Gyulnara Mamedzade, Narmina Ali, RIA Novosti
Recently, the Golden Order of Merit was awarded to Pr. Nargiz Pashayeva, president of Baku branch of Moscow State University, by the European Chamber of Trade, Commerce, and Industry. This order is awarded to activists for significant achievements and high professionalism in their work.
Nargiz Pashayeva gave an interview to RIA Novosti and presented her vision on further cooperation with the leading Russian universities and on the role of humanitarian ties in development of the Russian-Azerbaijani relations.
- The Baku branch of Moscow State University (MSU) with its unique integrated sphere of science, culture, and education contributes to development of integration ties between Azerbaijan and Russia. The Baku branch of MSU is a tolerant environment where importance of the Russian language is esteemed…
- Of course, university as an important component of the bilateral process is effective in development of international relations. During MSU Baku branch’s history more than 1100 Moscow tutors have visited the university. Along with the university life our partners find friends, communication ties, mutual interests. For them Baku is not only a sphere of professional interests, the city becomes close and understandable. They want to return in it. I believe MSU Baku branch fulfills a high mission on development of human contacts, inter-scientific, inter-ethnic, and intergovernmental ties.
The work on this direction is continuation of famous historic traditions founded in Azerbaijan in previous centuries by prominent scientists, social activists, and progressive forces; and our university is not an exception. Azerbaijan doesn’t become tolerant and developed country in the region in one day. It was a long historic process. In the 12 century great Nizami Gjanzhevi poetized friendship between nations and unity of all people. Nothing can happen without a fundament and traditions. Importance of the Russian language is obvious not only for Azerbaijan, but also for any other post-Soviet republic. It is important to know Russian not because it is a language of a big country which we belonged to for many years, and not because of economic and political interests. Without Russian we deprive ourselves from getting all-round information on the international progress, scientific achievements, education, international social life, and culture.
Speaking Russian is one of ways to be open to the world. For sure, we shouldn’t diminish significance of English, but it is due to history that Russian is a part of the Azerbaijani society.
In Azerbaijan the Russian language is widely spread, while English is used usually by diplomats or other specific sphere.
As a linguist I can say that it is not enough to speak Russian, you have to feel it. And one should be in a natural environment for understanding of the language would be formed not only through grammar, but also through heart and consciousness.
Possessing the treasure of speaking Russian, we have no right to lose it. We would deprive ourselves. It would be a very big historic mistake against culture, education, and progress.
- Do you think improvement of humanitarian ties between Russia and Azerbaijan will prevent cooling of bilateral relations, notwithstanding political aspects?
- State policy on education and culture is a part of humanitarian policy. In Azerbaijan the constructive approach in the sphere is so obvious that there are no doubts in intention to support and extend developed humanitarian ties between our countries. MSU Baku branch was established by the order of Azerbaijani President. The project was discussed by the heads of Azerbaijan and Russia – Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin.
Any humanitarian ties stimulate a positive trend in relations not only between certain people, but also between the states. This is a platform for establishing the civil society. Universities provide the link; they give an opportunity to approach political leaders in the humanitarian aspect.
It is a great power of timeless values: science, education, culture when borders and objective problems disappear. It is a space where disputes are being settled, except for scientific disputes which encourage our countries to agreement and balanced relations. Humanitarian cooperation is immovable.
- What are your next plans for the university’s development? Accumulated potential is obvious, and the result surpassed all expectations…
- In general our university is open to the future. Any form can be created, a modern building can be built and equipped. All and all, investment is needed for this. It is more difficult to fill the space with content. It is impossible in one day and demands devotedness, professionalism, and love to the business.
For us the internal component of the process is establishing of appropriate university atmosphere, high qualitative educational space, high human capital among tutors and students. This is the most important. When all components match each other, a good university appears. University not only gives knowledge on sciences, but also raises a personality in students. We have to be an example for young people without violating their rights and threatening them. We have to do it now or it would be too late.
- What innovations do you expect in the university? How many departments are functioning in MSU Baku branch today? Do you plan an extension?
- There are five departments in the university today – Mathematics, Linguistics, Chemistry, Psychology, and Economics. Extension of the university’s potential takes place every year. For example, the dean of the Economics Department of MSU, who has recently visited our university, proposed an increase of the number of students from 25 to 50 to have an opportunity to form two groups. This year we plan to increase the number of places in the Economics Department.
The other innovation is that before the four-year degree is accomplished, we plan to open two-year Master degree in the Economics Department.
Our university provides students with the profession “manager economist” which is a rather wide notion. Now students who have Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics or got education in other universities, but want to have MSU diploma can apply to our Master’s Programme. I think it is a great opportunity for Azerbaijani citizens.
The goals were set, and we try to fulfill them. Moreover, now we are settling the issue on extension of the number of departments. The support by the president of MSU V. Sadovnichy brings its results. Such wishes appear in the scientific space of Azerbaijan, for instance, everybody wants to know when the Geology Department will be opened. Azerbaijan used to be famous for its geologists in the Soviet Union.
- Who are tutors of MSU Baku branch?
- 80% of lectures and workshops are conducted by tutors of MSU, except for such subjects as the Azerbaijani language, Azerbaijani literature, the history of Azerbaijan, physical education, secondary foreign language. The educational plan is agreed with the Scientific Council of MSU. Diplomas of our university do not differ from MSU diplomas; it is written nowhere that we are a branch. The fact is that it is the only diploma in the post-Soviet space which is recognized abroad. The other important aspect is that our students are studying for free. The state pays for them. I am sure our people understand and appreciate this fact.
- You are the founder and the head of the creative art theater UNS which is appreciated not only in Azerbaijan, but also in Russia. What creative projects can be implemented in Russia and other countries in the sphere of theater, including art performances of YARAT! ?
- When I established UNS, I had internal necessity in a platform which would prefer Russian art, Russian theatres, and troops. We have made a great work and have brought many top Russian theater troops to Baku. I remember how difficult it was to find a ticket to a play in Fomenko’s theater, but in Baku the theater successfully performed plays at the same time.
It is a part of history which enriches UNS; it helped us a lot and we gained an image of a serious theater. We got our own intellectual audience.
The art space YARAT! was established by my daughter Aida. It is important that she is not only talented person, but also a real professional. Aida drew since she was a child, while her agemates dreamed about being diplomats, bankers, economists, she entered a university in London to be an artist. I support her because she does it not due to fashion, but because it is her destiny.
Today we live in the integrated world – it is a kind of “common pot” where various aspects of life are presented and competition is high. When Azerbaijani modern art is presented in Moscow, Paris, London, it is an important and right strategy of presenting our culture abroad because we should broaden the audience. People should be informed what we have at this stage. It requires performances and exhibitions. Moreover, we would like creative talented people to implement their possibilities and enrich our life in all senses.
