Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

A scientific conference dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Honorary Member of ANAS, Nobel laureate, Professor Aziz Sancar, was held in the conference hall of the Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS).

The event was jointly organized by the Division of Biological and Medical Sciences of ANAS and the Science Popularization Department of the Office of the Presidium of ANAS. The conference was attended by President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli; Musa Urud, Chair of the Labor and Social Policy Committee of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, PhD in Medicine; Alptekin Cihangir İşbilir, Press Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Azerbaijan; Elgun Samadov, Adviser to the Minister of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Professor Malahat Sultanova, Vice-Rector of Azerbaijan Medical University; members of the Presidium of ANAS; directors of scientific institutions and organizations; and other relevant officials.

Nobel laureate Professor Aziz Sancar and Professor Adalat Muradov, Rector of Azerbaijan State University of Economics, joined the conference online.

Opening the conference, Academician Isa Habibbeyli warmly congratulated, on behalf of the Azerbaijani scientific community and the Academy staff, Nobel laureate Professor Aziz Sancar, a prominent Turkish scientist and professor at the University of North Carolina, on being awarded the “Shohrat” Order by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated that the high appreciation given by the head of state to the achievements of Aziz Sancar, a son of the Turkish nation, is both an important event serving to further strengthen scientific relations between Azerbaijan and Türkiye and a vivid demonstration of the opportunities created by the state for the integration of Azerbaijani science into the global scientific community through the example of the world-renowned scientist Aziz Sancar.

The President of ANAS noted that this award also represents an important step toward nurturing and educating followers of Aziz Sancar and devoted representatives of this great path in the Turkic World and Azerbaijan. The Academician emphasized that, for all these reasons, representatives of Azerbaijani science and members of the Azerbaijani scientific community express their profound gratitude to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the high appreciation he has given to the work of Aziz Sancar, regarded as a source of pride for the Turkic World.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that Aziz Sancar’s scientific discoveries in the decoding of DNA codes, particularly in the unique field of DNA repair, have received high recognition from the international community. The Academician stated that the scientist’s receipt of the Nobel Prize in 2015 represented the international recognition of the path he had pursued over many years—from his time at Istanbul University to his work at the University of Texas and Yale University—as well as his research efforts and courageous scientific achievements.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that various methodologies have so far been proposed for the treatment of cancer, one of the greatest scourges facing humanity. He emphasized that, rather than repeating previous inventions and discoveries, Aziz Sancar opened an entirely new scientific field focused on the biochemical treatment of cancer.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that in 2024, Professor Aziz Sancar accepted the Academy’s invitation and visited Azerbaijan, and that the week-long series of events at the time became known as “Aziz Sancar Week” and left a particularly memorable impression. He stated that the meetings and discussions held at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, as well as the visit to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic together with Aziz Sancar, were memorable events. The speaker emphasized that the meetings held during that week at Baku State University, UNEC, ADA University, Azerbaijan Medical University, and other institutions represented a practical expression of the significant contribution made by Aziz Sancar, a great son of the Turkish nation, to the advancement of Azerbaijani science.

At the same time, Aziz Sancar’s presentation entitled “Science Policy of the Turkic World: Realities and Challenges”, delivered before representatives of the public at the Grand Assembly Hall of ANAS, clearly outlined the priorities of science in Azerbaijan and the Turkic World, as well as the pathways for its future development. The Academician emphasized that comparing the Turkic World with the People’s Republic of China and the scientific processes taking place there, while taking into account the full potential of the Turkic World, and presenting the Chinese model as an example for the scientific development of the Turkic World through concrete examples and figures, became an important starting point for scientists to reconsider and reshape their activities.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that, according to Aziz Sancar, the scientists of the Turkic World can advance in science by integrating, working on joint projects, and uniting to strengthen the role and position of the Turkic World in 21st-century science and scientific development, following the example of China. He stated that this constitutes Aziz Sancar’s concept and model for the development of the Turkic World.

He noted that ANAS currently maintains close relations with brotherly Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Kirkuk. The Academician stated that relations with academic institutions and research organizations in the countries of the Turkic World are developing every day. Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that this is an example of Azerbaijani science wholeheartedly contributing to the path opened and defined by Aziz Sancar.

On behalf of the Azerbaijani scientific community, Academician Isa Habibbeyli warmly congratulated Aziz Sancar, Professor at the University of North Carolina in the United States, a distinguished representative of brotherly Türkiye, a Nobel laureate who has demonstrated profound respect for his country, his language, and the entire Turkic World, on the 80th anniversary of his birth and on being awarded the “Shohrat” Order by the head of state, and wished him good health.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli then read out the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on awarding Aziz Sancar the “Shohrat” Order to the participants of the event.

Speaking at the event, Nobel laureate Professor Aziz Sancar expressed his gratitude to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva for recognizing his contributions and awarding him the “Shohrat” Order.

Stating that he has devoted his efforts to serving science in the Turkic World, Professor Aziz Sancar emphasized that the Azerbaijani soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Karabakh had also made sacrifices for the cause of Turkic identity to the same extent as he had. He noted that Karabakh has always held a special place in his heart and stated that the liberation of Karabakh was a turning point for him as well as for the Turkic World.

Professor Aziz Sancar emphasized that, following the Republic of Türkiye’s liberation of its territory from the enemy in 1922 and Azerbaijan’s liberation of Karabakh from occupation in 2020, the Turkic World has now secured its homelands. He noted that the main task ahead is to create science and reach the level of advanced states in the field of civilization and in civilization itself. In this regard, he emphasized the importance of never forgetting the sons, brothers, martyrs, and veterans who made sacrifices during the Karabakh war.

The scientist noted that the Turkic World has highly talented young people and that, by providing these young people with opportunities, directing them toward science, and encouraging their work, it is possible to bring the Turkic World to the highest level of scientific advancement in the world.

Nobel laureate Aziz Sancar stressed the importance of teaching children from an early age to conduct scientific experiments and ask questions, as well as the necessity of providing equal educational opportunities to girls and boys.

Professor Aziz Sancar explained that, when referring to the Turkic states, he envisages strengthening cooperation among universities, research centers, think tanks, and scientists in Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. He noted that think tanks establishing a strong bridge between scientific knowledge and decision-making processes is important for the future of the Turkic World.

Aziz Sancar expressed his hope that the gathering held in Baku would contribute to further strengthening cooperation in science, education, and technology throughout the Turkic World and concluded his speech by saying, “May God protect the Turkic nation.”

Speaking at the event, Alptekin Cihangir İşbilir, Press Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Azerbaijan, conveyed greetings to the participants on behalf of Birol Akgün, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to Azerbaijan. He said that the conference focused on a person who demonstrates the power of science and serves as a role model for future generations. The speaker noted that Aziz Sancar had traveled an honorable path from a district of Mardin to some of the most prominent positions in the world. The Press Counselor emphasized that his unwavering determination and dedication to hard work were fundamental to Aziz Sancar’s achievements.

He stated that the main characteristic that makes Nobel laureate Professor Aziz Sancar special and important is his attachment to his homeland, land, and roots. Noting that President Ilham Aliyev has always highly valued Aziz Sancar’s achievements, Alptekin Cihangir İşbilir expressed his confidence that similar scientists would emerge in the Turkic World in the future.

He stated that Aziz Sancar has already transcended the borders of Türkiye and Azerbaijan and become a shared scientific figure of the entire Turkic World. He noted that awarding the “Shohrat” Order to the scientist is a significant manifestation of the high value attached to science as well as to Turkish-Azerbaijani brotherhood. The Press Counselor emphasized that Aziz Sancar’s name has already been immortalized during his lifetime by being given to medals, airports, and streets.

Following the opening speeches, a video highlighting the life and scientific career of Professor Aziz Sancar was shown.

Academician Irada Huseynova, Vice-President of ANAS and Acting Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, then delivered a presentation entitled “Professor Aziz Sancar: Life Journey, Scientific Legacy, and Contributions to World Science.”

Beginning her speech by proudly recalling that, by an Order of the head of state, Aziz Sancar had been awarded the “Shohrat” Order for his outstanding services in strengthening Azerbaijan’s international scientific and humanitarian cooperation, Academician Irada Huseynova emphasized that this decision represents a high appreciation of the science and unity of the Turkic World.

Academician Irada Huseynova noted that Aziz Sancar was born on September 8, 1946, in the Savur district of Mardin Province, Türkiye, into a large and hardworking family. Although his parents had no formal education, they placed great importance on their children’s education. The Academician particularly noted that the belief in education held by his mother, Mrs. Meryem, played an important role in shaping young Aziz’s character.

She emphasized that Aziz Sancar, who entered the Faculty of Medicine of Istanbul University in 1963 and graduated at the top of his class in 1969, developed his scientific interest during his student years while studying the double-helix structure of DNA. Academician Irada Huseynova stated that, after completing his education, Sancar returned to his native Savur and worked as a rural physician for 18 months, providing free medical services. However, his desire to understand the molecular causes of diseases and find answers to the question “why?” led him back to fundamental science.

“Being awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2015 for the molecular-level discovery of the mechanisms of DNA repair—specifically nucleotide excision repair—was the culmination of decades of hard work. Sancar not only elucidated the mechanism but also mapped DNA repair across the human genome, known as the ‘Piri Reis map,’ and demonstrated the important role of circadian rhythms in the treatment of cancer through chronotherapy,” Academician Irada Huseynova noted.

Academician Irada Huseynova emphasized that Aziz Sancar has always remained attached to his roots and recalled that he presented his Nobel medal and diploma at Anıtkabir in memory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. She also recalled that, together with his wife, Gwen Sancar, he established the Turkish House of Carolina and the Sancar Cultural Center in Chapel Hill with the aim of supporting young people studying abroad.

Irada Huseynova particularly highlighted Aziz Sancar’s visits to Azerbaijan, his meetings with President Ilham Aliyev, his participation in the TEKNOFEST Azerbaijan festival, and his memorable meetings with scientists and students at the Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Molecular Biology. She also recalled his advice addressed to young people.

Concluding her speech, Academician Irada Huseynova noted that Aziz Sancar’s life journey is the most vivid embodiment of the philosophy of “Hard Work, Science, and Loyalty” and that his scientific legacy will continue to guide future generations.

The conference also featured speeches by Musa Urud, Chair of the Labor and Social Policy Committee of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, PhD in Medicine; Professor Adalat Muradov, Rector of Azerbaijan State University of Economics; Elgun Samadov, Adviser to the Minister of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan; and Professor Malahat Sultanova, Vice-Rector of Azerbaijan Medical University. They highlighted Professor Aziz Sancar’s extensive scientific activities, his love for Azerbaijan, and his recommendations for advancing science in the Turkic World.

Following the speeches, the “Aziz Sancar Badge of Honor” of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences was presented to Academician Irada Huseynova, PhD in Medicine Musa Urud, and Professor Adalat Muradov.

At the end of the event, a group photograph was taken.

Translation by Gulhane Aghayeva, Department of Public Relations, Press, and Information, Presidium of ANAS.

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