On November 13, a Republican scientific conference was held on the topic “Actual problems of the state-building process in the Republic of Azerbaijan” at Sumgayit State University (SSU) within the framework of the “Year of Constitution and Sovereignty”. The conference was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS). Tofig Pashayev, member of the Judicial and Legal Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Sumgayit Court of Appeal, Academician-Secretary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Academician Arif Hashimov, representatives of the leading higher education institutions of the republic, the administration of Sumgayit State University, faculty, doctoral and master's students attended at the conference. Participants of the conference first laid flowers in front of the bust of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev that erected in the lobby of the university. The dear memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and our martyrs was commemorated with a minute of silence and the National Anthem of Republic of Azerbaijan was played during the conference that continued in the Grand Assembly Hall of the university. Acting rector of Sumgayit State University, corresponding member of ANAS, professor Aminaga Sadigov opened the conference with an introductory speech and kindly greeted the guests and participants. He noted that at the university one of the many events held within the framework of the "Year of Constitution and Sovereignty" is today’s conference. He emphasized that the conference is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and the "Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty" and it is of great importance. He pointed out that the provisions of the first Constitution of Republic of Azerbaijan which prepared with the leadership of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and adopted by popular vote on November 12, 1995 were discussed exactly here, at the Academy. He stated that the Constitution of Azerbaijan encompasses the highest, humanistic and democratic values. A.Sadigov also talked about the important steps taken during the years of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev’s leadership in terms of development of science, especially ANAS. He noted that the most significant period of Academy of Sciences coincided with the years of the leadership of Great Leader. Professor Aminaga Sadigov recalled the words of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev: “The Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences is the national wealth of our people. We must preserve this wealth.” and noted that he has first started his labor activity in ANAS and spent 35 years of his life to this scientific institution. He expressed his pride in remembering the date that Great Leader met with the administration and significant scientists of the Academy. Pointing out the speech of President Ilham Aliyev in the ceremony dedicated to the 80th anniversary of ANAS, he also brought to the attention important issues such as the main aspects of scientific and cultural policy, study of historical truths, preserve of the language and cultural heritage of our country. He noted that the strategic importance of science and education in the context of global challenges in the state building process is of great significance.
Then Member of the Judicial and Legal Council of Azerbaijan Republic, Chairman of Sumgayit Appeal Court, Tofig Pashayev emphasized that, the adoption of the first Constitution which was prepared under the leadership of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, by a nationwide vote on November 12, 1995 is a huge service in front of the Azerbaijan statehood. It was noted that the Basic Law establishes such achievements as protecting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, achieving democratization of society and establishment of civil society, establishing a legal, secular state that ensures the rule of law, etc. He pointed out the 30th anniversary of the Basic Law with a great joy, glorious Victory that our brave Army won in the Patriotic War under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, allowed for the full restoration of Azerbaijan's sovereignty and the implementation of the Constitution throughout the country.
He talked about the historical development periods of statehood building in the Republic of Azerbaijan, modern management mechanisms, issues of judicial power and selection of judges, also touched upon that Decrees and Orders signed by President Ilham Aliyev due to the improvement of the courts. He highlighted the meetings held with Sumgayit State University.
Academician-secretary of Azerbaijan National Academy of Science, academician, Arif Hashimov gave a speech and noted that to celebrate the 80th anniversary of ANAS at the state level by the Order of President Ilham Aliyev is a clear example of special attention and respect shown to science and scientists by the head of the state. He gave extensive information about the history of Academy’s establishment, and its prominent scientists and founders who played an important role in its forming. Academician noted that Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences have passed a rich development path. Over these years, Azerbaijan science raised internationally known scientists, and research directions. The scientific achievements, inventions and discoveries achieved, in addition to strengthening the scientific potential of the country, have also been successfully applied in the industrial and production sectors. He drew attention to the fact that, with the close participation and support of prominent scientists of ANAS, in 1962, in Sumgayit, the center of the country's chemical industry, it began to operate as a branch of the Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute in order to meet the demand for highly qualified engineering personnel, and in 1992, it was renamed the Azerbaijan Industrial Institute, and in 2000, it was established as Sumgayit State University by the relevant Decree of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev. He highly appreciated the holding of the anniversary event at Sumgayit State University, considering it an important indicator of the integration of science and education.
At the plenary session of the conference, reports were heard on the topics of "A new stage in the state-building of Azerbaijan" by the leading researcher of the A.A.Bakikhanov Institute of History and Ethnology of ANAS, associate professor Anvar Mammadov, and "State-building in the Republic of Azerbaijan in the post-conflict period: reintegration of the Karabakh region" by the senior lecturer of the Department of History, Geography and Methodology of SSU, Doctor of Philosophy in History Leyla Aliyeva.
After the official part, the "Sema" dance group, consisting of university students, presented interesting performances. The conference continued its work in section meetings.