On December 22, 2025, Khazar University was represented as a partner and active participant in the republican scientific conference titled "The Legacy of Huseyn Efendi Gayibzade – In the Context of Tradition and Enlightenment" held at the Guba branch of Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University (ASPU).

The main objective of the conference, dedicated to the reassessment of the rich scientific-pedagogical legacy of Huseyn Efendi Gayibzade, a prominent representative of 19th-century Azerbaijani enlightenment, was to reveal his role in the formation of the national education system, the resonance of his enlightenment ideas with contemporary scientific approaches, and their current scientific and pedagogical significance.

The event, moderated by orientalist scholar and lecturer at ASPU's (Guba) Seyid Jabbarov, was opened with introductory remarks by Prof. Yusif Aliyev, Director of ASPU's Guba branch. He emphasized that Huseyn Efendi Gayibzade's enlightenment ideas remain relevant today and noted the importance of such events on preserving national and cultural memory.

At the plenary session, along with many scholars and intellectuals, Prof. Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli, founder of Khazar University and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees, also delivered a speech sharing his thoughts on the historical, scientific and cultural significance of Gayibzade's legacy. In his address, the speaker analyzed Gayibzade's personality and worldview in a historical and cultural context, emphasizing that he was one of the rare intellectuals who ideally combined his identity as a theologian with an enlightened way of thinking. He particularly noted Gayibzade's belief in the decisive role of education in societal development and assessed his high regard for women's enlightenment and social development as an extremely progressive and bold position for the 19th century.

In the panel discussions that followed, Khazar's Department of Languages and Literatures participated as one of the main representative institutions. Under the leadership of the department's head, Assoc. Prof. Dilbar Zeynalova, staff members Assoc. Prof. Ziver Huseynli Baylan, PhDs in philology Almaz Badalova, Yegzar Jafarli, Konul Hasanova, Gulsana Khudiyeva, Aygul Gurbanova, as well as Mansura Ahmadova and Fargana Alesgerli delivered presentations in both in-person and online formats, substantiating from various scientific aspects Huseyn Gayibzade's pedagogical legacy, his concept of education in the native language, and the connection of his enlightenment views with contemporary linguistic and educational theories.

In the artistic portion of the conference, various musical pieces performed by Khazar's Chamber Orchestra added special aesthetic flavor to the event. The orchestra's artistic director was Assoc. Prof. Zulfiyya Sadigova, pianist and head of Khazar University's Department of Music and Arts, with conductor Huseyn Muradov. Vocal performances were presented by university instructors Mahsati Jabbarova and Asim Muradov, with saz performer instructor Ramin Garayev.

The republican scientific conference was significant in terms of presenting the scientific activities carried out by Khazar University staff in the direction of research and promotion of the national enlightenment heritage, and contributed to the expansion of scientific cooperation among higher education institutions.