On December 8-11, 2019 Professor Hamlet Isakhanli, the Founder of Khazar University and the Chairman of its Board of Directors and Trustees and Dr. Bahman Amani, Head of English Language and Literature Department visited the Islamic Republic of Iran.
On December 8, Professor Hamlet Isakhanli and Dr. Bahman Amani en route visited Dr. Hussein Bagirsoylu, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Education of Nakhchivan University. Dr. Hussein Bagirsoylu warmly welcomed the guests and gave information about the University. The parties discussed issues of cooperation between the two universities.
On the same day, Khazar University representatives arrived in Julfa city of Iran and met with deans, department heads, and staff at Tehran University and Tabriz University's international campus located at the Free Economic Zone.
On December 9, Professor Hamlet Isakhanli and Dr. Bahman Amani met with Mohsen Nariman, the Head of Araz Free Economic Zone, located on the border with Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Yusif Dadashzadeh, his assistant on education. Mohsen Nariman presented a gift to Professor Hamlet Isakhanli. Under Iranian law, universities can open a campus in free economic zones and attract students on a paid basis. Representatives of Khazar University discussed the opportunities for Khazar University to use this opportunity at both Julfa and Araz Free Economic Zones.
Professor Hamlet Isakhanli and Dr. Bahman Amani visited the tomb of Shams Tabrizi in Khoy and met with the Head of the Shams Tabrizi Association, Murtaza Barin and members of the Association. Professor Hamlet Isakhanli provided information about the establishment and launch of the Mawlana Literary and Philosophical Research Center (MAFAM) at Khazar University and said that it would be expedient to establish relations with the Association. Murtaza Barin also indicated that he supports the proposal.
Professor Reza Majidi, Rector of Tabriz University, organized dinner in honor of the representatives of Khazar University, who reached Tabriz in the evening of the same day, and the Rector of the University of Erzurum in Turkey, Bulent Chahmak. During the conversation, Professor Hamlet Isakhanli expressed his views on the establishment of a “triangular business partnership” between the universities of Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey, which was met with approval.
On December 10, representatives of Khazar University took part at a wide meeting of the rectorate at Tabriz University. The possibilities of bilateral relations were discussed in detail and Memorandum of Understanding was signed, gifts were presented.
Then Professor Hamlet Isakhanli and Dr. Bahman Amani met with deans, heads of department, teachers and students at the Faculty of Engineering and Physics and Astronomy, got acquainted with the work of the faculties and held discussions on teacher and student exchange.
On the same day, the representatives of Khazar University attended the event on the occasion of the Research Week at Tabriz University, attended by Governor of East Azerbaijan Mohammad Reza Purmahmadli, where Professor Hamlet Isakhanli gave a speech.
On December 11, Khazar University delegation visited Maragha. They en route visited the village of Kuvuvan where houses were built inside the rocks and Nasiraddin Tusi Observatory.
At the meeting with the Rector Mohammad Ali Lutfullahi at Maragha University, the parties exchanged views on cooperation and it was agreed to sign a memorandum.
In Maragha, Professor Hamlet Isakhanli met with poet Heydar Abbasi, who translated Mawlana Jalaladdin Rumi's “Masnavi” from Persian into Azerbaijani, and they read their poems to each other. Professor Hamlet Isakhanli also met with the poet Maraghali Karimi.
The four-day trip ended with strong impressions.
News and photos covering the visited were posted on the websites of Tabriz and Maragha Universities: