Vestnik Kavkaza publishes an interview of AzerTAc with Professor Nargiz Pashayev, rector of the Baku Branch of Lomonosov Moscow State University.
- The official website of the Nizami Ganjavi Center notes that studies of the rich culture and history of Azerbaijan and the Caucasus Region, where he resides, remain beyond the international scientific community. In your opinion, what is the value of the scienific conference in this aspect?
- Tomorrow's conference will be the first scientific conference of the Nizami Ganjavi Center, which was founded at the University of Oxford and has become part of its authorized structure. Indisputably, the conference, presented in such a contingent and such an environment, the Oriental Institute of the University of Oxford, raised very important questions. The first question consists of the fact that, as has already been stated here, each idea mentioned here, any scientific judgement proposed, is not left in the auditorium, it is delivered to all the scientific circles of the world. Since the scientific judgement spread by Oxford, scientific arguments accepted by Oxford are the criteria of science, they have passed tests in the world. In this regard, the value of the conference held by our center is, of course, very great. Scientists attending the conference today are the most dignified, most famous and authoritative scientists in their fields. It is definitely the main indicator of the level of the event.
- In an interview published by AzerTAc last year, you noted that the Nizami Ganjavi Center will open soon. A lot of time has passed, can you tell about the work and projects of the center today?
- Reviewing the projects is indeed a pleasure. For example, it is gratifying that Bertels' book 'The Great Azerbaijani Poet Nizami Ganjavi', published in 1941 and, unfortunately never re-released again in the Russian language, is being translated into English here in Oxford. By the end of the year we plan to have presented the book in Oxford and in Azerbaijan. It is a very big event for scientists and professional circles aware of the issue. That is why no one has prepared an English version of Bertels' book yet. If in such a large university as Oxford the Faculty of Oriental Studies is translating the book, it should gain worldwide recognition.
Besides, we are engaged in training three masters and three post-graduates. Of what does the training consist? Exams need to be taken. Tests of teachers and professors of Oxford need to be passed. Everyone who passes the test will achieve success. Of course, we will give such an opportunity to the most worthy one.
Moreover, we are authorized to help everyone researching Oriental studies and literature within the framework of the rules of the university, as well as any other fields of science, and are willing to develop ties with the University of Oxford. At a meeting with the authorities of the university held a day before the conference, I was told that they wanted to perceive us as a center representing the Caucasus and Central Asian regions. We have been working together for two years, we gain trust. A lot of the time they have valued our scientific accuracy, scientific capacities and partner qualities, and the value is high.
- Naturally, Azerbaijan has great interest in the project. The Nizami Ganjavi Center functions as an element of the University of Oxford. This is a great achievement. How can you explain it and how can people interested partake in the Center's activities?
- You know, the most important thing is to have capable, industrious young people. However, the University of Oxford, open since the 13th century, offers tuition-based education. This does not, however, mean that every financially secure person may matriculate, get an education here, material resources are, we can say, the last condition. The most important things are abilities and knowledge. Diligence, patience and moderation. There needs to be willingness to move forward, constantly self-perfecting. Science is not a business sector, you enter it gradually, bearing in mind and respecting all your predecessors. You can move forward, bearing in mind those who did a lot before you.
I would like to place special emphasis on the fact that the most important thing is that we do not have a formal and temporary function. The scientific Nizami Ganjavi Center operating today and representing Azerbaijan should become and will become permanent in Oxford. That is because the value and authority of the country, homeland and citizen rises in such cases.
- How would you express the feelings filling you, the first Azerbaijani scientist represented in the illustrious University of Oxford, which has an 800-year history and which has trained many world-renowned scientists and public figures?
- It seems like a reality and a legend to me today, when I arrived at Oxford, and I was received as one of the most welcomed and honored guests. I was told that it was a meeting of people representing the university and who dedicated all their work to the university and students. 'We are always ready to preserve, to take care of such people, support them.' Those words are a recognition, a great joy for a person. At such moments, you think that it is good that you have been engaged in your profession for 33 years and, in my opinion, the best profession: teaching and science. Opening doors to the University of Oxford and joining its collective is the greatest pride for me.
Azerbaijan has had famous scientists, it has accrued enormous scientific potential. The world is not familiar enough with Azerbaijani science, and we want Azerbaijani science to take its well-deserved and well-earned place in the world. But wishes are not put into action in one day, in an instant, in a swift gust. They require hard work and spiritual ardor. Here, at Oxford, people do not depend on each other, but everyone depends on and serves the truth.
