President of Azerbaijan named honorary professor of Moscow State University

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was given the title of Honorary Professor of the Moscow State University (MSU) at a ceremony held at this world-famous higher education institution on Thursday, AzerTAc correspondents report from the Russian capital city.

The Azerbaijani leader accompanied by his spouse Ms. Mehriban Aliyeva and daughter, head of the Russian office of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, was warmly greeted by the audience.

In his welcome speech, Rector of the University Viktor Sadovnichiy spoke about the main phases of life and political activities of the Azerbaijani President, including his accomplishments in the international arena.

He also shared remembrances of his meetings with national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, stressing the care the outstanding political figure had taken of the Moscow State University.

The Rector read out the University Academic Council’s decision to give the title of Honorary Professor of the Moscow State University to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for his outstanding contribution to strengthening ties between Russia and Azerbaijan, development of education and science for the welfare of the two countries, and fruitful cooperation between Azerbaijan and MSU.

After that, the Azerbaijani leader was presented with diploma and the Medal of Honorary Professor of MSU.

Other speakers including Dean of the university’s Department of Chemistry, Academic Valeriy Lunin, Head of the MSU Unified Trade Union Committee Igor Kotlobovskiy mentioned Azerbaijan’s economic achievements, and President Ilham Aliyev`s contributions to dynamic development of the country in all spheres of life, including in education and sports.

Third-year student of the Department of Higher Mathematics and Cybernetics Ulfat Aliyev, who also chairs MSU’s Azerbaijan Youth Club, on behalf of 200 Azerbaijani students of the university, congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on the title and assured him that young Azerbaijanis would represent worthily their country in the Russian capital.

President Ilham Aliyev addressed the students and teaching staff of the university. He thanked the Academic Council for honoring him with the title of professor of “this renowned university”.

President Ilham Aliyev called Azerbaijan-Russia relationships many-sided, adding both countries` leaders regard them as a guarantee of peace, security and sustainable development in the region.
He said since 2000, the bilateral relations have entered a new stage – the stage of strategic partnership.

The Azerbaijani leader also dwelt on humanitarian cooperation issues, pointing out the fact that Slavic University as well as Russian schools are functioning in Azerbaijan, and that newspapers in Russian language are published in the country.

President Ilham Aliyev said the Azerbaijani society has strong traditions of internationalism and tolerance.

He noted that opening of Moscow State University`s branch in Baku will be another step towards making the two countries` people closer.
According to the President, education is second, after defense, priority in Azerbaijan`s state budget.

The country has adopted the State program for education of Azerbaijani students abroad in 2007-2015.

Over the last few years, 1,200 schools have been built and equipped with modern computers in Azerbaijan.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed wish to intensify cooperation between scientific and educational circles of Azerbaijan and Russia.
Afterwards, the President responded to questions from students.
Then, the audience heard the performance by the Academic Students Chorus led by Azerbaijani conductor Mirza Asgarov.

President Ilham Aliyev signed the University`s guest book and had his photo taken together with its students and teachers.

/AzerTaj/