Vasil Razumovsky memorial tablet unveiled in Yessentuki

A memorial tablet of the outstanding Russian scientist, the first rector of Baku State University, Vasili Razumovsky, was unveiled in Yessentuki today by the rector of BSU Abel Maharramov and the mayor of Yessentuki, Alexander Nekristov.

Alexander Nekristov described Razumovsky as a great man and a true associate of science. "This man has played a special role in the history of Yessentuki and the development of Caucasian Mineral Waters as a resort and a scientific rehabilitation center. He is remembered in Tbilisi, Baku, Kazan and Saratov," the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza cited him as saying.

Abel Maharramov, in his turn, said that today is "a historic day" for the university, congratulating the university staff on this event and conveying best greetings to Russia. The rector said that Vasiliy Razumovsky was one of the founders and the first rector of Saratov State University, the rector of the University of the Transcaucasus, and then one of the founders and the first rector of Baku State University.

He said that Professor Razumovsky was in the Caucasus in the spring of 1917, when he was appointed surgeon of the Caucasian Army and arrived in Tbilisi. "After overcoming difficult organizational problems in the autumn of 1918, the University was established and Razumovsky was elected its first rector," the rector of Baku State University said.

The rector compared the current era of the development of the University with the "age of wisdom in human life." "During the existence of the university, such prominent figures as the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, our famous compatriot the Nobel Prize laureate Lev Landau, the prominent scientist Yusif Mammadaliyev and many others graduated from BSU," he said.

Maharramov also noted that such people as the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the former President and Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev, the speaker of Russia’s Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko, the ex-president of Turkey Abdullah Gul, the former US Secretary of State Zbigniew Brzezinski, former President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and other public and political figures, as well as Nobel Prize winners, are honorary doctors of Baku State University.

Part of Abel Maharramov's speech was devoted to the strengthening of Russian-Azerbaijani contacts. "The personal relations and friendship between our presidents Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev is a great incentive for our close relations, including in the humanitarian sphere. The Baku branch of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov,  the Baku branch of the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University and the Baku Slavic University are operating in Azerbaijan. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation plays an important and invaluable role in maintaining and strengthening our relations. The establishment of a memorial tablet to the first rector of Baku State University was conducted with the support of the Foundation headed by the first lady of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has done a lot for our countries and our peoples, made a worthy contribution to the development strategy of Baku State University and an increase in international relations," he said.