About Academy

AMEA Celebrates 80th Anniversary

TÜBA and Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) Celebrate ANAS 80th Anniversary at Ankara University

The event marking the 80th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), jointly organized by the TÜBA and ANAS, was held at the Senate Hall of Ankara University (AU).

The event was attended by TÜBA members, academics, bureaucrats, representatives from the Embassy of Azerbaijan, international and local institutions and organizations, higher education institutions, diplomats, and scientists. The program commenced with the screening of the documentary titled “The Temple of Science in Azerbaijan”, followed by panel evaluations related to the event.

President of the Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language and History (AYK) Prof. Dr. Derya Örs; President of the Turkish Historical Society (TTK) Prof. Dr. Yüksel Özgen; President of the Turkish Language Association (TDK) Prof. Dr. Osman Mert; prominent Turkologist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bican Ercilasun; and TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Rayev delivered speeches addressing the theme “80-Year Reflections on ANAS.”

The panel discussion, moderated by Ambassador Hami Aksoy, Director General for Science and Technology Policies at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was chaired by TÜBA Principal Member and Rector of Istanbul Nişantaşı University Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Komsuoğlu. Panelists included Prof. Dr. Ayça Ergun (Middle East Technical University – METU), Prof. Dr. Mehmet Akif Kireçci (Member of the Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Board, President of the Economic Cooperation Organization Education Institute, and faculty member at Ankara Social Sciences University – ASBU), Prof. Dr. Abdullah Gündoğdu (Ankara University), and Dr. Lecturer Mehmet Rıza Heyet (Ankara University).

Common Alphabet, Shared Future, Scientific Unity Across the Turkic World
TÜBA President and current UNASTW Chair Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker emphasized the importance of the common alphabet initiative with the Turkic world, stating in his opening remarks:

"We have advanced the process by supporting the common alphabet, and we will witness the days when future generations will communicate and correspond in Turkish, united by a shared linguistic foundation."

He stated that TÜBA's summer schools, which are organized for the Turkish world, are an important effort to educate future generations and preserve our friendship and cultural heritage. "The support we receive from our institutions motivates us. In this sense, I would like to thank our guests from Azerbaijan and our council members."

 "Our special relationship with AMEA is based on friendship. As Yunus Emre said, "Let us love and be loved, for the world belongs to no one," and friendships remain. These friendships will be passed on to future generations. We witnessed the support of our Azerbaijani brothers in the reconstruction of the earthquake zone. We would like to thank the people of Azerbaijan, especially President Ilham Aliyev, once again," said the TÜBA president. He noted that the Turkish people support Azerbaijan in all areas.

Eighty years of science in Azerbaijan
In his speech, AMEA President Prof. Dr. Isa Habibbayli stated that since its establishment, AMEA has achieved great success and is recognized as a center that transforms Azerbaijan's scientific and intellectual potential into national value.

"Today's event is of great importance in the context of implementing the President of Azerbaijan's decree to 'Celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.' Our anniversary event is being celebrated outside our country for the first time, in our sister country, Türkiye. This step serves to strengthen our brotherhood and solidarity. The words 'one nation, two states,' expressed with foresight by the great leader Heydar Aliyev, are proof of the unshakable unity of Turkic countries, as exemplified by Türkiye and Azerbaijan," he said.

Referring to Heydar Aliyev's interest in and support of Azerbaijani science, Habibbeyli said, "The renaissance of Azerbaijani science is directly related to the path followed by the Great Leader. Haydar Aliyev's policies also fostered brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Türkiye.

Referring to Haydar Aliyev's interest in and support for Azerbaijani science, Isa Habibbeyli said, "The renaissance of Azerbaijani science is directly related to the path followed by the Great Leader. Haydar Aliyev's policy also served the brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Türkiye." Saying that AMEA has actively contributed to the successful implementation of state policies in the field of science to date, the academic stated that they have also contributed to the acquisition of new knowledge by society and the elevation of its scientific and cultural level through social and human research.

The AMEA President emphasized that Azerbaijan and Türkiye demonstrate unity and solidarity not only in domestic politics and bilateral relations, but also in the international arena. He expressed his belief that the event will make important contributions to further strengthening cooperation with Türkiye's science and education institutions and implementing new joint projects. Recalling President Ilham Aliyev's words at his inauguration ceremony, “We have no other family, our family is the Turkic world,” the academic said that Azerbaijan has entered a new era in the development of Turkology, which has a long-standing tradition, and relations with the Turkic world.

The Shusha Declaration, the foundation of academic cooperation
Former Ambassador of Türkiye to Azerbaijan Assoc. Prof. Cahit Bağcı, said that AMEA has a dynamic structure that also houses institutes, and added, "This academic cooperation, which embodies Haydar Aliyev's understanding of ‘one nation, two states’ in Türkiye-Azerbaijan relations, is very important. The Shusha Declaration is an important step between the two countries. The basis for cooperation with Azerbaijan is the Shusha Declaration. We do not need a new protocol agreement. It is a text based on the development and deepening of bilateral relations in all areas. In this way, cooperation can be strengthened in areas ranging from history to art, sociology to economics, and artificial intelligence."

Our academic cooperation is deepening
Drawing attention to the joint studies conducted by AU with Azerbaijani universities, AU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Ünüvar stated that it is important to come together in the process of strengthening cooperation and ensuring its continuation in all areas. "The strong relationships we have established with Azerbaijani universities in academic and cultural fields are becoming more solid every day with new collaborations. We continue to evaluate our educational opportunities not only with universities but also with different institutions. As I have always said, Azerbaijan holds a very special and important place for me... While the relations between our presidents and our societies are progressing on the basis of unity and togetherness, we also have very important tasks to fulfill. In this context, we need to strengthen the affection between our leaders and our societies with valuable work." Rector Ünüvar also cited the double degree program as an example of successful cooperation with Azerbaijan.

A unique scientific brotherhood
Aygün Gocayeva, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Ankara, said in her speech, "The celebration of AMEA's 80th anniversary in Türkiye is a unique contribution to our relations. Therefore, this program is not just a celebration for us. Our bilateral relations, founded on the principle of ‘one nation, two states,’ have been further strengthened through this. The Shusha Declaration has seen our strategic alliance develop in every dimension. Both states have always stood side by side in difficult times. There is no other example of such friendship in the world.”