Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

A meeting of the Presidium of ANAS was held.

A regular meeting of the Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences took place.

The event was attended by the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, members of the Presidium, heads of departments of the Presidium’s administration, and relevant individuals.

The meeting was opened by Academician Isa Habibbeyli with an introductory speech, providing information on the agenda.

First, Musa Gasimli, corresponding member of ANAS and Deputy Chairman of the Milli Majlis, was awarded the Honorary Decree of ANAS. 

The first issue discussed at the meeting was “2024 Nobel Prize and Laureates: World Science Priorities and the Tasks of Azerbaijani Science.”

Speaking on the matter, Academician Isa Habibbeyli underlined that in November of last year, a conference titled “The Lessons of the Path leading to the Nobel Prize: Myths, Realities, Achievements, and Challenges” was held at ANAS with the participation of prominent scientists and intellectuals. The main goal of the conference was to convey the experiences, contradictions, and coincidences encountered on the path leading to the Nobel Prize to the Azerbaijani scientific community, thus instilling a sense of self-confidence in Nobel Prize contenders in our country. Another key objective was to direct Azerbaijani science, including the research conducted at ANAS, towards priority scientific directions.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli also said that, as part of the ongoing works in this direction, meetings with Nobel Prize laureates Aziz Sancar and Mahammad Yunus were held at ANAS. He pointed out that the next report will be presented at the meeting of the Presidium to study the scientific directions of 2024 Nobel Prize laureates and to direct the research areas of our scientists towards these fields.

Then, the Vice President of ANAS, Academician Dilgam Taghiyev, presented a report titled “2024 Nobel Prize and Laureates: World Science Priorities and the Tasks of Azerbaijani Science.”

The Academician underlined that the names of the Nobel Prize laureates in Physiology and Medicine were announced on October 7. According to the decision of the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute, the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine was awarded to American scientists, Professor Victor Ambros of the University of Massachusetts Medical School and researcher Gary Ruvkun of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks.

Academician Dilgam Taghiyev added that the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to three scientists—David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper—for their studies on proteins. David Baker received the award for computational protein design, while Demis Hassabis and John Jumper for protein structure prediction. The Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to South Korean author Han Kang for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.

The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Nihon Hidankyo, an organization of Atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Professor Daron Acemoglu, Professor Simon Johnson, and Professor James Robinson for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity.

In his report, Academician Dilgam Taghiyev provided detailed information about the research conducted by each of the scientists awarded the Nobel Prize and highlighted the necessity of organizing seminars and roundtable discussions on relevant scientific topics.

Then, Academicians Arif Hashimov, Rasim Aliguliyev, and Irada Huseynova provided information about the research conducted in the scientific research institutes they lead on the scientific directions that have been awarded the Nobel Prize.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli underlined the importance of continuing works in this area to break the myths in the path leading to the Nobel Prize.

A relevant decision was made by the Presidium of ANAS regarding the mentioned issue, and it was decided to publish the report in the “Elm” (“Science”) newspaper and “Elm və həyat” (“Science and Life”) journal of ANAS.

Another issue discussed at the meeting of the Presidium of ANAS was about preparation of “The Development Concept and Roadmap of ANAS for 2025-2030”.

The President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that a multifaceted reform and modernization process has started in the Academy since the end of 2022. As a result of the consistent and comprehensive measures, the structure of the Academy has been fundamentally modernized, the new priorities of science have been aligned with the challenges of global science and the strategic goals of state policy, the participation of science in the implementation of the state’s social, economic, cultural, spiritual, and ideological policy has been significantly strengthened, and international scientific relations have been expanded.

It was underlined that there is a need to prepare “The Development Concept and Roadmap of ANAS for 2025-2030” in accordance with challenges of the modern world, the socio- economic, cultural-spiritual, and ideological priorities of state policy in Azerbaijan, as well as the new goals, directions of activity, and tasks determined in the Charter of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

“The main goal of the document to be prepared is to make significant scientific contribution to Azerbaijan’s progress, taking into account global trends, within the framework of Azerbaijan’s strategic development plan. Enhancing the intellectual capabilities of society and ensuring social usefulness should be considered one of the principal tasks. Additionally, the ties among social and humanitarian sciences-philosophy, history, philology, cultural studies, folklore, art studies, political sciences, and other fields should be elevated to a new level. The main principle here should focus on increasing the role of science in the sustainable development of the country, emphasizing Azerbaijanism and independent statehood”-said Academician Isa Habibbeyli.

Vice-President of ANAS, Academician Rasim Aliguliyev made a speech at the meeting, sharing his opinions and suggestions on the matter.

At the meeting, a relevant Commission and a Working Group were established to prepare “The Development Concept and Roadmap of ANAS for 2025-2030”.

The next issue discussed at the event was about the preparation of reports on the results of the scientific research conducted in 2024 at the institutes of ANAS. Academician Isa Habibbeyli said that the reports would first be heard in departments, then sequentially in the Scientific Councils of the institutions, the scientific divisions of ANAS, and at a meeting of the Presidium. He gave instructions regarding the high-quality preparation of the reports, as well as the organization of an exhibition of monographic publications and articles published in impact factor journals.

Then, the head of the Science and Education Department of the administration of the Presidium of ANAS, Doctor of philology, Sarkhan Khaveri read the decision regarding the mentioned issue. He said that the reporting meetings will begin on October 27 and will be discussed in the Scientific Councils and scientific departments of the Academy until the end of December, and in January, it will be presented for discussion by the Presidium. Sarkhan Khaveri also mentioned that the reports will be summarized and presented for discussion by the scientific community at the General Assembly of ANAS, which will take place in February. 

Sarkhan Khaveri presented information on the areas covered by the reports in slide format.

The Presidium made a relevant decision regarding the mentioned issue.

During the meeting, discussions were held regarding the joint scientific project competitions between ANAS and TÜBİTAK. Academician Isa Habibbeyli said that based on paragraph 5 of the protocol on cooperation in the fields of science and technology, signed between ANAS and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) on February 28, 2024, a joint project competition was announced for the period from August 6 to November 5, 2024, between scientific institutions of ANAS and science and education organizations of Türkiye. The competition covers topics including urbanization, city and regional planning (sustainable cities), intercultural interaction, research on language unity, economics (including circular economy and development issues), seismology, and digital transformation (in the humanities and social sciences).

The President of ANAS underlined that preparing joint project proposals and conducting collaborative research by the Academy’s scientific institutions with the relevant institutions of Türkiye is one of the main challenges of our time. The head of ANAS gave instructions regarding the active participation of our scientists in the project. 

The head of the Science and Education Department of the administration of the Presidium of ANAS, Doctor of philology, Sarkhan Khaveri presented statistical information on the results of the admission to doctoral studies for the preparation of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Sciences at ANAS for the year 2024.

He noted that “Admission Plans for Doctoral Training of Higher Education Institutions, Scientific Institutions, and Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2024” were approved by the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated March 27, 2024. He also said that the admission to doctoral studies at ANAS was conducted in accordance with the decision of the Presidium of ANAS dated April 3, 2024, and the decrees of the President of ANAS dated July 2, 2024, and September 25, 2024. The candidates for admission to doctoral studies for the preparation of PhD and Doctor of Sciences degrees in accordance with the planned positions at the scientific institutions and organizations of ANAS, along with their dissertation topics and scientific supervisors (consultants), have been determined by the Scientific Councils of the institutes, and relevant decisions have been made. A petition has been submitted to the scientific departments of ANAS regarding this matter. The petitions regarding admission to doctoral studies for the preparation of PhD and Doctor of Sciences degrees, as well as additional admissions, in the Humanities and Social Sciences Departments of ANAS, including the Ganja Branch, have been discussed by the scientific councils of the departments, and appropriate decisions have been made. These decisions have been submitted to the Science and Education Department of the Presidium administration of ANAS with the aim of raising the matter before the Presidium of ANAS.

The head of the department reported the results of the admission to doctoral studies for Ph.D. and Doctor of Sciences at ANAS for the year 2024.

Later, the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli presented information about his participation in the international symposium titled “Fuzuli and the Turkic World” held in Ankara, Türkiye. He said that the international symposium took place in Ankara from October 8 to 11 and jointly organized by ANAS, the Institute of Manuscripts of ANAS named after Mahammad Fuzuli, Gazi University of Türkiye and the Azerbaijani Cultural Center under the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Türkiye, where significant presentations were delivered.

Another discussion at the meeting of the Presidium of ANAS was held regarding the preparation of the volume “Chinghiz Aitmatov and Azerbaijan” of the “Chinghiz Aitmatov Encyclopedia”.

The President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli mentioned that Chinghiz Aitmatov is one of the prominent figures of the Turkic world, having made significant contributions to enriching the literature of Turkic peoples with new content and ideas. He emphasized that there has always been great interest in Chinghiz Aitmatov’s personality and his rich artistic heritage in Azerbaijan. National Leader Heydar Aliyev referred to Chinghiz Aitmatov as the “Honorary of the Turkic World”. President Ilham Aliyev presented the first “Friendship” order to Chinghiz Aitmatov in 2008, and on April 24, 2024, a statue of Chinghiz Aitmatov was unveiled in Baku with the participation of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.

At the meeting, it was decided to establish an Editorial Board to ensure the preparation of the volume “Chinghiz Aitmatov and Azerbaijan” of  the “Chinghiz Aitmatov Encyclopedia”, taking into account the significant contributions of the great son of the Kyrgyz people to the development of Azerbaijani-Kyrgyz literary and cultural relations.

Additionally, decisions were made regarding the improvement of the structure of the Folklore Institute of ANAS, the approval of the structure of the Central Scientific Library of ANAS, the results of the participation of the Vice President of ANAS, Academician Ibrahim Guliyev, in the meeting of the International Association of Academies of Sciences, and the results of the visit of Academician Arif Hashimov, the academic secretary of ANAS to the Russian Federation.

Furthermore, Academician Arif Hashimov presented information on the planning of scientific research works for the year 2025 at ANAS.

The meeting also discussed the establishment of a Department of Gerontology Research within the structure of the Lenkaran Regional Scientific Center of ANAS, by internal resources.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated that long-term gerontological research conducted in the Southern region has revealed that the longevity index in this area is higher compared to other regions of the republic. He emphasized that studying the phenomenon of longevity in the Southern region is of great importance, as it serves as a clearer indicator of the effects of both socio-biological and ecological factors on the human organism.

Taking this into account, a Gerontological Research Department has been established within the structure of the Lenkaran Regional Scientific Center of ANAS by the internal capabilities of the center.

Subsequently, discussions were held about establishing a Department of the Turkic History of Art and Cultural Heritage at the Institute of Architecture and Art of ANAS by internal resources.

The President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli underlined that throughout history, various Turkic-origin peoples and ethnic groups spread across different areas passing through Azerbaijan, establishing and developing their own cultures. In later periods of the historical process, cultural ties between Azerbaijan and neighboring Turkic peoples continued, resulting in similarities in artistic styles. This can be clearly seen in architecture, visual and decorative-applied arts, and musical culture. In the modern period, Azerbaijani art significantly influenced the culture of neighboring Turkic peoples, contributing to their development.

The head of ANAS emphasized that centuries-old interconnections, similarities in artistic styles, and contemporary scientific and cultural relations have led to the emergence of large-scale artworks, architectural examples, and historical-theoretical materials. 

It was noted that there is a need to establish the Department of the Turkic History of Art and Cultural Heritage at the Institute of Architecture and Art of ANAS for the systematic study and analysis of these materials, as well as their classification.

By the decision of the Presidium, the Department of the Turkic History of Art and Cultural Heritage was established at the Institute of Architecture and Art of ANAS, by internal resources and in accordance with the existing staffing table (units).

Later, a number of personnel matters were addressed. Due to his transfer to another job, Musa Gasimli, the director of the Institute of Caucasian Studies of ANAS, corresponding member of ANAS, was released from his position at his own request. The execution of the duties of the director of the institute has been entrusted to the deputy director for scientific affairs, Doctor of Political Sciences Ramila Dadashova.  

In addition, based on the election held at the meeting of the Scientific Council of the Humanities Division of ANAS on October 7, 2024, PhD in Art Studies Khazar Zeynalov has been approved for the position of Deputy Director for Scientific Affairs at the Institute of Architecture and Art of ANAS.

At the meeting, decisions were also made regarding the 70th anniversary of Academician Govkhar Bakhshaliyeva, the 85th anniversary of Academician Vagif Farzaliyev, and the 90th anniversary of corresponding member of ANAS Elmira Ramazanova.

Several current issues were discussed in conclusion.

Reyhan Majidli, Public Relations, Press and Information Department of the Presidium Administration of ANAS

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