On May 15, 2024, the final of the “2nd National Consecutive Interpretation Contest” organized by the Department of English Language and Literature was held at Khazar University's Marble Hall. 8 finalists majoring in translation from 4 universities of the country took part in the contest. Note that the finalists were determined on the basis of a three-stage selection.

The event started with the welcome notes by Prof. Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli, founder of Khazar University and chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees and Assoc. Prof  Irada Khalilova, the rector of Khazar University. Then the participants translated live speeches into English, Azerbaijani and Russian. The guest speakers were Vahid Asgari, Gulafat Shafiyeva and Grigorii Penkov. Vahid Asgari, (LING, BC, Int'l Business Affairs Consultant & ESL/EFL Instructor) delivered a speech on “Consecutive Interpretation: Importance and skills”. The second speaker Gulafat Shafiyeva (Lecturer, Khazar University) and third speaker Grigorii Penkov (Lecturer, Khazar University) dedicated their speeches to COP 29. It should be mentioned that “The 2024 Baku Climate Change Conference”, or COP 29, is an international conference organized by the United Nations that scheduled to  take place from November 11 to 22, 2024 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

The seven-member contest jury consisted of Elvin Abbasbayli (Coordinator of Center of Translation and Interpretation, Lecturer at Khazar University), Fiala Abdullayeva (Head of Translation Department, AUL),  Lidiya Gamidova (Lecturer at Khazar University), Irina Orujova (Lecturer in the Translation Department, AUL), Israfil Khakiyev (Director of the Translation Center “RAGI LLC”), Nasimi Hasanov (Director of the Translation Center “Shams”) and Zamira Gurbanova (Lecturer at Khazar University).

The jury evaluated the participants based on predefined criteria. The winners of the contest are:

1st place: Gulsun Hamidova, a fourth-year bachelor student majoring in Translation (English) at Khazar University.

2nd place: Zahra Ahadova, a second-year master student majoring in Translation (English) at Azerbaijan University of Languages.

3rd place: Javid Novruzov, a fourth-year bachelor student majoring in Translation (English) at Baku Slavic University.

3rd place: Khayala Mammadova, a fourth-year bachelor student majoring in Translation (English) at Khazar University.

The jury also noted distinguished students: Laman Gurbanzade (Baku Slavic University), Khayyam Asadov (Azerbaijan University), Elbrus Ismayilov (Baku Slavic University), Asif Mammadov (Khazar University).

The winners were awarded Crystal plaques, and the distinguished ones were awarded certificates.