Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

“While speaking about the achievements of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences to date and the tasks ahead on the eve of its 80th anniversary, it would be appropriate to first take a look at the history of this scientific institution.”-said the President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Academician Isa Habibbeyli, during an interview with AzərTac.

1923-1945: The preparatory period for the establishment of the Academy

The President of ANAS underlined that the foundation of the Academy was actually laid in 1923 with the establishment of the Society of investigation and study of Azerbaijan: “This organization entered history as the first science-oriented academic institution in Azerbaijan. In 1929, the society was reorganized and named the Azerbaijan State Scientific Research Institute, undertaking certain works in a short period on organization of science.

However, the systematic activity of academic institutions in Azerbaijan began in 1932 with the establishment of the Azerbaijan division of the Transcaucasian branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Following this, scientific sectors were created within the Azerbaijan division, which later evolved into institutes. Since 1935, the Azerbaijan division of the Transcaucasian branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences continued its activity as an independent branch. As a result, the Azerbaijan branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences gained the opportunity to establish scientific institutions and implement major projects. I consider that the Azerbaijan division of the Transcaucasian branch and, the Azerbaijan branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences served as a preparatory stage for the establishment of an independent Academy in our country. During this period, scientists in various scientific fields were trained in Azerbaijan, institutes were formed, and scientific publications were produced. On this foundation, on March 27, 1945, the Azerbaijan SSR Academy of Sciences was established based on the Azerbaijan branch. The first President of the Academy was Mirasadulla Mirgasimov, with academician Shamil Azizbeyov and academician Heydar Huseynov as Vice Presidents, and academician Mirali Gashgay as the Academic Secretary. At the first General Assembly of the Academy on March 31, along with the election of governing bodies, its first Charter was also approved. Thus, the Academy commenced its activities.”

The renaissance period of the Academy and the formation of scientific schools in Azerbaijan

The head of ANAS emphasized that the Academy has always played a central role in the formation of national thought in Azerbaijan, the development and promotion of the idea of Azerbaijanism, as well as in the development and preparation of the scientific foundations of national and spiritual values.

“Even during the Soviet era, national and statehood ideas, ideas of independence were matured and formed within the institutes of the Academy. In this sense, the Academy played a unique role in preparing the Azerbaijani people for national independence. This is one of the Academy’s greatest contributions.”

 “The renaissance period of the Academy’s activity is associated with 1969-1982, when the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev led Azerbaijan. During this period, a number of scientific schools were formed in Azerbaijan,”- said academician Isa Habibbeyli. In this regard, in our republic, fundamental fields of science such as physics, chemistry, and mathematics, as well as schools in literature studies, linguistics, oriental studies, and Turkology had a significant reputation across the former Soviet Union. He highlighted the role of academicians like Yusif Mammadaliyev, Hasan Abdullayev, Zahid Khalilov, Mammad Arif Dadashzade, Mammad Jafar Jafarov, Ziya Bunyadov, Mammadaga Shiraliyev, and other scientists in the formation of these schools, noting that fundamental works were created: “The formation and development of scientific schools in Azerbaijan is one of the greatest achievements of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences in its 80 years. The traditions of these schools are still continued and further developed today.”

Academician Isa Habibbeyli mentioned that the exploration of Azerbaijan’s natural resources and the establishment of the scientific foundations for their utilization are also among the Academy’s achievements. The scientific and theoretical foundations of the economic development of the republic as well as the development of the oil industry were formed by the Academy’s scientists during the Soviet era: “Thus, among the services of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences, the establishment of scientific schools, national independence and formation of Azerbaijanism ideology occupy a leading place.”

The President of ANAS highlighted the Academy’s important role in training a new generation of scientific personnel. “If we are talking about 80 years, we can already see that several generations of academicians and corresponding members have been nurtured within the Academy. We are now preparing to print the book “Similar” (“Prominent Scientists”), which includes encyclopedic information about 427 prominent scholars who have been elected as full members and corresponding members of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences from 1945 to the present. Our distinguished scientists cover all fields of science. Thus, the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences has gifted our society with an army of scientists. This constitutes the core of intellectual potential of Azerbaijan. Today, the full and corresponding members of the Academy work in our country’s higher education system, state institutions, various scientific organizations, and the institutes of ANAS. They preserve, strengthen, and advance the continuity of Azerbaijani science. In our view, this is a magnificent report of the 80-year journey of the Academy.”

Academician Isa Habibbeyli pointed out that current structure and management of scientific research institutes in Azerbaijan are based on 80 years of experience.

The charters as a reflection of the Academy’s stages of development

According to the head of ANAS, the Academy’s Charter is one of the main guiding documents for its development: “The charters of the Academy, prepared in different periods, have contributed to the advancement of scientific thought, the progress of scientific research, and the development of society. Of course, they also reflected the unique characteristics of the time.  For instance, in the 1945-1950 Charter, we observe the features of the Stalin era. In the Charter prepared during the years when the great leader Heydar Aliyev led Azerbaijan, the Academy’s alignment with the development strategy of the allied republic, its compliance to the principles of that strategy, and the expansion of Azerbaijan’s scientific horizons were reflected. Charters are like mirrors of the Academy’s stages of development. In this sense, the Charter approved by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, in 2003 is significant for granting the Academy national status, which is directly associated with the name of Great Leader. Granting national status to the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences specifically means conducting scientific research in line with the interests of the independent state and the national interests of the Azerbaijani people.

The charters of the Academy approved by President Ilham Aliyev in 2014 and 2023 create conditions for conducting research that meets the requirements of the modern stage of state independence and to ensure the modernization of the organization of scientific activity. The great path of development undertaken in Azerbaijan for more than 21 years under the leadership of the President, the accumulated rich experience, and, in particular, the modernization of Azerbaijani society and the implementation of new technologies, necessitate the identification of a model and mechanism that meet the most modern requirements in science. Currently, the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences is restructuring its activity based on the Development Strategy approved by President Ilham Aliyev and the National Priorities he has set. Today, the National Academy of Sciences is going through a process of becoming an Academy that serves the ideals of our independent state, statehood interests, and the national interests of the Azerbaijani people, while establishing and developing its key directions.

The realities of the Academy’s new period

According to the head of ANAS, the Academy also represents global science in Azerbaijan: “It is our duty to study the best practices in world science, bring them to the Academy, and adapt them to our country’s interests. Significant work is underway in this direction. It is no coincidence that since 2023, the Academy has been elected a member of some of the world’s most prestigious academic organizations, including the International Science Council, the Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia, and the InterAcademy Partnership. “Thus, we have gained the opportunity to creatively study and analyze Western scientific experiences, and the Asian model, bringing scientific ideas and experiences that serve the interests of our country to the Academy and further developing them. In my opinion, all of this reflects the realities of the Academy’s new era.”

In recent years, significant steps have been taken in the development of electronic science within our Academy. An electronic science movement has been launched, and for the first time, a Digital Scientific Information Resources System has been established. Our scientific journals have been included into ULAKBIM-DergiPark electronic network of Türkiye. Research on digital development and artificial intelligence is being expanded. Additionally, for the first time, our Academy has also established its own DergiPark electronic network. The Department of the Information Society and Philosophy of the Digital Development has been created at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology.

On March 27, the Academy will celebrate its 80th anniversary. The year 2025 is entirely dedicated to the anniversary of ANAS. The Academy views its 80th anniversary as a significant report of Azerbaijani science to the independent statehood of Azerbaijan. We strive to ensure that our scientists, in return for the great trust placed in them by our state, not only support state policy but also contribute to community-building, the preservation of our national and spiritual values, and the development of our national culture, literature, and language. The collective of Academy considers it an honorable duty to maintain the traditions of Azerbaijani science, protect its goals and reputation, respond to global challenges, and develop our science in alignment with the national interests of the independent Azerbaijan state.

We have called the current period of the Academy as a stage of renewal and reforms. During the recent General Assembly, the Concept for Development and Roadmap of the National Academy of Sciences for 2025-2030 were discussed and adopted. Our primary task ahead is to implement the roadmap, which defines the key directions and objectives of this period of renewal and reforms. The Academy’s scientific community is approaching its 80th anniversary with determination to fulfill the new tasks set by this stage of renewal and reforms.

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

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