December 3, 2009

The 6th International Science Olympiad opened in Baku

December 3, the 6th International Science Olympiad was solemnly opened at Buta Palace in Baku.

The event brought together Elchin Efendiyev, Deputy Premier, Bahar Muradova, Deputy Speaker of Milli Mejlis, Hafiz Pashayev, Deputy Foreign Minister, Rector of Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy, Head of Science Committee established for preparation for the Olympiad, as well MPs, famous figures of science, local and foreign scientists.

More than 600 pupils and their teachers from 49 countries participate in the Olympiad which is held in physics, chemistry and biology due to support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, IJSO (International Junior Science Olympiad) and Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS).   

A congratulatory message by Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s President, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP, to the Olympiad was read out first by Anar Elekberov, Executive Director of Heydar Aliyev Foundation. 

The message says the Year of 2009, the Year of Children in Azerbaijan is being completed by such a large-scale and important international event. One of most important factors for us is the children – their health, education, growth, formation as a developed, responsible citizen of country. As most important factor of future progress science and education have been covered with special care by government in our country. Thanks to knowledge and skills of our professional national personnel successful reforms, local and international projects are implemented in our country. Works we will do in future will be possible owing to knowledge, skills and experience our present juniors and youth will gain.

You – juniors have opportunity to compete in physics, chemistry and biology in ancient Baku City, the place where East and West cultures, various civilizations encounter. Victories you will achieve in the International Science Olympiad will be one of unforgettable events for you. I wish success, victory and new scientific achievements to each of you. 

Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sport, said our prominent scholars, philosophers have made contribution to development of universal science in different periods of history, and our famous scientists are serving now the global science with their inventions and discoveries.

“Special decree of Mr. Ilham Aliyev – the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan about the organization of the 6th International Science Olympiad in Baku, shows the care and interest of government towards this field, and serves the increase of youth’s interest to science, determination of youth’s creativity potential and for establishment of international co-operation”, the Minister noted.

Azad Rahimov underlined all works have been done according to the regulations to host the Olympiad in the high level. The Organizing and Scientific committees of the Olympiad have been founded, executive structure approved. Official invitations have been sent to over 60 countries. Official Internet page (www.ijso2009.az) containing detailed information on the Olympiad is available.

Working group comprised of representatives of the respective bodies has been created to ensure high-level preparation for the Olympiad, logotype and slogan of the event approved.

Up to 100 volunteers have been identified during the year to meet and accompany visitors of the Olympiad, special trainings organized for them.

“I want to emphasize once again that it is very honoring that this event is taking place in our country. I hope this Olympiad will serve as great science and friendship network for many teenagers from different countries of world. During these days you will get a chance to learn more about Azerbaijan’s history, culture, cuisine, to feel the hospitality of our people and to colorize your life”, the Minister said. 

Expressing pleasure for greeting youth in Baku, Hafiz Pashayev, Deputy Foreign Minister, Rector of Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy, Head of Science Committee established for preparation for the Olympiad, said it is nice to communicate with educated youth. Such a great competition of knowledge promotes friendly ties of nations. I believe participants of the Olympiad will leave Azerbaijan under great impressions.

H.Pashayev stated it is not by chance that the science Olympiad of juniors is held in physics, chemistry and biology. We have set these subjects as fundamental science, because they form the basis of any sphere of science. Every nation, society should pay attention to these spheres.

Mentioning the huge attention the President of Azerbaijan pays to science, education, specially to the complete development of youth, Hafiz Pashayev stressed great significance of the Olympiad in this sense. This Olympiad will be of special importance for discovery and development of educated youth. I believe these juniors will contribute to the spheres of science selected for the Olympiad, which is significant for their future successes too.

As the Head of the Science Committee of the Olympiad I assure you that this competition is quite serious to us. The Science Committee that is consisted of up to 30 outstanding specialists of Azerbaijan has made up nearly 500 test, theoretical and practical tasks by physics, chemistry and biology. 

Wishing success to every participant H.Pashayev said winning is not the goal here, the main goal is to partake, find friends and improve knowledge.

Masno Ginting, President of the 6th International Science Olympiad, expressed hope the Olympiad would contribute to bringing both its participants and their countries closer to each other, expressing hope the attendees will leave Baku under rich impressions.

Ginting also praised Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev`s “attention towards developing science and education” and also “the importance he attaches to youth affairs”.

He emphasized Azerbaijan is the first European country to host the event. The next Olympiad will be hosted by Nigeria. So, the Olympiad will cover all continents. Concerning the age limit for participants of the Olympiad its President said the major goal is to rouse interest in pupils for technical subjects. Pupils of senior classes used this Olympiad to have opportunity to enter the higher schools without exam, so we decided to decrease the age limit. 

Mahmud Karimov, President of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), mentioned huge importance of the Olympiad for teens, youth and young scholars, noting it lets participants test their knowledge and contributes to training of qualified personnel in future.

Participants of this Olympiad will devote their life to science and hardly work for the progress of their countries.

M.Karimov underlined special significance of realization of the Olympiad in Baku from the point of view of close familiarization of participants with Azerbaijan, development of cooperation among states. 

Education Minister Misir Mardanov assessed realization of the Olympiad in Azerbaijan as the result of stability and dynamic development in the country, in particular of the care President Ilham Aliyev and Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s President Mehriban Aliyeva render to science and education.

According to him, participation of a lot of delegates in the Olympiad will play huge role in informing the whole world of development processes ongoing in Azerbaijan.

Young musicians gave a concert in the Olympiad, which will be closed December 11.