unity of the state, people and army, the historic Victory was won. Aminaga Sadigov also spoke about the activities of production enterprises in Sumgayit during the 44-day Patriotic War and the attention and care shown by the city administration to the families of martyrs.
Zakir Farajov, the head of the Sumgayit City Executive Power, made a speech and noted that Victory Day is a magnificent holiday written in golden letters in the history of the Azerbaijani people and will be celebrated for centuries. He congratulated the conference participants on this occasion. At the beginning of his speech, the Chief Executive emphasized that Sumgayit State University, as the only higher education institution in the city, has become the brand of Sumgayit, and as one of the country's prestigious higher education institutions, it plays an important role in the political, social, and cultural life of the city. Zakir Farajov, speaking about the historical roots of this war, emphasized that during the leadership of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev in 1969–1982, Azerbaijan, which had lagged behind in many areas, had made great progress in a short time, which caused concern for the then USSR leadership and, as a result, Heydar Aliyev was removed from office. He noted that after Heydar Aliyev left the leadership, the Azerbaijani people faced severe trials - the Sumgayit events, the January 20 tragedy, the Khojaly genocide, and the occupation of 20 percent of our lands left deep traces in the memory of our people. However, at the insistent demand of the people, the Great Leader returned to power, and as a result of his far-sighted policy, stability was restored in the country, and significant achievements were achieved in the economic, diplomatic and social spheres. The head of state also noted that today the political line of the Great Leader is being successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev. The head of state is achieving great achievements in all areas - in the economy, industry, army building and the international arena. He also emphasized that the path to the historical Victory of Azerbaijan was possible precisely as a result of the resolute leadership of the President, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the heroism of the Azerbaijani Army and the unshakable unity of our people. In his speech, he highly appreciated the attention and care shown by President Ilham Aliyev in the development of the city of Sumgayit. He noted that in recent years, large-scale development, construction and infrastructure projects have been implemented in the city, and significant successes have been achieved in the industrial and social spheres. The head of state noted that the main goal ahead is to turn Sumgayit into an even more modern, sustainable and green city. Then, the Scientific Advisor to the Rector of the National Defense University, Professor, Lieutenant General Heydar Piriyev, the Vice Rector of the same university, Professor Ibrahim Ethem Atnur, and the hero of the Patriotic War, Colonel Ragif Israyilov, delivered speeches. In their speeches, the speakers spoke about the historic Victory achieved in the 44-day Patriotic War and the large-scale reforms implemented by Azerbaijan in the field of army building. They emphasized that November 8 - Victory Day is a holiday of pride and unity not only for the Azerbaijani people, but also for the entire Turkic world. This Victory was assessed as an important historical event in strengthening solidarity, national identity and common values among the Turkic states. After the speeches, the winners of the essay competition "Karabakh Victory", the "Victory Tournament 2025" mini-football competition and the "In the footsteps of the Winners" painting exhibition-competition dedicated to Victory Day at the university were awarded with honorary certificates and valuable gifts. Finally, the conference continued with the artistic part. The students performed poems and songs dedicated to the Motherland, Victory, and our heroic martyrs, and an artistic composition was demonstrated.