Khazar University recently hosted a double-header of events in collaboration with Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). The joint efforts culminated in the official establishment of a new Corpus Research Center and the successful conclusion of the 2nd CISMA Conference, underscoring a shared commitment to innovation in language studies.

The initiative began on April 29 with high-level negotiations, followed by the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 30. The agreement was finalized by Prof. Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli, Founder of Khazar University and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees, alongside Prof. Hu Kaibao, Vice-president of SISU and Dean of the Institute of Corpus Studies and Applications. To ensure the center’s strategic growth and academic excellence, Prof. Isakhanli and Prof. Hu Kaibao will serve as the co-directors of the newly launched Corpus Research Center.

Supporting the leadership team, the center’s operational success will be driven by its coordinators: Dr. Afzaal Muhammad professor at Shanghai International Studies University, Dr. Milana Abbasova, Dean of the School of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences at Khazar University, and Dr. Imran Muhammad, an adjunct professor at Khazar University and researcher at Prince Sultan University, Saudi Arabia.

This center is poised to become a vital hub for linguistic data, with a primary mission to develop the first comprehensive Azerbaijani Language Corpus. By analyzing vast collections of real-world language data, researchers aim to unlock deeper insights into communication patterns, translation nuances, and modern discourse. The launch was warmly inaugurated by Prof. Isaxanli and Khazar University Rector Dr. Razia Isayeva, while the academic sessions were guided by conference co-chairs Prof. Afzaal Muhammad and Dr. Milana Abbasova. The proceedings were presented and moderated throughout by Tamella Mammadli, an instructor in the Department of English Language and Literature at Khazar University.

The momentum continued into the 2nd CISMA Conference on Technology and Corpora in Discourse, Translation, and Interpreting. The event drew an international audience of scholars to explore how technology is reshaping the way we understand language. The conference program featured a prestigious lineup of keynote speakers, including Dr. Hu Kaibao, Dr. Muhammad Afzaal, and Dr. Lei Lei from Shanghai International Studies University, as well as Dr. Daria Dayter (Tampere University), Dr. Abdel-Wahab Khalifa (Queen’s University Belfast), and Dr. Siu Wing Yee Barbara (Hong Kong Polytechnic University). These experts, through both in-person and virtual sessions, provided a platform for cutting-edge methodologies and global academic exchange.

Adding a vibrant layer to the scholarly atmosphere, the event featured a rich cultural program. Attendees were treated to an orchestral performance and traditional Azerbaijani and Chinese dances, a symbolic tribute to the growing friendship between the two nations.

As participants received their certificates of attendance at the close of the event, the atmosphere was one of shared success. The dual launch of the research center and the CISMA conference not only advances the technical study of language but also reinforces the power of international cooperation in shaping the future of global education.