Hamlet Isaxanli In Search of “Khazar” - DSpace at Khazar University

Hamlet IsaxanliIn Search of “Khazar”

2In Search of "Khazar"The realities of eventsassociated with theestablishmentanddevelopment of KhazarUniversity have leftindelible traces in mymemory. I intend to passthese events to you intheir entirety and in allsincerity. I hope I canrelive together with you,readers, those days spentin ‘search of "Khazar".

In Search of "Khazar" 3CHAPTER 1BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTHFor a number of years I was familiarizing myselfwith different universities all over the world, whilstgathering my thoughts on science and education in myown country, Azerbaijan. These ideas and comparisonswere taking a distinctive shape in my imagination - theshape of a university.Novel ideas and thoughts seemingly appearunexpectedly, but in reality they are a result of long andintensive subconscious efforts. The information that weabsorb, accept and keep in our minds is explored andanalyzed in invisible and imperceptible ways. Accordingto some hypotheses, this way is simply called aharmonization, putting thoughts into a correct andbeautiful order. In this process, suddenly everythingfalls into place and an idea appears as a patch of light.The first place where I studied after Azerbaijanwas Moscow State University. I spent long years therefirst studying and then researching mathematics. Theuniversity’s extremely high scientific potential andpleasant and creative atmosphere seemed to be a newworld to me. Later I traveled more and came acrossmore varied systems at universities in Canada and inEurope. I didn’t content myself solely with givinglectures, presenting papers at different conferences,workshops, and conducting new research. Theseuniversities themselves slowly became my object ofstudy and investigation. Later I also started practicing"distance learning" of the world’s famous universities.With enthusiasm I studied histories of Harvard

4In Search of "Khazar"University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology(I was unable to visit those at the time) in order tounderstand their distinct features.The crisis that has started in the higher educationsystem in Azerbaijan was deepening further in thesecond part of the eighties. Historically, Azerbaijan hasgained great successes in the art of music and otherforms of art, and some fields of science had developedto the point that the foundations of certain scientificschools had been established. Meanwhile the moralvalues that the society was resting upon began to bereduced to dust, and the economic basis was about to bedestroyed. These developments influenced every sphereof society including science and education. The habit ofcorruption, accepting bribes and falsifying the students’grades was spreading day by day from one university toanother and from one lecturer to another. There was nocontrol over corruption and it was becoming accepted ascommon practice. The scientists and intellectuals thatwere trying to maintain their integrity and distancethemselves from the surrounding world were slowlybecoming mere observers. The level and intensity ofscientific research was sharply decreasing. The politicaland economic crisis in the Soviet Union started havingan impact on universities and research institutes. Manyclaimed that the pitiful lecturer earnings forced them totake bribes, and this number was gradually increasing.Lies and hypocrisy, dilettantism and protectionism wereprospering.In July 1990 I was invited to Great Britain as oneof the keynote speakers at the 11th International DundeeConference on Ordinary and Partial DifferentialEquations. There I met my old friends and some new

In Search of "Khazar" 5faces, and refreshed in my memory the interesting pagesof the history of Scotland and England.On the return London to Moscow flight, as Ihabitually do, I was trying to make travel notes andwrite down some of my thoughts. I was thinking andcomparing the East and the West. My thoughts wererandom. Strangely, I was feeling myself not on theplane but between the earth and sky, in a condition ofweightlessness. For a moment I felt strange anxiety andexcitement. "Would I be able to establish a smalluniversity?". This strange question was not leaving me,but was attracting my thoughts like a powerful magnet. Iwas really struggling with my mind trying to free it ofthis annoying question, to leave it unanswered, but allmy efforts were futile. On one hand, my mind was busydrawing up plans for university. On the other hand, Iwas putting up a weak resistance, thinking that I amagain taken away from the realities of the world byrebelling thoughts.

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In Search of "Khazar" 7CHAPTER 2IN THE BOTTOM OF THE WELLHaving returned to Baku I had a little rest andthen went back to work. At the time I was working atthe Baku branch of the Voznesensky Institute ofFinance and Economics of Leningrad. 1 This branch wasestablished on the foundations of the AzerbaijanInstitute of National Economy that lost its independentstatus because of serious flaws in its administration.Upon the decision of the Academic Council inLeningrad I had been elected the chairman of thedepartment of mathematics of the branch. I had alreadybeen working there for two years.Rahib Guliyev, the newly appointed director ofthe branch was trying to bring about sweeping reformsby replacing the old staff. However the situation was notso simple and in order to make real changes it wasessential to make gradual, well thought through steps.Since his reforms were very closely associated with joblosses they were not very popular. He faced strongresistance and the result was formation of powercliques. Guliyev wanted too much to soon, and hisintolerance and the influence of the ongoing powerstruggle in the Government (this institute was alwaysstrongly associated with the governments) made him toovulnerable and he was forced to leave his position.The newly appointed director, Fuad Alaskarov,was not a reformist, but rather a conformist. He broughtback all those released by the previous director, tried toregain independence from Leningrad in order to lead amore calm and comfortable existence.

8In Search of "Khazar"It seems that my independence and profile andthe fact that I was staying out of all intrigues began toannoy Alaskarov. Although in our personal conversationshe remained very respectful, various rumorsstarting spreading through the institute. One incident inparticular served as a turning point from polite tensionto badly hidden hostility. Only few days after I returnedhome from Scotland, voting for candidates into theAzerbaijani National Assembly (Parliament) was held atthe Institute. 2 The deans of the faculties and chairmen ofthe various departments had nominated Alaskarov forelection and were making speeches in his honor oneafter another. Then unexpectedly, a group of facultymembers and students proposed my nomination. I wastold that those who supported my candidacy wereseverely attacked and one of them was even beaten byAlaskarov’s supporters. I went into the meeting hastilyand thanked my supporters for giving me their supportand confidence. At the same time I reminded them that Ihad no desire to be engaged in politics and I simply hadtoo little time and withdrew my candidacy. After thisincident the atmosphere around me became increasinglytense. Soon after I left for my summer holidays.

In Search of "Khazar" 9CHAPTER 3AN ARTICLE ON EDUCATIONI spent the summer of 1990 thinking continuouslyabout education problems and the various newuniversity models and I wrote an article entitled"Thoughts on Science and the Education System". I wasintending to publish the article both in Azerbaijani andRussian to give everybody an opportunity to read it.Since I had serious doubts that this article would ever bepublished I gave the copy to some of my acquaintancesand friends who knew about my activities and wereexpressing interest in my ideas. Among them was SalehMammadov, doctor of economics, who would becomethe Minister of Finance in the government of thePopular Front of Azerbaijan. 3Six years have passed since then and fromtoday’s point of view some facts and ideas in the articleseem simplified, some vital problems have not evenbeen touched upon. * But the main purpose of it was todraw the readers’, and I also hoped officials’, attentionto the necessity of reforms in science and education. Atthat time I had but a slight hope of convincing them ofthe necessity and natural possibility of establishing newuniversities.After about three to four months the article waspublished in Russian in the "Bakinskiy Rabochiy" 4* The first time "In search of Khazar" has been published in "KhazarView" magazine (1996-1997, № 10-14, 19-27) in Azerbaijani andthen in English in "Azerbaijani Studies" journal (1998, v.1, № 4).All facts refer to that time and changes have not been taken intoaccount here.

10In Search of "Khazar"newspaper in an abbreviated and simplified form. Thearticle was entitled "To reform Education" andpublished under the headline of "Scholar’s point ofview" (January 25, 1991). The Azerbaijani version ofthe article was published in the newspaper"Communist" 5 only in May 17, 1991 under the headline"Opinions, suggestions" entitled "Any education mustbe global". This belated version was also shortened butthe expressions and sentences remained untouched. Ihave to mention with certain irony and pleasure that bythe time the article was published in the newspaper"Communist", the university that I had been nurturing inmy mind for a long time was about to become a reality.The Council of Ministers had already passed a decisionto allow the setting up of the first private university andI had already begun working in this direction.Before returning to other events in the fall of1990 I’d like to introduce the article mentioned above inits entirety. Although the articles published in thenewspapers "Communist" and "Bakinskiy Rabochiy"were not the same, the main messages were quite close.Since the style of the article published in "Communist"was more similar to my original manuscript, I present itto you with editorial abridgments distinguished byItalics.

In Search of "Khazar" 11CHAPTER 4"THOUGHTS ON SCIENCE AND THEEDUCATION SYSTEM"We live in difficult, responsible and anxioustimes. Distortions hidden in the shadow of our fight forpolitical and economic independence, previously unseenscale and tension of struggle for power, corruptionpenetrated in the blood, soul and brain of the entirerepublic, incurable ecological problems, political andmilitary counteraction 6 with our neighboring nation,flabbiness of science, education and culture - are alldifferent signs of our crisis. Incompetence, superficialityand indifference are everywhere. Pure ideals are smiledat in the best of circumstances.The future of our nation is determined by thecultural level of our society and the universal feature ofour education and science. No rapid leap in theeconomy is possible without these two factors. Whenintellectual energy starts to weaken and global thinkingbecomes a rarity, intolerance of other’s opinions andpugnacious nepotism occur.Who could deny the obvious successes of ourscience, education and culture? At the same time it iscrucial to consider the questions that trouble us. Why isthe number of our world-renowned scholars next to

12In Search of "Khazar"nothing? Which of our scientific institutions are famousfor their important works and glorious traditions?Which universities can offer diplomas that are able tocompete with European and American ones?If today we do not think about the future of ourscience, education and culture, do not take seriousmeasures, it is certain that our future will be bleak. It isin our nature to exaggerate and to be pleased withourselves, thus stimulating our own and the public’simagination about our "successes."Today when our international relations arebecoming broader, the lack of highly skilled andcompetent specialists is even more obvious. The numberof our compatriots familiar with the international world,modern science and economics, capable of dynamic andanalytical thought and able to converse fluently inEnglish (German, French...) with Western specialistscan be easily counted on the fingers of one hand.Up to now, and at present, the structure ofeducation, science and culture and the ways in whichthey are developing have been under a tight centralizedcontrol and personal and small groups initiatives havenot been taken into consideration. Everything has beendefined, planned and governed from "above." This wayof governing could only bring local and temporarysuccesses, but has not been able to form long lasting andfirm traditions. One of the most serious and distressingresults has been the separation of science and educationfrom each other. The Academy of Science 7 wasresponsible only for the development of scientificresearch, whereas the universities were there to train thespecialists and give them higher education. The two hadinsignificant influence on each other.

In Search of "Khazar" 13On the other hand, there existed, and still exist,monotony and inertness in the administration of education.Identical programs, methods and rules created similarrequirements and responsibilities, reduced competitivenessand brought down the standards. Slackpersonnel selection policies caused especially heavydamage to our education, science and culture. Thereare many lecturers with completely out-of-dateknowledge at our universities and nobody questionsthem.There is no thought given to competitiveness ineducation. As a result of all of these, interest andcuriosity for science is reducing, education and cultureare evidently loosing their role as indicators of ournational esteem.For the sake of the dignity and future of ournation, it is our duty to devote maximum attention to thedevelopment and administration of education andculture. The time now is right to bring aboutfundamental changes.Is it possible to fundamentally renew the entiregigantic education system, science and culture? What,generally, is renovation in these complicated anddiversified areas? It’s not even easy to comprehend allaspects of our backwardness in these areas. It is goingto be a long and hard work to analyze all the political,economic and historical aspects of our problems.Scientific, technical, moral and material resources mustbe laid bare, gigantic expenses must be incurred andefforts spent. So what is to be done immediately, today?There are two possible roads leading to success.The first is to define a certain group of research andeducation centers and devote special attention to theirall-round development, to try to reform them. As

14In Search of "Khazar"mentioned before, hard and all encompassing work willhave to be done in this direction. The second way, Ibelieve, needs a special discussion. It is a completelynew way for us and it is very important and urgent forus to go in this direction. The way is based on learningand applying West European and American educationand science models while taking into account ourtraditions and circumstances.If we long for a market economy and try to Westernizeour political system, will it be possible to notfollow Western models in our education system andscience? Is it possible to develop our science, educationand culture to the standards of tomorrow whilst usingyesterday’s methods? It is quite obvious thatrevolutionary changes in the economy demand theappropriate changes in science and education, make itinevitable to lay foundation of flexible and strongworld-wide thought and train new breed of specialists.Fundamental developments of modern areas of sciencein developed countries of Europe, America and Asia,and a well-governed education system as its organicunity, are indisputable arguments of the vitality ofWestern models in these spheres.Though Western universities have similarities inthe organizational principles of education, they differfrom each other from the viewpoint of the importance ofresearch or education, budgets, financing from state, anddifferent level of requirements for achieving degrees.Private universities in the USA and some othercountries are considered the most prestigious andinfluential science and education establishments. One ofthe most obvious examples of this is the famousHarvard University, USA, that has been an object ofpride, amazement and imitation for over 360 years.

In Search of "Khazar" 15Among its alumni are numerous specialists, scholarsand statesmen of worldwide fame.Today we have to think about the maincharacteristics of a new type of higher education andscientific institutions and to conduct certaininvestigations. These institutions must developspecialists qualified in exact, social-political sciencesand humanities and with good command of foreignlanguages (especially English). They have to contributeto the development of science and culture, and establishthemselves in the international arena. In this case whatprinciples must be taken as fundamental and why arethese principles of great importance?If higher education is to be in conformity withmodern standards it must consist of two stages. Theinitial stage is generally four years long, provides ageneral higher education in certain subjects and endswith the awarding of a baccalaureate degree. Thesecond stage of higher education lasts approximatelytwo years and usually ends with the narrowspecialization and master’s degree, in some cases, uponthe defense of a thesis. The need for such organizationof higher education is not for the sake of fashion andartificial Westernizing, but it is in order to shape a‘form’ necessary to improve the quality, to give aneffective push to our science and culture. We can makeuse and derive certain advantages from the programsand practices of the world-leading universities and fromthe knowledge and experience of visiting scholars. Wewill have a real chance to agree mutual recognition ofacademic achievements and diplomas and degrees withWestern countries. Until now, an agreement on mutualrecognition of diplomas has only been achieved withFinland from all the developed countries, and

16In Search of "Khazar"negotiations are currently being held with Austria. 8Besides, if we have a higher education institution thatawards bachelor and master’s degrees that are acceptedin the developed countries, we would have greateropportunities to teach foreign students.It is very important to teach English and otherforeign languages besides giving students a profession.Language should be taught not only as a means ofinteraction and an object of linguistics, but as a mediumof instruction in a student’s chosen field. Somegraduates can receive the diploma of foreign languageinterpreter as well as their main degree. Then ourstudents will be able to successfully continue part oftheir education abroad (they will not be strangers to theWestern ways of education and fluent in English). Andour graduates will be able to work in any country intheir chosen field. The children of Azeris living abroadcan also be educated here and return to their countrieswith a bachelor and master’s degree.It makes sense if the education at the new type ofinstitutions (or at least in some of them) should be feepaying. At the beginning of every year a student has topay a fixed tuition fee depending on the major he or shechooses. Paid education can stimulate not only thestudent’s own responsible approach to education, butalso help with funding successful research activities atthe university. Of course, tuition fees can not only bepaid by individuals but also by sponsor organizationsthat are, for example, in need of certain specialist skills.It is advisable that at the end of each term the studentsare ranked according to their academicachievements and examination results, and the studentis awarded a "success index." Every term the "successindex" undergoes appropriate changes and upon

In Search of "Khazar" 17completion of the education a final "success index" iscalculated. The level achieved by graduates (based onthe final success index) will not only serve for thepurposes of moral satisfaction but can also help in jobsearch.The unity of science and education and theirmutual influence must be taken as a basis for educationand be stimulated in every possible way. It is impossibleto prepare highly qualified specialists at the universitieswhere there is no respectable scientific researchfoundation. Top level universities function both as asource of education and as a research center. (There arenot many examples of large bureaucratic and purelyscientific research academies and institutions like oursin developed countries). Some dedicated funds, perhapsin the form of annual grants, will be defined forscientific work that is interesting and contemporary.Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, thusencouraging research development. Attached touniversities, special research centers and institutes canalso function.Alongside the required courses, the students alsocan select a certain number of elective courses. Thisprinciple takes into account not only the student’swishes and inclinations, but also encouragescompetitiveness and development of scientific researchin chosen fields. Socio-political sciences must not bedevoted to ideology anymore but to analyzing currentsituation, our past and worldwide outlook. Englishlanguage and information technology must be givenspecial attention as a vital part of higher education.It is essential that every subject has a specific"weight" attached to it (i.e. credit). Students will have tore-sit subjects for which they fail to obtain the necessary

18In Search of "Khazar"credit. Only those who obtain the defined number ofcredits from the required courses, and some courses ofgeneral knowledge can graduate from the University.Cooperation with leading universities and closecontact with well known foreign scholars should behelpful in preparing curricula, the teaching of somesubjects, raising the level of research, preparing theexact indicators of degree requirements, in organizingconferences and symposiums, and many other areas.It is essential to start educating specialists inthose areas where there is a great demand. These caninclude management, marketing, law, commerce, internationalfinance systems, computer and mathematicalsciences, international relations and political sciences,environmental studies, and others.Pluralism of the political system and differentforms of economic properties are making their way intoour country and are becoming pat of everyday life. It isimpossible to avoid these in higher education andscience. Everyone would benefit from different types ofuniversities functioning side by side. To give thefreedom of choice to humans is one of the necessaryfactors of progress.

In Search of "Khazar" 19CHAPTER 5ON THE THRESHOLD OF THE PALACEIt was September 1990. The academic year hadalready begun and everybody was greeting each otherand exchanging news. Ever "essential" topics such aspalace quarrels and difficulties of surviving were beingdiscussed intensively. When the group numbers weredown to two or three, money and love affairs wouldovercome other topics. When these hot topics wereexhausted other issues were raised.My unpublished article "Thoughts on scholarshipand education system" had reached a group of scholarsand become a lively subject of discussion. Variouspeople were approaching me with different questions,suggesting that I publish the article in this or thatnewspaper, and also giving some ideas and plans. I wasgiving short answers, in some cases with a smile and ajoke. I was thinking: "I wrote the article to create aninterest and to be discussed - and that is exactly what ishappening. So the main work is done and all that is leftis to make it a reality. This is the principal task now."One day Saleh Mammadov came to thedepartment of mathematics, and told me that he hadread my article attentively and enjoyed it.

20In Search of "Khazar"- You have touched upon serious problems.What’s next? - He addressed me with his usual slightlyarrogant tone of voice.- What can happen? - I answered a question withquestion, - I will try to publish it both in Azeri andRussian, enable more people to read it, maybesomebody will find it helpful.- That’s good. But there is another way. As youknow I am a financial adviser to the Prime MinisterHasan Hasanov and as such I see him occasionally. Ihave to be at one of the meetings in his office soon andif you don’t mind I’ll give him the manuscript of yourarticle. Most probably it will draw his attention. He is aman of progressive ideas and he is very attentive to newand unexpected ideas, especially if it’s related to animportant problem.Prior to this conversation I’d met Hasan Hasanovonly once. I took my friend from Canada, Yaghoub Shafai,to see him. During one of my visits to Canada Ilectured at Dalhousie University in Halifax, and becamefriends with two Azeri-scholars - a mathematicianHeidar Rajavi, and a professor in management YaghoubShafai. From then our friendship went from strength tostrength. My article "A scholar from Canada in his homeland"published in the "Literature and Culture" (Adabiyyatva injasanat) newspaper was dedicated to HeidarRajavi and our meetings with him. In April-May, 1990,Yagub Shafai visited Baku as well. After a TV programwhere Yagoub Shafai, Fuad Alaskarov and myself tookpart, Yagub-bey had become very popular. Peoplewould stop him on the streets of Baku, greet andcommunicate with him. Around that time I was told thatthe Prime Minister would like to meet Yagoub and we

In Search of "Khazar" 21were invited to the Council of Ministers for anappointment.Hasan Hasanov met us in a very friendly manner.First, he asked Yagoub a lot of questions, then turned tome and said:- Aren’t you the same mathematician Hamlet whowas talking about his visits to Canada on the TV show"Dalga?" 9He didn’t try to hide his pleasure to see oursurprised faces.The meeting lasted more than half an hour andwas very interesting. We discussed Canada, Azerbaijan,Iran, Zanjan, 10 economics, finance, management andother subjects and I think everybody enjoyed it.Up to this I had neither met a Prime Ministerbefore nor any other minister or top government officialface to face. For some reason I couldn’t take seriously achat of two people living lives so different that we couldhave been living on different planets. I think for thisreason our meeting remained in my memory as anexotic incident.I had to reply to Saleh’s suggestion of passing onthe article, but frankly even if my article would reachthe Prime Minister, I didn’t pin my hopes on his interestin the problem. The most appropriate, real and modestthing for me to do was to publish the article in anewspaper and thus draw attention to my ideas. Butafter some hesitation, I agreed with Saleh.- So do you think that we’ll get what we want?Does the Prime Minister have nothing to do but read myscribbling? More probably he has already forgotten me.Oh well, life is unpredictable. Maybe this is the way.Let’s go!So, my letter was sent to the Palace.

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24In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 6CHANGEWhen the Baku branch of the Leningrad Instituteof Finance and Economics became independent againunder the name of the Azerbaijan State EconomicInstitute, the program worked out by Leningradspecialists not only remained unrealized but disappearedcompletely. I have to remark here that this institute wasfamous for being the most corrupt among all higherlearning institutions in Baku. Though there were stillsome respectable researchers and professors, as well asthe hopeful youth, there wasn’t an encouraging workingatmosphere and no new staff members were brought in.In this condition I could not do anything useful even atthe department of mathematics where I was chairman.The new mathematics curriculum worked out by me forthree semesters was followed only by a small group ofinstructors. There was a group of teachers who madevarious excuses in order not to follow the program,arguing that the simple mathematical models ofeconomics would be too complicated for students tounderstand. They claimed that economic terms andproblems in mathematics are unnecessary. Then therewould be no difference between the mathematics for

In Search of "Khazar" 25economics, finance and management, on the one hand,and mathematics for engineering, on the other.One day the assistant to the Prime Minister gaveme a call. He told me that the Prime Minister would liketo meet me and we arranged an appointment.One fine fall evening together with SalehMammadov I went to the Cabinet of Ministers. On theway we decided that I’d do most of the talking to savetime and explain convincingly our aim. Of course, wecould never guess how long our talk would last. Wethought the discussion would be of general character, assome kind of probing exercise.Hasan Hasanov met us cheerfully andimmediately went straight to the main point:- I have heard about your ideas. Briefly tell me,what is your intention, what are you going to do?I was not ready yet for such an open conversationwithout any introduction. That is why I did a quick,neutral move, as if playing speed chess, to give myselfsome time to think:- Frankly, I only wrote down some of my ideas oneducation with the aim to initiate a discussion. I’m veryhonored to be asked about it on such a high-level.- I have invited you to personally get informationon what kind of university you are planning to establish- said the Prime Minister, and by making that move heincreased the pressure. This question was very unexpected,but at the same time I felt that a perfect atmospherewas being created. It was impossible to continue in avague manner, speaking the chess-players’ language,tactics came into action now. I decided on a sharp move.- Is it possible to establish a new university inAzerbaijan today? - Of course, I had revealed mysurprise and suspicion with that question.

26In Search of "Khazar"The Prime Minister smiled:- Well, I’ve invited you here today in thisconnection. I want to understand how serious your plansare.Suddenly, a wave of excitement raised inside ofme. I realized how very important this meeting couldbe, and I felt a conviction that something beautiful isabout to happen. This moment calmed me down, I feltthat everything now depended on my faith in myself andon my ability to be convincing. I became encouraged inthe way a chess-player who has an opportunity todemonstrate a good game would be. Of course, H.Hasanov’s high spirits that day, his well-wishingattitude and ability to see a problem quickly inspiredme. I took the initiative in my hands and relaxed, like ifI was talking to a colleague, and not to the PrimeMinister:- A breath of fresh air, a new movement in thehigher education system of Azerbaijan is as necessary asbread, as water. The deepening crisis of our educationsystem is obvious, it doesn’t need any specialexplanation. No measures are being taken to improvethe situation. Yet it will not be possible to makesubstantial changes in the entire education system. Ithink, one of the ways is to establish a new type ofprivate colleges and universities.H. Hasanov stopped me:- What do you mean by a new type? And what iswrong with the Soviet education?I explained:- Nobody denies the achievements of Sovietscience and the Soviet institutes of higher learning arenot bad either. But it’s not the point. What I want to sayis that the best times of our institutes are in the past, the

In Search of "Khazar" 27level of education has descended and research hasweakened. On one hand, it’s very much connected withthe chaotic condition in society and government, on theother hand, it is the result of having no reforms and notfeeling the pulse of the time. The education system mustbe taught and learnt just as any other kind of activityand as a subject, exposed to changes, be developed bymaking reforms. We do nothing in this direction. Toestablish a new and independent establishment foreducation does mean to make reforms in education...- OK, OK, we all see the lagging in education andscience, it’s not your discovery. Look, what would bethe main differences between the university you’regoing to establish and the existing universities andinstitutes?I knew I found the right direction for theconversation and could foresee a favorable ending. But Icould not forget that I was pressed for time to expressmy ideas. I tried to round off my thoughts:- It is a university, where the students will pay forthe education they receive. The teachers will be selectedvery attentively, their outlook, their research activity,teaching ability and their intellect will be taken intoaccount. The tuition fee will increase the student’sresponsibility, and will enable us to increase thesalaries, and the state expenses for education will bereduced. English language will be given a specialimportance. First it will be taught as a foreign language.Later, some courses and in future all courses, with a fewexceptions, will be taught in English. In other words, auniversity with English as a medium of teaching will beestablished. One of the main characteristics of thisuniversity will be the application of education ideastested in Europe and America, and all educational

28In Search of "Khazar"programs and curricula will be devised in order to meettoday’s needs.H. Hasanov stopped me again. The PrimerMinister often changed the direction of the conversationand didn’t allow chattering and monotony.- To choose English as the language of instructionis very important and interesting. How about theteachers? Are there Azerbaijani specialists able to teachdifferent subjects in English?- We have no problem with this in sciences. As tosocial-political sciences and humanities, of course, wehave very few specialists. Although it’s a small number,one can find scholars and teachers speaking English(even French) here. It should be sufficient to train asmall group of students. On the other hand, if we don’thave enough English speaking specialists, we can useAzerbaijani and Russian for the beginning. One of themain tasks is to enable students to read books andscholarly articles in English. And this will be possible atthe university we are discussing now. At the same timesuch a university must establish broad foreign relations.Eventually, the visiting foreign scholars can speed upthe English language education process.- How will you manage to invite the foreignscholars? Do you have money?I smiled, and decided to pass on this question inorder not to wander away from the main subject(naturally, I could answer the question, to mentionreceiving grants and other ways). I tried to demonstrateyet again a sense of self-confidence:- There are ways of inviting a small group ofteachers. We have friends too and their help will be ofgreat importance. Some foreign scholars, our friends,want to come to Azerbaijan to help us. They are aware

In Search of "Khazar" 29of our present conditions and they will partially providefor expenses.Hasanov said suddenly:- I have recently organized a business congress,probably you’ve heard about it, we had a lot of foreignguests. Peculiarities of a market economy were beingdiscussed. One could feel very strongly theinsufficiency of English speaking specialists in ourcountry. To teach subjects in English and to trainspecialists of different fields is a good idea, - and Iimmediately replied:- Instruction in the English language will help usto integrate to the rest of the world, we can have visitingteachers and scholars and our students can successfullycontinue their education at the developed countries ofAmerica and Europe.Pushing his armchair back H. Hasanov stood up,and so did we (Saleh and I).Hasanov turned to me and said:-You know the idea of establishing the universityis a reasonable one, but it’s only one side of theproblem. What pleases me is that you have goodworkable plans. I have felt that you know what to do,you have turned this work over in your mind. Also Idon’t think there is any necessity to set-up a universityor institute resembling our existing ones in any way.Your knowledge on the European - American educationsystem is very important for this work.- Thank you very much, - I replied.- Come to my office once again. We will try tospecify the subjects that are necessary for the beginningand identify problems that need to be solved andprepare some official proposal, - H. Hasanov said,

30In Search of "Khazar"smiled, then set the next appointment with us and weleft.Around the same time, my continuedchairmanship of the mathematics department atAzerbaijan State Institute of Economics was gettingmore and more on the nerves of the institute’smanagers. The department was one of the major ones,and they were eager to influence the entrance exampolicies that I was in charge of. I began feeling morepressure and many conflicts were created in superficialways. I started getting messages like "you have to leaveyour position or...", and there even were threats. Thesituation became such that this position no longersatisfied me as well.First of all, as I mentioned before, there was noopportunity to do anything useful. Secondly, I knew thatthe young teachers I invited to the department wouldsupport me in any event of discord, some other teacherswould not act against me and I didn’t want them to beincluded on any "black list" because of me. Also, thegap between the image of university that I hadconceived in my mind and the reality of my present jobwas so great that it led me to leave my position.One day I went to the vice-chancellor’s office andhanded in my resignation. He immediately called thechancellor and told him about my resignation andeveryone involved quickly agreed to accept it.Now I could dedicate myself fully to my idea. Iwas preparing for a new meeting with the PrimeMinister.

In Search of "Khazar" 31

32In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 7LIGHT AND SHADOWI was preparing for the discussion of specific andessential problems and issues during our next meetingwith the Prime Minister. Among general issues to bediscussed I was planning to place prime importanceupon two issues: the building required for the universityand financial support from the state budget. Also, as thePrime Minister mentioned himself, major departmentsand subjects needed to be defined. It was very difficultto plan in advance the direction that conversation wouldtake and the content of the official document producedas a result.I saw no problem in defining major subject areasand departments of the future university. I thought therewas no need to explain to the Prime Minister theimportance of training modern specialists in the field ofmanagement and economics. As a matter of fact hetouched upon this problem himself during our lastconversation. Law and social-political sciences could beconsidered as a second area of importance. Naturalsciences could be represented by mathematics andcomputing. Setting up medical education would

In Search of "Khazar" 33undoubtedly be a very difficult task, but it would benecessary to solve this problem as well.With all these thoughts I went to meet Hasanovagain. I hurried but unfortunately when I arrived in hisassistant’s office I was 5 minutes late. Saleh Mammadovwas waiting for me in the corridor. The assistantshowed us through to Hasanov’s office.Hasanov looked displeased; he shook his head inresponse to our greeting and looked sourly at us:- Why are you late?I would normally never be late for a meeting, andI myself do not like those who are. The PrimeMinister’s comment has increased even more myfeeling of discontent with myself. When Saleh wantedto answer I interrupted him and said:- I’m so sorry, it’s my fault. The traffic wasappalling.- When you are coming to the meeting with thePrime Minister everything must be taken into account.If you had left half an hour earlier you’d have neverbeen late.He was right, but his second comment hurt me. Aquick thought passed through my mind "that is whathappens when someone who is destined to sit at homeand prove theorems instead attends meetings with thePrime Minister."- All right, take your seats - Hasanov changedtone of his voice and smiled; - how are things gettingon?- Thank you very much, quite well, - answeredSaleh.I said nothing.Hasanov turned to me:

34In Search of "Khazar"- Where do you want to begin? You haveprobably prepared a plan about the departments andsubjects.- Undoubtedly, economics and management arethe first ones to come to mind. The market economy andappropriate management systems are among the fieldsthat require a new way of thinking. The presentmanagement education leaves much to be desired.The Prime Minister asked:- There is the Institute of National EconomyManagement (INEM) affiliated with the Council ofMinisters. Don’t they teach management?Saleh responded quickly:- They are holding retraining courses foradministrators, and the market economy is not taughthere.I added:- Our main goal is to teach modern economics,organization and management of business to highschool graduates. The next advanced stages would be toprepare specialists in more specific areas. And we’llachieve it by learning from the American experience.Your Institute of National Economy Management istrying to "renew" the unwilling old school specialists inthe shortest time.I have a habit of always using some humor in myconversation or even in scientific papers. This style wasformed over the years. It didn’t always serve to myadvantage - as an example, during the defense of mydoctorate dissertation at the Steklov Institute of theAcademy of Science of USSR in Moscow the mainobjection against my work brought by one of myopponents was "the language of the dissertation containsunacceptable level of emotion for the scientific work."

In Search of "Khazar" 35- Lately we couldn’t find anyone to send to thatinstitute for training courses anyway. There are someproblems with the institute, - Hasanov said as if he hadcompletely forgotten about our presence.I continued in a low voice:- Besides economics and management we’d liketo prepare specialists in law and diplomacy. The need inwell-educated diplomats will be increasing, andspecialists in this area are currently not being trained inAzerbaijan. Also our jurisdiction will be changed soonto accommodate changing times. There will be a specialneed for international law experts…- It is also necessary to prepare well-educatedpoliticians, - Hasanov declared his view of the problemand continued:- So, we are choosing two main areas- economicsand management and political sciences, - he said as ifconcluding.- It would be useful if we teach international lawside by side with political sciences, - I added carefully.- Well! - Prime Minister sounded uncertain, but itwas obvious that he didn’t have strong objections.I continued:- Mathematics and computer sciences are alsorequired.The Prime Minister objected immediately,unexpectedly for me:- Who needs mathematics? Who will want todedicate themselves to mathematics and spend moneyon it?I was annoyed a little. In order to understand myfeelings, imagine the effect of an unpleasant opinionabout the girl who you love and decide to marry.Moreover, there was some truth in difficulty of finding

36In Search of "Khazar"someone wanting to spend money in order to studymathematics.Hasanov smiled:- Of course, I had forgotten that you’re amathematician.I had to convince the Prime Minister:- We haven’t set ourselves the task to preparespecialists in modern mathematics, although it would bean important task in itself. Modern economics andmanagement are so close to computer sciences andmathematics, that sometimes it’s impossible todistinguish them. From this viewpoint it’s not possibleeven to consider the fundamental economics andbusiness education and research without teachingapplied mathematics, statistics, and computer sciences.Saleh, as an economist and financier, also agreedwith me:- One of the main reasons of ourlagging behind Europe and America isthe lack of computerization in oureconomy, finance, banking and management.- Well, I have no objection to it, - said Hasanovresting his hand against the edge of the table, - Wedefined major subjects. Let’s discuss other issues.I still carried on:- It would be good to discuss the medical andbiological sciences. Preparation of English-speakingmedics and doctors will be of great importance in thenear future if not today.Oh, no, - he said, - let’s leave this aside, it is anissue for the future. It seems you are not afraid ofdriving the State Institute of Medicine into a rage.

In Search of "Khazar" 37Generally, don’t expect that all will "applaud" and say"thank you" to you for setting up a new university.I added in a low voice:- Who will object as long as you give yourconsent to it? And if it serves the interests of the wholenation, why would anyone try to be an obstacle in itsway?Hasanov smiled and I thought that it is possible tointerpret the expression of his face in two ways "You’rea naive man and unaware of most things", or "Yes, inany case, my consent is the most significant in thismatter."- Well, tell me then, what will be the name of thisuniversity?" - asked Hasanov, - have you thought of agood name for it?I think it was the only thing that I had neverthought of - the name of the institution that I wanted toestablish.- Please allow us to think about it a little bit, - Iwanted to gain more time, - In any case the name of thisuniversity will be connected to Azerbaijan, its nature,history or geography.- Why university? Why not institute or college?- There are at least two reasons why this highereducation institution must be called a university. First,for the special attention that will be given to research,graduate studies, master and doctor programs. Second,we will not be limiting ourselves to only one or twoareas of teaching and research. In general, we’rethinking of taking most elements of the US universitymodel as a basis.- Well, what if we call it the "English LanguageAzerbaijan University", - said Hasanov, suddenlydeciding solve the problem there and then, - It’s a very

38In Search of "Khazar"good name. We have both "Azerbaijan" and "English"in it [That is, Azerbaijan University with English as amedium of instruction – Ed.]. What is your opinion?This name seemed a little bit strange to me, morefrankly I didn’t really like it. But I didn’t think it wasappropriate to refuse the Prime Minister’s offer, besideshe already said, "it’s a very good name."- Yes, it’s a very interesting name, - I said and setabout to express my doubt in a ‘peaceful’ way, - But Ihave never heard of the university name that states thelanguage of instruction in it.Hasanov put an end to the problem:- Let there be the name of the language in ours.And let the world see that there’s a university inAzerbaijan where the language of teaching is English.Let them understand that we are not fundamentalists. 11We are not a remote province of the USSR, but acountry, a nation turning its face to Europe andAmerica.Then he continued jokingly:- So, isn’t it well thought through? None of youcould think of it. OK, what’s left? Oh, do you have abuilding? Where will the classes be taught?These were still Soviet times. Though the SovietUnion had begun to collapse, there was inertness in theway of living, in thoughts. There was no privateownership. There were no people in Azerbaijan richenough (at least, officially) who would care abouteducation and science to an extent as to want to set up auniversity and spend money on its development. Thosewho knew about education and science and had newideas could do something only with support of thegovernment. For these reasons of course I could not

In Search of "Khazar" 39have a building for a university and I thought it was abit strange question to ask.I said:- We don’t have a building and to tell the truth,we have not done any ground work since we didn’texpect things to develop so fast. If for the beginning wecould have with your help a small building or a part ofany building and some financial support from thegovernment we’ll have enough time to prepare for thefuture.- A building and money is not an easy thing toprovide, in fact it is something we have a big shortagein, and not only for this exercise, - saying this Hasanovfell into thinking.We were silent. I was hoping very much that thePrime Minister would be able to provide a building forus. Obviously things do not always go smoothly. Itseemed we were not to be lucky in this aspect.Hasanov suddenly said:- Do you know the rector of the Institute ofNational Economy Management, Rahim Rahimov? I’mtalking about the institute affiliated to the Council ofMinisters. It has been mentioned in our conversation alittle while ago.We sat there, trying to understand which directionthe problem was going to - better or worse.The Premier with the help of his assistant gave acall to R. Rahimov. He spoke very gently to him:- There is a very interesting idea. You’ll like it.Come over here now. I’m waiting for you.Then he told us in a satisfied voice:- It seems I’ll be able to solve your problem. Iwill reach an agreement with Rahimov and you will beplaced at this institute. The rest will depend on you.

40In Search of "Khazar"We left the Premier’s cabinet and waited in thecorridor for Rahimov to come.Saleh looked very concerned. I wasn’t in thehighest of spirits either. It was only natural for us towant to work independently, without any obstacles sincethe success of any work mostly depends onindependence.I happened to have met Rahimov before. Whenmy friend from Canada Dr. J. Shafai, whom I mentionedpreviously, was in Baku, Rahimov had invited him tolecture at his institute and that is when our firstacquaintance took place. He was a very resourceful andorderly person. His institute and its surroundings wereneat and charming, not typical of Baku establishments.After that lecture he invited us to his birthday party.Since we had already planned to make a trip to Lankaran,12 I promised to try to attend his party if at allpossible. It happened that I kept my promise. For it hethanked me repeatedly: "Come to my institute if youhave spare time, to have a chat, maybe discuss an ideaor two", - saying this he didn’t hide his interest tocooperate with me on something.The number of participants was increasing...

In Search of "Khazar" 41

42In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 8A TRIPLE BARRIER...AND A RESOLUTION OF ESTABLISHMENTThe Prime Minister’s haste to find an accommodationfor our university perplexed us and evenconfused our plans, however strange this may sound.We were thinking of leasing a small building or at leasta part of it, which would enable us to set up an independentestablishment and think through its policies. Butnow we were about to establish close relationship ofsome kind with the Institute of National Economy Management,which was attached to the Council of Ministers,and this was not an exciting prospect.Hasanov not only invited the rector of INEM,Rahim Rahimov, but also the Head of the Department ofScience and Education in the Council of Ministers,S.Aliyev, to meet Saleh and myself. When there hadbeen three of us at meetings, I did most of the talking,with Hasanov directing the conversation with hisquestions and suggestions. Naturally, when two moreparticipants who were unaware of the course of previousdiscussions became involved in the conversation, myrole naturally decreased. The Prime Minister explainedthe matter in several sentences and explained thenecessity of this university.

In Search of "Khazar" 43Then he turned to Rahimov and said:- What do you think if we affiliate it to yourInstitute? Hamlet knows all about these things, he hasplanned what to do in the near future and then we’ll seewhat happens. If the venture is successful, we canconsider further development and financing.- I don’t mind, it seems to be a very useful stepand I know Hamlet well, he will manage this, - answeredRahimov in a slightly hesitant manner. He was probablytrying to understand what this all meant for him.Maybe he was trying to determine if there was any threatin this sudden offer, - But we have only four classrooms.How will we accommodate both the university studentsand those attending training courses? If we sharethe building, how will the relationship between thesetwo institutions be regulated?The Prime Minister seemed to understand R.Rahimov very well:- This English-speaking university is just beingset up, and for the time being it can function with asmall group of students and remain attached to ourinstitute. The number of those coming to trainingcourses is decreasing day by day and you can use analternating timetable - some classes could be in the firstshift, others in the second shift.I think the words "attached to your institute" calmedR. Rahimov down. So at least his organization andpost remained untouched. On the other hand this"attachment" issue upset Saleh and myself greatly. Itseemed with every word said our scope of activity wasbecoming more limited. It was too late to say "we havetroubled you enough, thank you, we will look for abuilding elsewhere." But I decided to try anyway:

44In Search of "Khazar"- Wouldn’t it bring about some misunderstanding- to set up the university attached to the institute? Whatif we start to function at Rahim muallim’s building forthe moment, without using the phrase "attached to", andas soon as we are on more firm ground we’ll findanother accommodation?S. Aliyev looked at me with expression of anxiety,bordering with disapproval. The Prime Ministerhas already made up his mind:- To set up a new university attached to an establishedinstitute can only be helpful. You will be providedwith accommodation and classrooms, there isnothing required from you, except to work out programsand start your classes.Rahimov wanted to clear up one more question:- What about the financial issue?The Prime Minister answered immediately:- This education will be paid for by students, it isa self- financing university.I spoke again:- It is absolutely correct, the financing of educationwill rely heavily on tuition fees paid by private individuals,but there is still a great need for financingfrom state budget. Paid education has not yet entered thepublic realm. People are not ready to accept it wholly,and the tuition fee probably will not be very high to startwith. In general, the new private university will be ingreat need of state support. There are at least two waysof solving this problem - state can provide finance takinginto account the number of students that are enrolledor a certain amount of finance can be given to the universityas a one-off payment.Rahimov agreed with me and also noted that thefirst option was more appropriate.

In Search of "Khazar" 45- It would be better if you wouldn’t ask formoney, - the Prime Minister changed the direction ofthe conversation:- Some preparatory work should be completedbefore setting up the university. Let us prepare aresolution, and as to the subjects and departments, thenumber of the students and financial problems you willhave to discuss these with the Minister of Education andthe Minister of Finance yourselves. I think it would bereasonable to start with three groups of fifteen studentsin each. Our next meeting in my office will take place assoon as you get the necessary signatures for the draftresolution.We left the Prime Minister’s office. First I madean appointment with Rahimov since he wanted to talk tome about the issue in detail. Then S. Aliyev invitedSaleh and me to his office and introduced us to hisdeputy, Qurban Amirov. We agreed that Qurban and Iwould prepare the draft resolution.The time had come to meet various officials,people of certain power and influence and let themknow about the ideas and to ask for their approval andsupport. I had no choice but to resign myself to thisprocess. The only thing I could do was to try to beconvincing and sincere.My meeting with Rahim Rahimov was interestingand partially diplomatic. This man who knew intimatelythe Soviet bureaucratic machinery was not an ordinaryperson. He could grasp interesting ideas quickly, and hetried to bring people working with him to his own wayof thinking.He asked me to tell him the main point of ourtalks with the Prime Minister. He looked satisfied andfell into thought. I was trying to read his mind: "If this

46In Search of "Khazar"idea of a university becomes a reality, and if my trainingcourses become even less popular, what will happen tothe National Economy Management Institute? Will theuniversity swallow the institute?" I think the PrimeMinister had the same reservations when he proposed toset up the university under this institute. And moreprobably he may have thought he was killing two birdswith one stone. On one side he secured the fastformation of a new progressive higher institution, on theother he gave the aging institute a gasp of fresh air, stopit from being criticized. Arriving at this result in myinner analyses, I tried to explain to Rahim muallim in adiplomatic way that I had no intention to overtake hisinstitute and his position, my only aim was to establish asmall and modern university where the Englishlanguage would be of great importance. I would alwaysfollow his advice and respect him. I never thought offighting him for power, as it would be against mynature. I think he understood that I would never exhibitany control ambitions and start racing him for powerwhilst we were sharing the same building. In otherwords, I was here only for the sake of setting up the universityand one day I would be looking for otheraccommodation to secure my independence and thedevelopment of the university.I think we understood each other and agreed towork alongside with mutual respect and support. Laterin the course of events some misunderstandings anddifferent approaches to some issues did occur, but therules of courtesy and good manners were alwaysobserved.Together with Qurban Amirov I prepared thedraft resolution and submitted it for the PrimeMinister’s approval (during the next months Qurban and

In Search of "Khazar" 47I worked closely together on some more documents andit was a very successful cooperation and partnership).Four different persons at the Council of Ministers had tosign the draft resolution and the Department of Scienceand Education was taking care of this. Saleh’s and myduty was to get Rahimov, the rector of the Institute ofNational Economy Management, Feyzullayev, theMinister of Education, and Qarayev, the Minister ofFinance, to sign the document. I should say that I didnot meet Qarayev. Saleh took on the responsibility toget the Minister of Finance’s approval since they werecolleagues. But for some reason the Minister did notwant to talk to Saleh. He refused to meet him severaltimes. Finally we had to solve the financial issuedirectly with the Council of Ministers and the Ministryof Education.On November 5 th 1990 I met Rahimov and hesigned the draft resolution. Now the only remainingproblem was to meet Feyzullayev, because the PrimeMinister demanded that we submit the list of majors anddepartments and all other education related issues to theMinister of Education for approval. Feyzullayev was theonly person among all Azerbaijani ministers whom Iknew before this affair. In fact, we were colleagues.When I graduated from Azerbaijan (now Baku) StateUniversity, my first appointment was at the Institute ofMathematics and Mechanics of the Academy ofSciences of Azerbaijan. At that time Feyzullayev wasthe academic secretary of this institute. He was a verylively, restless, fast spoken young man, a master ofpreparing all kinds of official documents very quicklyand finding common language and understanding withthose of high rank. He progressed very quicklychanging his posts one after another. First he became

48In Search of "Khazar"the deputy director of this institute, then began movingforward in the party line (The Communist Party).Having worked a little at the Party Committee of theAcademy of Sciences he was appointed a deputyminister of the Ministry of Education and finally hebecame the Minister.Feyzullayev met us in a very merry mood andembraced me warmly. He got acquainted with Saleh andbegan to talk. We discussed the world of mathematics,mathematicians, Moscow, our respective doctoraldissertations, 13 and he spoke very highly of me to Saleh.Then I inquired after his work at the ministry and hispersonal affairs, and at last we came to the main point.He wanted me to give more information. He had alreadybeen given some details by Qurban Amirov over thetelephone and his first and immediate objection wasagainst the idea of setting up the university under theauspices of Institute of National Economy Management.I told him that I shared his view, but noted that it wasthe Prime Minister’s suggestion and was connected withour accommodation problems. I explained that it wouldbe very difficult to take a step back now. He quicklysaid, "Let it be so." Then he added:- For the university to be under the Institute is notlogical. It is necessary to establish it also under the auspicesof the Ministry of Education. If it is a university, itwould be better to have a formal connection with ourministry; in this case its status would be higher.Of course, as I have mentioned many timesbefore, to function independently was the main idea andmain dream behind this university. But readers shouldunderstand that at that time there was no such notion as"private school" or ‘private education’ in our Law onEducation. 14 I was aiming to set up the university with

In Search of "Khazar" 49its own constitution that would reflect the idea ofprivate school. Now, we were offered to add yet onemore "under" or "attached to" or "affiliated to" inaddition to the previous one. In my opinion it wasalready enough to be affiliated to the Institute ofNational Economy Management that is in turn affiliatedto the Council of Ministers.I replied smiling:- It seems I will have to overcome a triple barrierto be able to have a Private University andindependence. "By" one organization and "under" twoothers, really is a parody of independence and Privacy.Feyzullayev answered quickly:- First of all, I support your idea to set up anindependent university. Secondly, I repeat once again,that to be affiliated to the Ministry of Education willonly be beneficial in solving your financial problems,and any other problems you might have.I had already understood that if I didn’t makecertain concessions, things would become impossible.The political situation in the country was unstable; therewas tension among the highest ranked officials, newpolitical groupings were being formed that I didn’t havethorough information about. It was absolutely necessaryto have all the resolutions and orders for setting up theuniversity signed as fast as possible.I said:- I have nothing really to add, I agree with you.You are more experienced in these issues.Feyzullayev laughed:- My rector, I have no doubt that you’ll establisha wonderful university. I will always be here to helpyou.Then he hinted towards Saleh and said:

50In Search of "Khazar"- Most probably Saleh will be...I immediately explained:- Saleh is my friend and colleague, we will worktogether.Feyzullayev immediately distributed all the postsof the future university:- And Saleh will be the deputy rector. My rectorand deputy rector, what else there remains to beresolved? – Saying this he rubbed his hands together.I asked him to concentrate on defining of subjectsand departments for the university. In the version of thedraft resolution that I had in my hand "Economics andManagement", "Computer Science, Statistics and MathematicalSciences" and "International Law andPolitical Sciences" were mentioned and I also wanted toadd subjects related to Medicine or Ecology.Feyzullayev expressed his opinion promptly:- "International Law" is not needed. It willimpede your work if you start competing with theAzerbaijan State University. "Muallim’s" attitude to thisproblem will be negative (By the word "muallim" 15 hemeant the rector of Azerbaijan State University, a wellknownmathematician Mirabbas Qasimov). Do youneed to cause serious misunderstandings from the verybeginning?I didn’t understand at the time why anyone wouldwant to fight me. I did have a feeling that there wouldbe a struggle but I couldn’t reconcile myself with thisidea because I couldn’t see a logical explanation for it.- Then, let’s call it International Relations insteadof International Law, - I wanted to demonstrate that Iwas not going to give up.- Well, I don’t mind, - he said, - but as far as Iknow the Azerbaijan State University is also going to

In Search of "Khazar" 51offer this major. Anyway, let it be as you want. As formedicine, this is going to be very difficult. You dorealize, the "Mafia" could swallow you alive. You hadbetter not get involved with medicine. Instead, ecologysounds like a very good idea, it’s a new and excitingarea, and it is a contemporary issue.After further discussions in the Council ofMinisters and Ministry of Education we included in thepaperwork that medicine and other additional subjectscould be started in a year. So, as a result of moremeetings, all the groundwork for setting up theuniversity was completed and agreed by everyoneinvolved and on December 20, 1990 the Prime Ministersigned the draft resolution. 16

52In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 9THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNIVERSITYAND MORE MEETINGS...The draft resolution of the Council of Ministersinspired me. I was beginning to live my dream. It couldbecome reality any day. According to the staff of theCouncil of Ministers, "the main work was done - thedraft resolution was signed" and now there were onlytwo "simple" things remaining in order to obtain thefinal resolution: to actually set up the university and "toprepare a constitution and get it signed, and to meet andconvince more people."I didn’t feel that all difficulties are now behind us:there were a lot of "draft resolutions" that nevermaterialized. Particularly in such hard times - "the wayforward is difficult, the world is dark", but I was notgoing "to remove my horse from the road!" 17 I was readyto put up a fight - only political muddle could render mehelpless.To produce the constitution of the university wasnot really difficult. I was taking my article "Thoughts onscience and education system" as a basis, and trying tounderstand the rules of the game and the ways ofavoiding complications. First of all I was trying tominimize our dependence on the Ministry of Education

In Search of "Khazar" 53and the Institute of National Economy Management.This dependence is reflected only in two articles of theconstitution: to create an annual report on the academicaffairs and research, and to get consent of the Ministerof Education and the Rector of INEM on solving theproblems concerning financing from the state budget. Irealized that receiving aid from the state budget would bean arduous and almost impossible task - from thisviewpoint the dependence of the university on these twoorganizations was minimal. However life isunpredictable, so I still wanted just in case to try toinclude an article on financing coming from two sourcesin the final resolution."Personnel are hired on contractual basis, and theuniversity can set its salaries independently" - thesearticles in the resolution were indeed signs ofindependence in those days. The article "the Universitycan create international relations independently" wassuggested to be completed with the phrase "and alsothrough the co-operation of the department ofinternational relations of the ME."I also succeeded in including an article thatshowed the university’s independence from the INEM,which stated "The Baku City Executive Committee is toprovide the university with accommodation by the endof 1991." 18It was also very common at the time for alluniversities’ curricula to be set by the Ministry ofEducation. I had included an article that enabled thestudents to choose at least some of their courses and itreduced the role of the curricula sent down from"above."I also included an item about the Student’s Union(which I really wanted to be active), about receiving

54In Search of "Khazar"grants for research, and about the right for the universityto have a university press, which I considered veryimportant.The constitution that I worked out consisted ofthe following general 7 items:1. General regulations, aims and purposes2. University management3. Organization of Academic Activity4. Organization of Research Activity5. International relations6. Sources and Principles of financing7. Legal StatusLater this constitution became the basis for theconstitutions of a whole family of newly establisheduniversities (sometimes it was difficult to distinguishthese constitutions from our original).The draft constitution had to be approved by theDepartment of Science and Education of the Council ofMinisters. Only one article, which stated "The activityof political parties is forbidden at the University", wasrejected entirely. My desire not to give an opportunity tothe Communist Party to function at the university wasmet unenthusiastically. I tried to maneuver and say that"I’m speaking about any kind of parties" but it wasuseless. I was made to exclude this item and I was eventold that "the personal relations between the firstsecretary of the Central Committee of AzerbaijanCommunist Party and the Prime Minister are not verygood. Adding such a sentence to the constitution isbarefaced hostility". "Don’t try to include it in yourconstitution, in reality you can work as you wish" saidQurban Amirov trying to console me.Meanwhile, the whole "world was falling apart." 19The Communist Party 20 was still functioning, but it was

In Search of "Khazar" 55not as strong as it was before. The movement againstthe decision of the USSR Supreme Soviet announcing astate of emergency in Baku 21 was strengthening. Therewas a great confusion in people’s minds - they couldn’tget rid of the old way completely, but couldn’tcomprehend the changes, couldn’t see the futureentirely. On January 4, (1991) the destruction of theKirov’s 22 grandiose monument in the park overlookingBaku had started. The official reason was subsidence inthe upland areas in the Bayil region of Baku. In reality,the national day of mourning, January 20, wasapproaching. One year had passed since the SovietArmy had slaughtered part of the peaceful population inBaku. Kirov’s monument, symbolizing the Sovietregime, was overlooking graves of the innocent dead.My further meetings with the Minister of EducationR. Feyzullayev regarding the constitution were notas friendly as the first one. Hasanov and Mutallibov’spersonal relationship was an issue, although Feyzullayevwho was close to Mutallibov, was trying to accommodateboth sides. He could see that the situationwas not stable and it would not be very wise to takesides. He would postpone our meetings on various pretextsas if trying to obtain more time for thinking it overand over again. Finally, I got Feyzullayev’s signaturewith the help of Hazrat Agabayli, Head of the InternationalRelations office of the Ministry of Education.I didn’t have a lot of difficulties in obtainingsignatures of the Baku city Executive Committee, StatePlanning Committee, Ministry of Finance, Ministries ofJustice and Communication who all had to declare theiragreement to the Resolution on the Formation of theUniversity and its Constitution.

56In Search of "Khazar"Now the Cabinet of Ministers had to issue a finalresolution (the name of the Council of Ministers hadbeen ‘desovietized’). 23CHAPTER 10SOME INTERNAL AFFAIRSI was working on the constitution from home. ButI would often go to the Institute of National Economy,mainly to meet my acquaintances and fellows whoheard about my activities and the university. They werefinding it very difficult to believe and really wanted tounderstand more. A few people were very enthusiasticand were offering support.While discussing different parts of theconstitution with the rector of INEM Rahimov, andexchanging views on different problems, we began toknow each other very closely. He offered me to takepart at the INEM’s Academic Council meetings and atthe same time said that he had given the order to preparean office for me with my name on the door. I thankedhim for his attention and said that an office would be ofgreat help. But I refused to "officialise" it and have myname on the door, since I was not yet an official personat this Institute and the resolution of the Cabinet of

In Search of "Khazar" 57Ministers had yet to be issued. Taking this intoconsideration and also bringing my busyness as anexcuse I asked him to postpone my participation at theInstitute’s Academic Council meetings. He liked thistactful objection and saying "if any problems arise,please feel free to address them to me" - he patted meon the shoulder in a friendly manner.The majority of my time was now spent on tryingto understand and identify the ways of teaching and setmajor guidelines for developing a curriculum for foursubjects outlined in the Council of Minister’s draft resolution.I was not thinking about mathematics, theteaching of this subject was quite clear to me. It wasregarding other subjects that I felt a need to learn more.I was either looking through different textbooks andarticles, or studying the catalogs of well-knownuniversities. I had to work especially hard on theprogram for Ecology department. Although I wassufficiently knowledgeable in ecology as a popularmodern way of thinking, I had to discover theenvironmental studies for myself as a systematized andintegral science.From that time onwards I had to constantly studyto be able to understand various areas of scholarship,their essence and various schools of thought closely,and project academic research into education. Thispleasant duty was mobilizing my energy and refreshingmy mind, keeping me "in a good shape" and as with myfavorite speed chess, making me to come up with thequickest and most beneficial moves.It seems that the first internal tension beganduring this time that I was working on the constitution.Saleh was talking to Rahim Rahimov one day and hadmentioned that one office wouldn’t be enough for us, to

58In Search of "Khazar"be able to function "normally" we needed at least twooffices. He would not give up and became quitestubborn during the discussion. Rahimov took it badlyand considered it an undue pressure upon himself andimmodesty on Saleh’s side, and expressed hisdissatisfaction. Saleh in his turn took Rahimov’sobjection as an injustice and could not help himselfarguing with him. They both told me their side of thestory and expressed their reproaches with each other. Iwas in quite an unpleasant situation, between fire andwater. I was trying to calm them, explaining that therewas no need to dramatize the situation and asked both toforget the resentment. But it appeared not to be an easytask.I knew that if Saleh would go to Rahim muallimand apologize then we would be able to solve thisconflict. But Saleh did not want reconciliation and wasinsisting that he never stepped beyond the boundaries ofpolite conversation. After this incident I noticed thatRahim muallim was colder in his relationship with mealso. Perhaps he was thinking "one can expect anythingfrom these people." Unfortunately, we never managedto erase this incident from our memories and hostilitybetween Saleh and Rahim muallim persisted. Later itbecame a big obstacle in the way of the three of usworking together.

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60In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 11A SIGNATURE ENTERED HISTORYI was told that I would be invited to the Cabinetof Ministers to have the next - and this time probablythe last - discussion. However it was not specified whenthis discussion was likely to take place. I could onlywait. I used it as an opportunity to read, study history, toplay chess and to try to rest as much as possible. Mysituation reminded me that of a soldier who is in adefensive position, who knows he will not be attackedjust yet and so is given a chance to have a short andmaybe his last rest.The political situation in the country haddescended into total uncertainty, there was a lot ofanticipation in the air, everybody was waiting for,hoping for, expecting something very important tohappen to the people and the country.Once I met Fuad Alaskarov (my former rector) bychance.- My congratulations to you, I was told that youare creating a new university - he said, sounding almostfriendly.I was not very pleased that he knew about theuniversity. We had had quite a few major misunderstan-

In Search of "Khazar" 61dings, I knew he was close with Mutallibov, and therelationship between the Prime Minister Hasanov andMutallibov was quite tense.- Oh, yes, I have been discussing this idea with afew people but it is still very much in my mind - sayingthis I wanted to cover up the issue as much as possible.As if understanding my concern, he just repliedbriefly:- If I can be of any help, feel free to let me know.I thanked him.Gorbachev was doing his best to preserve theSoviet Union. He announced a national referendum. TheHeads of most of the Soviet Republics supported him.During 7 March 1991 session of the AzerbaijanSupreme Soviet a decision to take part in the nationalreferendum was also made, although there were a lot ofpeople who were against it. The Republic’sadministration was inclined towards Russia, the PopularFront that was calling for an independent Azerbaijan(this organization was by no means free ofcontradictions either), was being prosecuted, HeydarAliyev had reappeared again 24 and the intelligentsia ofthe republic was in uncertainty. Society was shaken andwas looking for a way forward.Hasan Hasanov invited me in. Together, welooked through the resolution and constitution texts,then he smiled at me:- How are you?- Thank you very much, not too bad.- I have no doubt you are not "too bad." There is auniversity being created from nowhere and you aregoing to head it.

62In Search of "Khazar"I knew Hasan Hasanov’s way of saying things ina synthesis of seriousness and humor, which was similarto my own. So, I answered quickly:- It’s not being created from nowhere. You knowyourself - "no pain, no gain", without your approval andour efforts, we could not have even set up a kindergarten,let alone university.The Prime Minister first raised his head andlooked at me attentively, then he drew the paper nearer,set his glasses right and took the pen. He continued in afriendly manner:- All right, suppose I sign this now. You are goingto make your life interesting by working on this project,and what’s my gain in all this?I have not had an opportunity yet to express mygratitude to the Prime Minister for his sincerity andgreat help (I admit I am not very good at this).- Dear Prime Minister, I am sure that up to thisday you have signed hundreds of different documents.There must have been very memorable ones amongthem, and perhaps some of them not quite so. I assureyou that you are about to put your signature to somethingthat has a big future. This is an historic signature.I don’t think Hasanov expected such an answer.But the surprised expression of his face was quicklyreplaced by a very pleased one:- That was very well said! - And he signed theresolution. 25

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64In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 12THE COMMUNIST PARTY AND A GAME OFRECTORSHIPThe official announcement was made that a newhigher education and research center named "The EnglishLanguage Azerbaijan University" was established.But it was only an announcement, government permission,and the work was still ahead.This was quite unique work, as there was nobodyexperienced enough to help. Although some of the stateorganizations were named as responsible parties in theresolution, none of them were actually going to help. Ingeneral, times were changing, nothing new was beingcreated, responsibilities were reducing, political movementwas strengthening and an atmosphere of anarchywas emerging. It was finally realized that the NagornyKarabakh crisis will not be an easy one to solve, theinfluence of the center (Moscow) was weakening quiteevidently. On March 17, a referendum on whether topreserve the USSR was held and in a week the resultswere announced. It was communicated that the citizensof the Azerbaijan Republic as well as others voted topreserve the USSR. As usual this so-called "democraticvoting" represented interests of the ruling group, and notthe desire of the entire nation. 26

In Search of "Khazar" 65Feyzullayev, Rahimov and I once met at theMinistry of Education and had a brief talk. The meetingwas held in quite a sluggish mood and the main topic ofdiscussion was how to go about appointing me Rector.The discussion was along the lines whose letterheadpaper should be used for the appointment order, whatthe wording should be etc. A simple decision was taken- the order should be issued on ordinary blank paper,sealed and signed by both Feyzullayev and Rahimov(Minister of Education and Rector of the Institute ofNational Economy Management).At the same time the news leaked to media. Therewas a brief information piece on the front page of theBakinskiy Rabochiy ("Baku worker") newspaper. Itbriefly stated that a new university was set up in Baku,some of its characteristics were listed and it was also reportedthat I was the originator of idea of the university.I was pleased that the news about the universitywould now reach wider audiences. I did not think thatthe mentioning of my name would create any negativefeelings. Surprisingly after this article was published Ifelt a cold reaction from the "above."Rahimov was studying my biographyvery carefully. He was very surprisedhaving seen the phrase "not a memberof the Party":- I can not understand it. Youare a doctor of science, a professor,have visited foreign countries, evencapitalist countries, but you are nota member of the Party, how could itbe possible?He was speaking about the Communist Party andit made me recollect certain events of my life.

66In Search of "Khazar"... While I was at school, then university, thenworking and teaching, I was never interested and neverinvolved in such compulsory ideological activities as"social work" and various levels of "party school" suchas comsomol 27 and professional and trade unions. I wasstudying and working hard, and in my spare time tookmuch more pleasure in football, chess and arts, music,theatre, literature and history than ideological activities.I never even thought of becoming a member of theCommunist Party, besides antitotalitarian spirits hadalways prevailed in my family history. 28 It served as anobstacle for my foreign trips for several years: despitehaving interesting contacts with foreign scientists andreceiving numerous invitations to attend conferencesand seminars, it was almost impossible for me to goabroad. Not being a member of the Party was closing allthe doors in front of me. In Moscow and in other bigscientific centers of Russia the Communist Party wasless strict with scientists, but in the "provinces" such asAzerbaijan, non-membership of the Party was broughtas an excuse to reject promotion, foreign trips and manyother matters. It was made obvious to me that all myefforts to conduct joint research with foreign specialistswould be wasted unless I became party member. It isworth mentioning that in the second half of 70s andearly 80s I was intensively investigating the so-called"multiparameter spectral theory", and the well knownspecialists in this area were mainly working at theuniversities of US, Canada, UK and Federal Republic ofGermany, and I was dreaming of working together withthem. Because of this I joined the Communist Party in1986, but then with great pleasure and very convenientlyforgot the "Mother" Party the next day and continuedmy scientific work.

In Search of "Khazar" 67The Soviet military troops` terrible andunthinkable savagery in Baku in 1990, January 20 wasmet with wide spread protest in Azerbaijan. One of theways to express the protest publicly was to quit theCommunist Party membership. I was chairing a meetingin January 23 at the Institute of National economy, just3 days after the tragedy, and people were ripping theirParty membership cards in pieces demonstratively. Iwas one of those who quit my Party membership.Unfortunately, shortly after, the majority of those whothrew their membership cards away, went back withapologies and re-instated themselves as the Partymembers. Without Party membership I was feeling quiterelieved, so despite of the advice from various wellwishers,rumors, even threats, I bade farewell to theParty forever.Grief and anger in the country gave a new direction,and new impetus to the political movement. Everybody,even those who never before engaged in politics,wanted to speak out and to be heard, to define hisor her position in the society. We had long heated debatesamong friends, fellows and acquaintances andthese discussions naturally led to thoughts about a newpolitical party. I went along to two meetings of politiciansand people interested in politics at the House ofPolitical Enlightenment. 29 These meetings had quite theopposite effect on me from the intended - I decided notto ever enter politics. It just made me realize once morethat I am a researcher, my vocation is science and educationand it is more in my nature to keep as far frompolitical activity as possible and live a creative life.I was much more inclined to turn thoughts intomotion from the scientific viewpoint. However, since Ihad been gathering thoughts on events happening in

68In Search of "Khazar"Azerbaijan, I decided not to waste them and worked onan article entitled "Thoughts on National LiberationMovements." The analyses made in the article werecomparable to the current state of affairs in Azerbaijanfrom the historical-geographical point of view. For thesake of publication of the article I did not use the wordAzerbaijan anywhere, nevertheless due to censorshipthis article came out very late. Its shortened version waspublished in the magazine "Ganjlik", and almost sixmonths later in the magazine "Ulduz" with some abridgments)…When I told Rahim muallim that I left the Partybecause of January 20 events, he was very upset:- What have you done! What a dangerous thing todo! I thought you were quiet person and have nothing todo with politics! What are we going to do now?- Rahim muallim, this is not politics, this is a verynatural form of protest. And I cannot see what kind ofeffect it can have on my situation? I’m not going to takean official government post, and I have no intention tobe involved in politics. My life is devoted to reading,writing and education and I want to continue doing thisand benefit others. There is no harm in the fact that I amnot Communist.Rahimov said with a concerned look:- Don’t you know that someone who is not amember of the Party can not be appointed to the highpost? The post of a rector is one of the most prestigiousand respectful posts in a country. There are not a lot ofuniversities in Azerbaijan, are there? If you want to berector you have to be approved from the CentralCommittee (of the Communist Party).I did not lose my spirit:

In Search of "Khazar" 69- Rahim muallim, surely, times have changed.Now the Party is not what it used to be, it can not controleverything. Soon, there will be many new parties,everything is leading to that. When a multiparty systemis in place, I am sure that no political organization willbe interfering in appointment of rectors.It seems I did not convince him. Rahimov seemedtroubled about this problem. I realized that he waslooking for some ways to avoid it:- Well, I think we should appoint you theprorector (vice-rector) and you will still do all the work.You can be an acting rector.I smiled:- Rahim muallim, why is it possible to be a prorectorwithout a party membership and not a rector?Besides, how can the university with no rector have aprorector?Rahimov gave a call to the Minister of Educationand went immediately to the point:- Do you know that Hamlet quit the CommunistParty because of January 20th events? What can we donow, will you take on the responsibility of appointinghim a rector?The way he put the question was already implyinga negative answer. I can not say that I was enjoyingthe way he was orchestrating the events but I refrainedfrom commenting. Feyzullayev was talking on the otherend of the line and after a while Rahim muallim said"just a minute" and turned to me:- If we help you, will you take back your Partymembership?- Never.

70In Search of "Khazar"- No, he is obstinate, he does not want to, - andRahimov carried on talking. Then he put the phone receiverback and said:- The Central Committee gave instructions to theRegional Committees to seriously watch those whohave given up their Party membership. You do notknow what these people are like, you should have beenmore careful.I decided to finally speak out:- Rahim muallim, if you want you can nominateanother person for the position... Or you can nominateyourself if you wish. I am ready take care all of all theeducational aspects including curricula, academic programs,personnel issues and international relations. Forme the main purpose is not to get a high position formyself but to give a life to this new university. I will doanything to make this happen. We will see whathappens later.I wanted to remind him of an anecdote by MullahNasraddin 30 , but stopped myself in time.I think Rahim muallim understood my meaning:- What are you talking about? You are the onlyperson who knows this work, who started it all and youwill have to continue it. Nobody can prevent you fromdoing this! Let us appoint you a prorector both for researchand educational affairs. It means that you will becompletely independent in what you do, there will be nointerference.Rahim muallim had a look on his face like he hadfound the optimal solution and reached the best possibleoutcome for everybody involved.My concern was not whether I was prorector orrector. I was more concerned that from its very firstdays the university would be taken over part by part.

In Search of "Khazar" 71There was a danger that if I was appointed a prorectorof the English Language Azerbaijan University and itwas in direct jurisdiction of the rector of INEM, wewould eventually turn into a division of the INEM. As aresult the implementation of any new ideas would becomeincreasingly complicated. But it seems that the"glorious" Communist Party did not find me appropriatematerial for the Rector’s position, but found the positionof prorector more suitable (at least this was animpression I have been given).On April 18 1991 the Ministry of Education andInstitute of National Economy Management issued theirjoint resolution and I officially started work. 31The following day, on April 19,the prohibition hour and the state ofemergency that had reigned in Bakuover a year were lifted. On the sameday there was an article published inMoscow in the "Rabochaya Tribuna"newspaper about newly set up newstyle university - our university.Beautiful spring days had started in Baku.

72In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 13VOLUNTEERSSo, beginning from mid April 1991, anestablishment with a very grand name and dwarf-like insize, The English Language Azerbaijan Universityaffiliated with the Institute of National EconomyManagement of the Cabinet of Ministers and with theMinistry of Education, started its useful life. Asprorector for research and educational affairs I wasresponsible for all the organizational work and I wasalso the acting rector. The uncertainties between therector of INEM and the head of English LanguageAzerbaijan University existed from the first day.According to the constitution there were no commonareas between us, but the reality was very different. Thewords "affiliated" and "attached to", my being"prorector" and not "rector", our co-location under thesame roof, my being younger than Rahim muallim andmy weak contacts among government officials were thefactors for our increasing dependence upon INEM.Our new address was Lenin avenue 32 66, Baku,Azerbaijan Republic, USSR, P/O number 370007. Weoccupied one room at the INEM, but a little later weregiven a second one.

In Search of "Khazar" 73As a matter of urgency I wanted to find a goodEnglish lecturer for the university. I liked Baylar Hajiyev’sstyle of teaching whom I knew from the State Instituteof Economics. He used to teach English-speakingeconomists wishing to improve their language skills. Heaccepted my invitation without any hesitation (nowadayshe is the head of the department of InternationalStudents and Scholars).Rahimov offered me use of the services of his accountingand personnel departments but I politely declinedand so I had to hire three more people for accounting,personnel and registration offices.Some of my old acquaintances and some enthusiasticyoung specialists started gathering around me,and volunteers continued arriving. My former Ph.D. studentsAfgan Aslanov and Tofig Guliyev met our initialneed for mathematics lecturers (nowadays Afgan is thedean of the School of Economics and Management andTofig lives in the USA). Shortly after these two, a computerspecialist Bahtiyar Sirajov also joined us (he leftAzerbaijan few years ago and if I am not mistaken, is inAustria now).Two historians with Ph.D., namely, Eldar Namazov(currently an advisor of the President of theAzerbaijan Republic on Political Affairs) and RosaArazova (she is currently a chairperson of theDepartment of History at the University) wererepresenting history and international relations faculty.Three specialists were teaching biology, biophysics,ecology and geography: Ismat Ahmadov (now theChairman of the Biological Sciences Department), AsafAsadov (later he became the Chairman of the BiomedicalPhysics Department and Vice-chancellor, nowhe is an advisor to the Minister of Agriculture) and

74In Search of "Khazar"Shahin Panahov (later he became the Dean at the Schoolof Law and Social Sciences and currently he is aChairman of the Department of Geography andEnvironmental Studies). Two persons were responsiblefor Economics and Management Department - SalehMammadov and Samir Valiyev with Ph.D. inEconomics (he is now a Head of Department at the Ministryof Foreign Economic Relations).Shortly after with Baylar Hajiyev’s recommendationHusseinaga Rzayev became a member of our Englishspecialists groups (later he headed the EnglishDepartment, and was the Vice-chancellor and the Deanof the School of Humanities).Our discussions usually would go in two topics.First of all, I used to encourage discussion about organizationalstructure of our university and about our future.I would talk a lot about the history and presentdays of the leading universities of Europe and America.I would get emotional and not restrain my feelings. Inever concealed any plans, as I wanted to makeeverybody believe in our future. These discussions usedto inspire and motivate us, we were all burning withdesire to make our dreams to come true. There weresome pessimists among us, for example Tofig Guliyevwas in doubts about our future, and there were thosewho were still unsure and hesitating. But most of theteam was excited and happy. I understood a veryimportant truth - we had to painstakingly work on therealization of our dreams, and we had to try to achieveour ideals step by step. If we would take it slowly andconsiderately we would have time to test and try allthese new methods and learn by our mistakes. I knewmy colleagues would only start to have complete faithin our future after we became more established (and that

In Search of "Khazar" 75was still a long way ahead). My freethinking, intelligent"fellow travelers" still had a lot to learn. If I would onlyhave an opportunity to send these talented people toWestern Europe, USA, Canada or Japan beforehand, itwould have helped immensely and would give us somepoints of comparison. Unfortunately, it was not yetpossible. Still, although we did not have enoughammunition and our armor was not very new and shiny,we were firmly on our way to conquer distant heights.Secondly, on a more practical side, we had toprepare curricula for our first four majors. We did nothave much time to do it so we had to work out aprocess. I would describe and define the maincharacteristics of the subject, and try to identify variouseducational and scientific approaches. I would attemptto view objectively the strong and weak sides of Sovieteducational model in a specific subject and comparethem with the universities of other countries. Within aweek the specialists would present me with a first draftof the curriculum and after prolonged discussions wewould choose the final version. We would remark thatwork is never final and a lot of development workwould still need to be done, and move on to the nextcurriculum. We were trying to be creative, nevercomplacent, and would attempt by all possible means toexclude monotony from our work.I made a presentation to the Academic Council ofINEM about the main purpose of the English LanguageAzerbaijan University, the initial organizationalstructures for the first academic year, staffing issues,curricula and their detailed composition.Rahimov insisted that I had to send our newcurricula to different universities for references. There

76In Search of "Khazar"was absolutely no necessity to do so, but we agreed toit.The garden of the INEM, created by great effortsRahim Rahimov himself, was full of beautiful plantsand roses. It was the end of May and birds singing in thegarden could be heard through widely open windows.The little birds had to build their nests on time beforewinds and rains begin. We had to build up the universitybefore autumn as well. I was lovingly observing birdsfrom my office window and wishing them every luck.For the first time we celebrated the Day ofIndependence on May 28 – the day that was nevermentioned adequately in the Soviet history books. 33Our world was changing.

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78In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 14THE WEATHER IS CONSTANTLY CHANGINGOne more article was published about ouruniversity - this time in the "Bakinskiy Rabochiy" on 30May 1991. The article was entitled "Attention to everydetail" and gave information about the new university.The correspondent was talking to me from the veryearly days and knew all along that I was the originatorof the idea and was heading the affair. For some reasonhe introduced me as a Rector in this article - perhaps hegot confused with the messy titles or simply did not payattention to it.Rahim muallim was very angry. He did not tellme the reason of his irritation but he mentioned that theminister Feyzullayev was also very offended.I pretended to be naive:- Rahim muallim, do you think that the people atthe ministry were offended by me being introduced as arector and not as a prorector?- Of course, the Minister could not have liked thatit is being mentioned over and over again that it is youridea, moreover you are also a rector of theestablishment! How about all others involved in it? - Helaunched a real attack on me.

In Search of "Khazar" 79I answered:- Rahim muallim, tell the minister for me that as aprorector for academic and research affairs of the EnglishSpeaking Azerbaijan University I am ready tobring my most sincere apologies to the rector of thisuniversity. If it’s not possible now, I promise, I willapologize to him when he is appointed for a sin I havecommitted once and by aiming at his job while I wasonly an acting rector. What else can I do, who else shallI apologize to, is there someone else that was offendedby this?Rahim muallim expressed his attitude to mywords by simply shaking his head.The rectors of other universities startedexpressing interest in our work. It did not seem to methat this sudden interest occurred out of their feeling ofbenevolence or curiosity. On the contrary, I could tellthat we were guaranteed to have cold relationships withfour major institutions - Baku State University,Azerbaijan State Economic Institute, Institute ofForeign Languages and Azerbaijan State Institute ofMedicine.The main topic of my meeting with the thenrector of Baku State University, the well-knownmathematician Mirabbas Qasimov, was the perspectivesof the new university and what we had on offer in ourinternational relations department. I was answeringQasimov’s questions thoroughly, trying to explainideology behind the university, explaining how wewould be going about establishing wide scope ofinternational relations, marking the special role ofEnglish and other foreign languages. Mirabbas muallimseemed affected by this conversation to an extent that heoffered our university to become part of the Baku State

80In Search of "Khazar"University and function as one of its schools. "Thiswork needs to be independent and flexible and it wouldalso be very difficult to substantiate it legally" - I saidtrying to avoid this sudden suggestion.Shortly after this meeting I got acquainted withTuran Yazgan from Istanbul University, who had cometo Baku to organize management courses at INEM.Yazgan was a chairman of "The Turkish WorldResearch Foundation." He had a very sharp personality."Poor Azeri Turks, once they were obliged to studyRussian, and now you are inciting them to studyEnglish" - he told me disapprovingly. I was quite upsetby this remark. My purpose was misunderstood andwrongly interpreted. English and other foreign languages,to my mind, were a means of getting closer to therest of the world. The knowledge of foreign languageswould give a massive advantage for research and study.On the other hand the foreign languages would enableus to introduce our own culture to the world.The other reason for my being upset was that mypatriotism was hurt. My love for Azerbaijan, its culture,literature and music is endless. I have always stronglyopposed various movements that were directed at weakeningthe Azerbaijani identity and language. I didrealize that education received in English might causecertain coldness to our own language and culture. Evenwithout endorsement of the English language, the invasionof the western culture in Azerbaijan was evident.One of the things that occupied my mind at that point intime was to teach and research Azerbaijani language, literature,history and culture at our university in a veryintensive manner.I was told that the rector of Azerbaijan State Instituteof Medicine Dr. Yagub Mammadov (who later be-

In Search of "Khazar" 81came the head of Parliament and acting President of thecountry) would like to meet me.I was at Mammadov’s reception right on time. Hewas obviously waiting for me and started askingquestions immediately:- I was told that you have started a university.Tell me what it is all about?One could feel from the tone of his voice that hewas very much in the attacking spirit. Instead ofanswering his question I waited for the respectful rectorto calm down first.Yagub muallim slowed down a bit:- Would you please explain to me what does thisEnglish Language University mean?I gave him a brief description of the university asa whole, and spoke in some detail about the Economicsand Management department, the methods of teaching,and talked about importance of new approach to thissubject.Yagub muallim replied:- Well, I also have departments of politicaleconomy and foreign languages, which includes Englishas well. Couldn’t I organize such a structure within myinstitute by simply uniting these departments?I gave him more detailed information, talkedabout educational programs and curricula, explained tohim the purpose of such approach and somepeculiarities of it. Yagub muallim seemed more patientnow. He asked me about my own education, when andwhere I got my doctorate degree and about the countriesI had traveled to.Just as our conversation was taking a peacefulturn, he suddenly changed its direction again:- What is this medical-biological department that

82In Search of "Khazar"you are setting up? Medicine? - He declared not only hissurprise but also his objection.I did not wish the situation to become furthercomplicated and reminded him of the great need wehave in specialists in ecology. I reminded him that ourmedical-biological department would only deal with thisarea for the time being. Yagub muallim did not agreewith me:- Who signed the resolution on establishment ofthis university? What rights did this person have?I answered calmly:- This is the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministersand it was signed by the Prime Minister after theapproval of certain Ministries and State Departments.Yagub muallim continued in an angry but ever soslightly compromising tone of voice:- What ecology is it that you want to teach?I began to talk about ecology, its relations withbiology, medicine, engineering, about mathematical modelsused in ecology etc. Yagub muallim gradually calmeddown, a bit later he even became friendly and Ithought that the conflict had been solved.When I was leaving he told me that he wouldsupport me should an opportunity arise. Indeed later hehad a chance to prove that he was a man of his word.The weather was constantly changing, sky wascovered with black and gray clouds and the direction ofthe wind would often change....This tightly tied knot of our affairs would beentangled one day. "The clouds full of rain will soon becomeempty, this is the law of nature." 34 The nature wasnot capricious, it was simply demonstrating its many colors,and teaching us that everything is obeying its laws.

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84In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 15EARTHQUAKEWe were preparing for the first entrance exams tothe university. All the documentation required was putin order and the examination questions were prepared.We were also intending to organize pre-examinationconsultation sessions and meetings with the potentialstudents and their parents. At the beginning of June, wedecided to take some steps to secure positive publicopinion. I have mentioned above some articles in thenewspapers informing the public about features andadvantages of our university. Next, we placedadvertisements about the rules of enrollment, necessarydocumentation and entrance exams.The strongest medium to reach a wide public, toaddress the youth and their parents, to encourage themand to answer confidently the questions they wereinterested in was television. The program we appearedon was broadcast at a very suitable time of the day. Thecommentator introduced us and asked me to give someinformation about the university. All my previous televisionappearances were about mathematics, distantlands, visits and interesting events. This was anothertype, perhaps, the most responsible of my television

In Search of "Khazar" 85appearances. We (Husseinaga Rzayev, Baylar Hajiyevand I) had to communicate with the audience in a veryconvincing and sincere manner, to present our universityas a necessity for our present and future. I startedtalking in this direction, about the main values of ouruniversity and our plans for the near future. Theconversation was flowing so freely and naturally that Ieven forgot about the presence of the journalist andmyself involved Husseinaga muallim and Baylar muallim.Husseinaga muallim spoke about teaching Englishgenerally and for specific purposes and Baylar talkedabout main subjects and entrance exams. The commentatorwished every success to this "very important andvery timely university" at the end of the program. Agroup of people working on this program - journalists,producer, and cameramen - gathered around us after theprogram: "That was excellent", "we are all applaudingyou."In matter of days we started receiving numeroustelephone calls from Baku and different regions ofAzerbaijan. They were all interested in the enrollmentprocedure for the university. The commentator from theTV program gave us a call and informed us that "Wehave had no peace from all the telephone calls we arereceiving, the viewers are asking to repeat the program."All this publicity we were doing created anenormous amount of interest and excitement. But asthey say, "Man proposes, God disposes." A humanbeing relaxing under a green tree and listening to thesounds of wind does not think that earthquake will soontake place and turn his world upside down. The blissfuldays we were having could not prepare me for thedisaster that was about to strike.

86In Search of "Khazar"The journalist of the television program came tosee us few days later. He told us that he could sense thatthe program was met "with dissatisfaction anddisapproval by some high rank officials." He told us thatthe number of requests to repeat the program is so highthat the decision was made to repeat it at certain time andate. On that day we sat in front of our television setsbut the program was not repeated. The journalist cameto apologize and informed us that the videotape with ourprogram had mysteriously disappeared. "I really can notunderstand what harm could the university bring toanyone..." - he sounded very embarrassed.In a few days I was visited by a youngacquaintance of mine who had a close relationship withthe Minister of Education Feyzullayev. He tookenormous pleasure in gossiping and carrying variousrumors around. He came to see me with news:- Feyzullayev ordered his employees "to keepaway from Hamlet." It seems there are strong forcesacting against you. It seems to me, the Minister has beengiven an ultimatum from the Baku State University andsome other institutes. They are demanding that you needto be taught a good lesson.I took no notice of it. I did not see a great danger.I had doubts that there was any big and serious danger,and if there was a small danger there must be ways ofdefying it. The threat was so indefinite and uncertainthat I did not want to analyze how I would be taught "agood lesson." As it is said in The Koran: (XVII, 36)."And pursue not thatOf which thou hastNo knowledge; forSurely the hearingThe sight, the heart

In Search of "Khazar" 87All of those shall be questioned of" 35It would be fair to say that one of the weaknessesof my character is to be really uninterested in the face ofunpleasant rumors, gossips and news, instead of tryingto investigate them and establish their source andvalidity. I assume that I will be able to react when thedanger is right beside me. When the danger is close thepossibility of hitting the target is greater, but time isshort and danger is much greater. In chess in similarsituations the neutral move needs to be made on time.Of course it can lead to losing the tempo, but that wasnot the main reason behind my complacency. In order toinvestigate the danger I would have to go to meetingswith various unpleasant people, and I think mysubconscious was putting up a strong resistance to that.One day Rahim muallim invited me to his office.He looked very thoughtful:- There was a call from the Ministry ofEducation, you have to be here today, they have set up aspecial commission to inspect your work.- What work? - I said impatiently and let himknow how irritated I was, but I also wanted to receivemore information.- They are coming now, let us see what happens.No good will come of it.Rahim muallim’s reply did not sound veryencouraging. I got an impression he did not knowhimself why this commission was coming.The delegation of the Ministry of Education washeaded by the first deputy Minister Fikrat Babayev."How is business going?" - he asked me. I gave themsome brief information on the current state of affairs andanswered some of their insignificant questions. I could

88In Search of "Khazar"easily sense that my enthusiastic replies and the gloriousstate of affairs were not what they came to hear.Fikrat muallim put two pages of paper withsomething printed on them onto the table and saidwithout looking at me:- It was decided at the ministry that you are notready for student admission this year. Taking this intoconsideration we decided to stop your work.A cold shiver passed through my entire body. Iwas furious:- What do you mean we are not ready? Just aminute ago I have answered all your questions anddemonstrated our complete readiness. Who is that at theministry that can see from such a distance withtelescope whether we are ready or not?The other member of the delegation Khankishiyevtried to calm me:- Hamlet muallim, the ministry has not come tothis decision for no reason. Consultations were held anda resolution was prepared as a result, here it is. I thinkyou have to get acquainted with this document first.They began to read the statement and I felt myselfto be a condemned man listening to the unjust but finaldecision of the court. 36When they finished reading the statement, at leasttwo issues became very clear to me:First, it was obvious, that this statement was fullof contradictions and had been worked out hastily, itwas not objective and was a formal administrative document.The second issue was more terrifying - a terribleending was awaiting us. An order has been issued to killa newborn baby in its cradle, and it was unavoidable.Later it was confirmed in conversations that under thepremises of our non-readiness to conduct the entrance

In Search of "Khazar" 89exams they wanted to put an end to the entire venture.The most ridiculous aspect of it all was my beingone of the authors of this statement - my signature wasdemanded under this death sentence. The othernoticeable point was the distortion of the date of thestatement. The statement was backdated and the dateindicated was before any of our advertisements aboutentrance exams. It had to be demonstrated that they hadtaken all necessary steps on time. Indeed, this murderwas thoroughly planned.The statement was presented to us already signedby three representatives of the ministry. Fikrat muallimtried to show us that it is all done and dusted:- You know yourself, and God is a witness, thesekind of matters are not solved on my or your level. Wehave signed it, you should also sign it, one copy is for usand you have to keep the second one.Rahim muallim also signed the document. Then itwas handed over to me. "Farewell, my dreamuniversity." I had already pulled myself together afterthe initial shock and my anxiety has disappeared. Myhead started operating soberly again.I took the document and stood thoughtfully withit in my hands. I was handed over a pen, but I refused totake it:- It would be better to sign this document with myown pen. I do not have a pen with me at the moment, letme keep this document until tomorrow.I do not think they could understand whether Iwas joking or being serious. Probably, they thought thatI was shaken or did not want to be humiliated inpresence of everybody. They let me keep the documentbut did not hide their dissatisfaction:- Never mind, let it be tomorrow, sign it and send

90In Search of "Khazar"it to us, or we can come and collect it ourselves.I came up to Fikrat muallim when he was aboutto leave the room:- Fikrat muallim, tell me the truth, what is goingon here? What happened all of a sudden?- Hamlet muallim, your so called friends and nonfriendsare attacking. The matter has already beenagreed on, we are simply the messengers. Do nottrouble yourself, it will not help.I returned back to Rahim muallim. I wanted toknow his personal opinion. It was obvious that he wasupset about it. He had much more experience with highrank officials than me, and he accepted everythingwithout question:- Hamlet, son, if there was a slight opportunity tochange the situation I would sense it and would havetold you about it. You hurt those people’s feelingswithout any reason. This statement would have neverbeen issued if it had not been agreed on highest possiblelevel. Did you see I had to sign it too? It’s useless toisolate yourself; nobody will benefit from it, includingyourself. Life will go on, you will still do a lot of things.Sign the paper and send it tomorrow. You shouldunderstand that they could easily solve this matterwithout your signature.I said good-bye to Rahim muallim and decided togo home. But first I went for a walk at the shore ofKhazar (Caspian Sea). I wanted to recover. When I amin high spirits I am strongly attracted to high mountainpeaks covered in snow. In my despair I was longing forthe sea. The sea is very mysterious. Every time I look atit, it brings out different feelings in me. Sometimes it istranquil, its waves are kissing one another, its shades areemerald and blue, the sun rays and the moon light dance

In Search of "Khazar" 91smoothly in its waters and give rise to the most beautifuldreams. Sometimes it is dark and unattainable, angryand inconsistent and it makes me drunk with sadnessand nostalgia, makes me feel powerless. Sometimes allthese feelings unite and create a feeling close to anxiety.I spent a few hours looking at the sea. I left all myconfused feelings, fears and dreams at the seaside andreturned home.

92In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 16REVOLTJune proved to be a very hot month for us. All ourmeaningful and exciting days full of newspaper andtelevision advertisements, student and parent appealssuddenly were replaced by the order of the jointcommission of the Ministry of Education and Instituteof the National Economy Management to stop ouractivities. "After long consultations" it was decided toinclude five people into the commission: three officialsfrom the Ministry of Education, the rector of theInstitute of National Economy Management and myself,the head of the new university.Four of those that had signed the document hadno doubts that I would sign it too. The Soviet ways ofbelieving that everybody always has the same opinionwas applied in this situation. The Soviet society did notforgive those "who opposed the society."But I was not going to give up my work or leaveit incomplete. For some reason I had a firm belief in thefuture of this university. It was my vocation and my dutyto make this idea become a reality. I could not leaveit, it was in my blood and soul. There was only one wayleft - to rebel.

In Search of "Khazar" 93The revolt was inevitable. I would never sign thisstatement, no matter what the consequences were likelyto be. I would not be satisfied with this situation and Iwould attack. A great politician said "to be always indefense will sooner or later bring you to defeat." 37 I hadto be ready for anything. I spent the whole nightthinking about it and putting some of my thoughts ontopaper.... I have hated lies and hypocrisy since mychildhood. And now a false statement was prepared andI was asked to sign it and to hypocritically condemn myown work.The decision of this commission would never beconsidered valid if I did not put my signature on it. Ifthey set up a new commission without including me, itwould be very difficult to work out another statementsimilar to the first one, and it would probably contradictthe order of the Cabinet of Ministers. This judicialvacuum would enable me to continue my revolt.Any kind of sensation caused would bring nogain to the officials. They would never want todemonstrate that they were opposing something that isright, modern and useful.I was also convinced that those people who are inthis commission must have some inner feeling ofunease. They were committing wrong and they knewabout it. Perhaps if the situation changed, they would bequite pleased and will have chance to wash away theirsin (the longer my night long analysis lasted, the more Iwas getting into the psychological motivation of thepeople involved in this situation).The Prime Minister must have been informedabout all this. I knew that he had more important thingson his mind rather than the destiny of the new

94In Search of "Khazar"university. Political tension and palace intrigues weredeepening. If his political opponents and their allies thathappened to be heads of the various educationalestablishments could not accept the new university, thePrime Minister was not going to object to the removalof the "problem" by means of a single resolution.The commission members would not make a stepback, their self-esteem and importance would not allowit to happen. As a last resort I must offer at least oneconcession that would be acceptable for both sides.Assuming that my opponents and the officials wereconcerned with being able to settle the conflictpeacefully, my alternative suggestion could be useful. Itmight even be accepted with some gratitude. The onlysensible alternative I could come up with was to replacethe enrollment that we had already announced by theenrollment of students for preparatory courses. To thegovernment officials this could mean that they hadachieved what they wanted with an insignificantconcession and for us it would mean that although wehad been thrown back, our activities were carrying on.I had a clear plan of action. I would refuse to signthe statement prepared by the Ministry of Education. Iwould prepare a document that would demonstrate that Icategorically disagree with this statement. If anyonewould put together these two documents, one that is preparedby a person who knows the ins and outs of theproblem and another one prepared by governmentofficials, he or she would immediately see that thegovernment statement is ill-intentioned.I came to see Rahim muallim and said withoutany introduction:- Rahim muallim, on no account I am going tosign this statement. It is based on injustice and false

In Search of "Khazar" 95information. If there exists a commission that can makea decision about the university and if I am a member ofit, I have right to express my opinion. Here is myopinion. I have prepared a supplement to this statement.I would like you to read it before I send it to theMinistry of Education. 38Rahim Muallim read the documentin silence. He did not utter a wordafter finishing it, just picked up aphone and called the Ministry ofEducation, the members of thecommission came and picked up "thesupplement to the statement."I do not know what went on behindthe closed doors. But I think I fireda very successful shot. The answerwas unpredictable; it could even bean explosion of great strength.

96In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 17"THE TAMING OF THE SHREW" OR"WE LIVE AGAIN IN THIS WORLD" 39My written objection to the statement ofannulment prepared by the Ministry of Education couldnot have been left without response. MinisterFeyzullayev was very prudent person. He would nevergive an official opinion on anything that could bepotentially sensational or risky. He did not like to leavehis traces anywhere. His name was not even mentionedin the statement of abolition.The Minister’s next step was to try to ensure thathe had an official confirmation that the opinion of thegreat majority of people was that "the preparatory workwas unsatisfactory and insufficient". It was necessary toisolate the capricious man to tame him. TheAdministrative and Academic Council of INEM wasinvited to discuss the matter. There was no doubt thatthe Council would agree with the principal points of"the act of abolition."They also made sure that they defeated memorally. I received an anonymous call from theMinistry of Education. An authoritative voice orderedme to acknowledge my mistakes during the meeting ofthe Administrative and Academic Council and to accept

In Search of "Khazar" 97the resolution of the commission. I was also told toadmit that my response was written in a moment ofweakness and that I was to take it back. Before I hadany chance to reply, the caller hung up.I only knew two or three members of the INEMCouncil. I had a good working relationship with the prorectorof the institute, Doctor Vahid Akhundov. I wasvery keen to find a specialist who would be able toteach an Introduction to Economics course based on Samuelson’sbook, which was quite contrary to the wayeconomics was taught in the Soviet universities. 40Akhundov had offered his services and was lookingforward to teaching the course. He had gained a lot ofrespect for his intellect and modesty (now he is the adviserto the President of Azerbaijan on Economic Affairs).When Akhundov found out the agenda of theCouncil’s session, he wanted to hear my side of thestory. After a brief exchange of opinions he told me thathe was supporting me fully.Before the meeting Rahim muallim invited me tohis office and warned me: "You will have to make aspeech. Try to be reasonable and calm. Let us not makeenemies with the Ministry."The meeting began. After a brief discussion ofsome current issues Rahim muallim said: "Thecommission organized by the Ministry of Education, ofwhich Hamlet and myself are members, have conductedan investigation on the preparedness of the university toenroll students. Now Hamlet will tell you about thedecision at which we arrived."I objected to the work of the commission in myspeech and described our state of complete readiness toenroll students for the forthcoming educational year.Vahid Akhundov spoke after me and described how

98In Search of "Khazar"important this university was and that it was opening anew era in our educational system. He also said that thework conducted by us was sufficient to be able to enrollstudents.Rahim muallim addressed the members of thecouncil in a discontented way: "Who else has anopinion?" Jafar Valiyev (now the Chairman of theCentral Electoral Commission) said that he did notknow enough about the university to be able to judge,but on the other hand he had little faith in the work ofthe commission. Then people started speaking fromtheir seats interrupting each other: "It’s a new andinteresting work", "they are doing exciting things,working day and night", "nobody is willing to helpthem, let us at least try not to build obstacles in theirway." Quite frankly, I did not expect such a positivereaction from the members of the Council. At least itwas clear that the act prepared by the commissionwould not be approved and I jumped at the chance toreceive official support:- Rahim muallim, I think we should ask Councilto make an official statement by voting.Rahim muallim looked very embarrassed. Thecouncil that he headed did not obey him. He was also veryangry with me. If by sending the "supplement to thestatement" to the Ministry of Education I expressed myobjection and disrespect to the officials from "above", myvictory here would be considered by some as a directchallenge to him and his prestige (although it was nevermy intention). Rahim muallim suddenly said: "That isenough, we have finished" and closed the meeting.It was evident that the discussion was entirely inmy favor, but I had a strong feeling of disappointment.It was obvious that there was no way for truce anymore

In Search of "Khazar" 99and undoubtedly new measures would be taken tosuppress my revolt. I could not even think what otheractions they are going to undertake in order to teach mea lesson. Let Allah help us.For a few days nothing happened. Then Rahimovtold me that we were going to see the Prime Ministerthe next day. Since the resolution on the establishmentof the university was issued I had not seen the PrimeMinister. I had stopped meeting Feyzullayev too. TheMinister was discussing all the university problems withRahimov.I was expecting that the next exchange ofopinions would take place at the Ministry of Education.For some reason I was looking forward to the battlewith Feyzullayev. But Feyzullayev seemed reluctant tohave one. I suppose it was because he did not like theidea of two former rather friendly colleagues standingface to face in conflict. My ‘supplement to thestatement’ was based on facts, he knew my nature quitewell, and he also knew that I was going to stand myground in the issue. I suppose all of these made himmore reluctant to meet me.On the eve of our meeting with Prime MinisterHasanov I was feeling restless. Somehow I knew that Iwould not be given a "hearty welcome".Hasanov’s assistant invited us into his office. Aswe were walking to the door, Rahimov suddenly said:"You wait here for a moment" - and entered Hasanov’soffice and shut the door after himself! I was confusedand embarrassed. I had no doubt that the situation wouldbe definitely against me now. I was trying to amusemyself by moving my fingers on my knees as if playingpiano and my eyes were watching the arrows on mywatch. Twenty-five minutes passed. Rahim muallim

100In Search of "Khazar"came out at last and asked me to go in. He himselfremained seated in the waiting room.I wanted to hope that the Premier wished to seeme because he had already received the official versionof the story and now he wanted to listen to my side ofthe story. When I saw the expression on his face I knewthat the situation was much darker and more unpleasant.He showered me with his anger:- What is going on here? Why have you createdhavoc? You respect neither government, nor those whoare elder than you. You can not find a commonlanguage with anyone and you never listen to anyadvice. Is this some kind of anarchy for you? I musthave really mistaken when I thought I knew you.I did not expect such a sharp condemnation andcould not accept it.- Let me...- What else do you want? Everything is perfectlyclear to me. You quit the Party, you do not get on withthe Ministry, and you have offended and quarreled withRahim muallim.I realized that it was absolutely useless to wait forhim to finish. The Prime Minister wanted to prove that Iwas unjust and a troublemaker. And he was using wordsand expressions that I could not possibly accept.- Excuse me, but the situation is quite differentfrom the way you describe it. Let me...- Do you mean now that I am wrong too?According to you everybody is wrong! Couldn’t youjust concentrate on your own business? You should havetold me in advance that you are not capable of gettingon with people and this situation would have neveroccurred.

In Search of "Khazar" 101I became furious. The Prime Minister went onaccusing me of all possible sins and would not allow meto utter a word. This was complete injustice. I did notwant to listen to this anymore, one who is already wet isnot afraid of rain. I stood up and said:- Respectable Prime Minister, why have youinvited me here if you do not want to listen to me? Youobviously believe everything you are told about me, butfor some reason you do not want to hear what I have tosay. May be what I will say is more believable andreasonable. Four or five months ago you considered mecapable and resourceful, you signed the resolution andentrusted me with this work. And since then I have doneall that I could in order to put your resolution intopractice. Since then you have never expressed anyinterest in my work, in any problems that I had, andhave believed all biased information you received aboutme. You can think what you want, but I can not acceptthese charges. Either give me opportunity to work orannul the resolution that you created, and let me get onwith my life.I think my words had some effect on Hasanovand he said in much calmer voice:- Fine, we can listen to you too. I got a littleangry, and so did you. Let us have a quiet conversation.So can you tell me about this agitation that you havecaused?I tried to describe him the situation briefly,covering only important facts. At times he asked mequick questions. At some point he asked me why I leftthe Party and then just waved his hand and said "nevermind." Then he called his assistant and said:- Bring here the statement of the Commission andHamlet’s answer to it.

102In Search of "Khazar"My supplement to the statement was brought inbut they could not find the statement itself. I have afeeling it was not accidental - putting these twodocuments side by side would not be in favor of theauthors of the statement.I had brought both of the documents with me. Ishowed them to Hasanov. He said as though he wastrying me (or may be that what he was really thinking):- If all these people have signed it, it means thatthis was meant to be.I said:- If there is a Resolution of the Cabinet ofMinisters, if must be carried out. If I am charged withthe task to fulfill it and if I am successful inimplementing it, how can I possibly accept thestatement that denies it? By signing it I would announcemyself guilty. They will say that he had given him atask, and he had to admit his inability and had to walkaway from it with shame. On the other hand, if indeed itis too early and we are not ready to set up such auniversity, then let the Cabinet of Ministers pass a newresolution in order to annul the university that wasconsidered to be so important just three months ago!I tried to direct the conversation from discussionof my personal ‘inability to get on with people’ to themain problem - the university. I think that those fewmonologues I managed to have in between our dialoguesyielded some results. Hasanov had calmed down andthe beginning of this story, our first conversations andenthusiasm were revived in his memory and themisinformation fed to him by my opponents started tolose its effect. He admitted after some debate andexchange of views that the statement prepared by thespecial commission was groundless. But it was obvious

In Search of "Khazar" 103that there were some powerful forces behind this act ofabolition. Although the Prime Minister did notspecifically talk about these forces, it was obvious fromhis demeanor. He was deliberating while responding tomy suggestions and for me his hesitation meant that hewas having to mentally consider others’ opinions.Hasanov felt particularly strongly about one issueand he mentioned it to me a few times:- Why do not you get along with Rahim muallim?He is a wise, experienced man, he can be really helpfulto you, why are you so impatient with him?- I have a feeling of great respect towards Rahimmuallim and I have never showed him or his age anydisrespect. I simply want to be able to workindependently...The Prime Minister again flew into a rage:- What freedom, what independence are youtalking about? Do you know for example who I am?Yes, I am the Prime Minister, and I can not appoint asingle Minister or the deputy Minister by myself.I said:- And do you really think, dear Premier, that thisis right? Of course, not, it can not be right. Wouldn’t itbe so much better if everybody could take independentdecision within the frameworks of their duty?I think Hasanov’s opinion of me as anexcessively ambitious man only increased after my lastwords and he decided to show me that I was only anactor playing a supporting role in all this.- You should understand that you are neitherGorbachev nor Pavlov 41 in this particular work...I did not even want to ask him who are thenGorbachev and Pavlov of this work. I just said:

104In Search of "Khazar"- Probably my role in this corresponds to that ofYavlinsky. 42- Exactly, you are absolutely right. You havegiven the ideas, you are looking for ways of realizingthem, but you are by no means first in administeringthem, although you have been given a sufficientlyresponsible position.This statement did not satisfy or flatter me but Iwas quite excited by the strange game of comparisonswe were playing:- Maybe one of the reasons of perestroyka notbecoming a success is that people like Yavlinsky, whoprepared the programs on economic reforms, were keptas far away as possible from administering them?Believe me, dear Premier, I am not power mad and I amfar from a careerist. But with your blessing we havestarted a very good work and my only aim is to take thiswork further. I am convinced that we are at thebeginning of a very interesting, meaningful and distinctroad.After we said all we wanted to say to each otherHasanov invited Rahim muallim in and said that hisrecommendation would be that the university shouldbegin its activity with the preparatory courses. He said itwould be sufficient to agree this at the INEM Councilmeeting and pass appropriate resolution withoutreferring the matter to the Ministry of Education.So that is how the problem was solved. Evenwhen it seemed that all possible routes to go forwardwere closed in front of us, we found a narrow alley tofollow. I did not feel triumphant nor did I feel defeated.Whatever happens, "we were standing on our both feetagain." 43

In Search of "Khazar" 105

106In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 18MY TRIPS TO TURKEY AND OUR FIRSTSTUDENTSJune was a month woven of patchy ornamentalpatterns of delight and sorrow, attack, defense and truce.In the last meeting with the Prime Minister "a minimaldisturbance" option was chosen - to continue our activityby enrolling 15-20 students for the preparatory courses.(That was my last meeting with Hasan Hasanov as aPrime Minister, when the government of the PopularFront came into power he was appointed the UN’sofficial representative from the Azerbaijan Republic,and later the Minister of Foreign Affairs).I was resembling a man that barely had survivedan earthquake, but was nevertheless happy to be able tolive again. The following months from the university’sviewpoint were months of quiet thoughts and thebeginning of the "quiet" activity of our preparatorycourses. In terms of politics, these months will foreverstay in our memories as times of the greatest turbulenceand change.On June 4, I went to Turkey for two weeks on theinvitation of Istanbul University. During the Sovietregime it was difficult for Azerbaijani citizens to visitTurkey and Iran. These countries are so close to

In Search of "Khazar" 107Azerbaijan from the viewpoint of language, history andculture that we were kept away from them by means ofiron curtains. However this sense of mental proximitywas maintained mainly through literature of thesecountries that we were able to read occasionally. Itcreated a strange nostalgia for these countries in oursouls, and this endless, deep and mysterious desire wasmaking us travel to these countries mentally. Now thechanges occurring in our country were so evident thatthere was no reason to dream anymore: the dream couldbecome a reality.After some interesting meetings at the Istanbuland Marmara Universities I went to Ankara. There I gotclosely acquainted with fellow mathematicians workingat Orta Dogu Teknik Universitesi (Middle EastTechnical University) and met descendants of myfamily’s relatives who were forced to leave SovietUnion for Turkey in 1930s.My second trip to Turkey took place when I wasinvited to participate at the first Azerbaijan - Turkeyconference in mathematics held on 12 September 1991at Bogazichi University in Istanbul. During this trip myvery pleasant relationships with the leadership ofMarmara University developed further.Between 19 th and 21 st of August a group ofconservatives seized power in Moscow. They namedthemselves the "State Committee for ExtraordinarySituation" and their aim was to keep the Soviet Union asan entity. I was in Quba 44 when these extraordinarydevelopments were taking place and all I could do waslisten to the radio and watch television. Society wastrying to renovate itself - the probability of success ofthis attempt to stop the natural progression of societywas low. Nevertheless some statesmen did not read the

108In Search of "Khazar"situation correctly, "perhaps the Soviet Union can bereturned after all", and supported this Committee. Theleader of Azerbaijan at the time, Ayaz Mutallibov, wasamong them. The rebellion was ultimately unsuccessfuland it opened the way to independence for the SovietRepublics.During the last week in August Baku was boilinghot. "Lenin Square" was renamed "The Square ofFreedom" and Lenin’s monument in front of theBuilding of Government was dismantled. The crowdedrallies and demonstrations had become an inseparablepart of the country’s political life. The state ofemergency that was declared in Baku by Moscow’sdecree issued in January 19, 1990 was annulled by adecree issued in Baku on August 30, 1991. Moscow’sdirect and unlimited control had come to an end.The Popular Front was gathering momentum andthen... they stepped back unexpectedly during thepresidential elections of the Azerbaijan Republic. AyazMutallibov won the election easily with no competitionpresent. But the political tension carried on.We formed an examination commissionconsisting of eight people invited from variousuniversities and the Academy of Science to hold theentrance exams for our preparatory courses. Theworrying thing was whether people were going tobelieve in our advertisements since the Ministry ofEducation annulled those that we published in June.We were prepared to admit 15-20 students to ourpreparatory courses. Within a few days 51 boys andgirls submitted their documents to take part in theexams. We had sixteen submissions to study Economicsand Management, and the same number for InternationalRelations, ten wanted to study mathematics and

In Search of "Khazar" 109computer sciences, nine - medical ecology. Twentythreeof them had graduated from schools in Baku andtwenty-eight were from various parts of the country(from 23 different regions). One of them graduated fromschool with a gold medal (highest possible result achieved),two with the silver medals (second best), five ofthem had never studied English at school. Everybody wasexamined on English, and all but those that wereenrolling for international relations sat an examination inmathematics. Additionally, an exam on geography wasorganized for the future students of economics and management,on history – for the future students ofinternational relations, and on biology – for medicalecology.The entrance exams ended on October 17; and bydecree of the examination commission twenty studentswere admitted to our preparatory courses. We haveexpelled one of them very soon afterwards forunsatisfactory attendance.The majority of these first 19 students have nowgraduated from the university (6 of them with honors)while some of them continued their education in theUSA and Europe on student exchange programs. At presentleading companies in Azerbaijan and outside areemploying them, and some of them are continuing theireducation as master students.A day later, on October 18 two important eventstook place - one on a national scale, the other on theUniversity level. The Supreme Soviet of the AzerbaijanRepublic adopted a constitutional statement on the"State Independence of the Azerbaijan Republic". Azerbaijanipeople declared their will to establish anindependent State. At the same time I decided to set upan Academic-Administrative Council to govern the

110In Search of "Khazar"University. I issued an order that "the Academic-Administrative Council with its present members willfunction from October 18, 1991 till September 10, 1992with the purpose of making decisions on academic andadministrative issues of the University, and alsopreparing for the 1992/93 academic year." OurUniversity with its small number of students andteachers and its Academic-Administrative Councilstarted making its first steps into the real life.Around the same time we received our firstforeign guests - a scholar from the University ofCalifornia in Los Angeles, Naireh Tohidi, and theRector of Marmara University Orhan Oguz.Orhan Oguz had played a special role in thedevelopment of the Turkish education system (he wasformerly a Rector of Anadolu University and theMinister of Education of Turkey). He came to Baku onmy invitation and addressed our first students during theofficial opening ceremony of our university (October29, 1991).Orhan Oguz was a very wise and intelligentperson and an excellent administrator (he is now thehead of the Turkish State Radio and TelevisionCompany). Our acquaintance was turning into closefriendship. He was greatly interested in the Universityand our plans, and would strongly disagree with myhalf-joking, half-serious phrase "our toy university." Hewould bring a lot of examples about the famousuniversities that began their lives just like us. His firstadvice to me was: "Try to separate yourself from theInstitute of the National Economy Management as soonas possible, find a place for yourself and teach yourstudents there." His other advice was to accept hisinvitation and even, if for a very short period of time, to

In Search of "Khazar" 111go to work with him at Marmara University. Thisattentive man could see my despair, he could see that Idid not have any serious business to attend to in Bakufor the next couple of months. He also understood ourfinancial difficulties very well. Orhan Oguz was tryingto convince me that it would be more useful for me tobe in Istanbul during next 4 months than in Baku.Indeed I had taken on six lecturers, specialists indifferent subjects, to teach our 19 students and theclasses began and were conducted in very disciplinedmanner. I signed an order increasing the salaries of ourteachers from November the 1 st . They were now paid40% more than lecturers were at the state institutes.Then I left Baku with Orhan Oguz.

112In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 19BETWEEN MARMARA AND KHAZARThe colorful days I spent in Turkey could make agood story line for a separate article. After makingacquaintances with the leadership of the MarmaraUniversity I started teaching Calculus at the School ofEconomics and Management and Operations Researchfor graduate students at the School of Engineering. Iwould spend my days with the deans, heads ofdepartments and faculty members, trying to understandthe inner world of the Turkish University. Myconversations with Professor Sami Ercan, Head of theDepartment of Industrial Engineering were veryinteresting and informative. He had worked in the USAfor a long time and we would exchange our views onrelationships between West and East, Turkey andAzerbaijan, science and education and it would enrichour knowledge.On November 9 the Turkish Government passeda decision to officially recognize Azerbaijan as anindependent state. Both Turkey and Azerbaijan wererejoicing at this news. The Azerbaijani people werelonging to express their love and gratitude to Turkeyand its people, being the first to recognize Azerbaijan’s

In Search of "Khazar" 113independence. A lot of sheep were sacrificed, taxidrivers in Baku were not taking money from Turks,people were trying to invite any Turk that they wouldmeet on the street to their houses for a celebration meal.Orhan Oguz and Sami Ercan and some other newacquaintances were taking my concerns about our newuniversity in Baku very seriously. They told me thatthey would try to help and support us. One of the thingsI succeeded in was obtaining a lot of Turkish textbooksfor our library. Rectors of various universities and myfriends at Anadolu University (in Eskishehir) were veryhelpful in this work. Meanwhile I was trying to buybooks in English whenever possible. The transportationof the collected books to Baku could have been an issuebut "Azerbaijan Hava Yollari" (Azerbaijan Airlines)kindly transported the books from Istanbul to Baku.During this period some new punitive measureswere taken against me in Baku. On November 19 theRector of the Institute of National Economy andManagement Rahim Rahimov appointed himself therector of the English Language Azerbaijan University[that is, our University – Ed.]. He announced his ownappointment and noted that he acted according with "therecommendations of the Cabinet of Ministers of theAzerbaijan Republic." Baylar gave me a very worriedphone call from Baku: "There is talk around that Hamletis not fit to be a rector, he has run away and left all hiswork incomplete, he has gone to Turkey to have somefun and will never come back. What shall we do? Whatis your advice? We must find a way out of this situation,and some kind of prompt action must be taken."I took this news quite cold-bloodedly, indeed Isaw no reason to be overly concerned. I advised Baylarto be patient: "Get on with your work, teach your clas-

114In Search of "Khazar"ses with enthusiasm. Do not get pessimistic. Just let theuniversity live and function, nobody can take it awayfrom us. Start looking for another place, look foranything, let it be very small, far from the city center,old, semi-destroyed - it makes no difference. I will takecare of the rest, just wait for me to come back.Thoughts about our university were the air andwater of my everyday life. Sometimes I had someinconceivable ideas. I held on to reality with one handand with the other one I wanted "to rip stars from thesky." That is when a word came to my mind - "Khazar."The name of our university will be "Khazar" (Caspian)!There are universities in Turkey named after variousseas - "Kara Deniz", "Ak Deniz" 45 , there are Agean andMarmara Universities, why not name our universityKhazar. My Khazar University will live "in mymagnificent Baku on the Caspian Sea." 46 My KhazarUniversity will be as beautiful as the mysterious Khazarcreated by nature - the Caspian Sea.In December the Soviet Union had completed itslife after 69 years. The agreement about the formationof the USSR signed on December 30, 1922 becameobsolete on December 8, 1991. The New World setabout revising its material and moral values, and theindependent Azerbaijan Republic took its firststumbling steps. On December 25, a resolution wasadopted in Azerbaijan to return to the Latin alphabet. 47Indeed, this New Year was bringing us a completelynew and distinct life.Sami Ercan mentioned that there was a possibilityfor Azerbaijani students to do graduate studies at theschool of Engineering at Marmara University, and hesuggested that I could look into this opportunity. Idiscussed it with the Dean Ahmed Serpil and Rector

In Search of "Khazar" 115Orhan Oguz and the decision was taken to allocate allexisting five vacancies to Azerbaijani students. It wasdecided that the Azerbaijani students would study forfree at Marmara University and they would pay theirtuition fee in Baku to our University. It would definitelyhelp our financial situation.Generally speaking I lead a very active life inTurkey. On the request of the School of Education Ibegan to teach one more mathematics course. At thesame time I reached an agreement with the chancellorsof Marmara and Anadolu Universities and gave lectureson "The Essentials of Functional Analyses" for advancedundergraduates, graduate students and facultymembers once a week in Eskishehir. I taught in Englishat Marmara University and in Turkish at Eskishehir. Imade a lot of contacts and attended various meetingsand conferences at different universities in Istanbul –Bogazichi (Bosphorus), Istanbul and Yildiz – also,Bilkent University in Ankara, and Agean University inIzmir. I also had a very close relationship with theMiddle East Technical University in Ankara.But one of the most interesting and useful thingswas my observation of Orhan Oguz’s activity as arector. He never failed to invite me along to all themeetings connected with university administration andeducational issues, even when the meetings carried avery private character.

116In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 20ON THE WAY TO THE NEW HOMEIn January 9, 1992 I returned to Baku and went tomy office the next day. My meeting with RahimRahimov was very quiet and careful. He did notmention that he had appointed himself the rector of theEnglish Language Azerbaijan University. Perhaps hewas waiting for me to mention it first, to accept thesituation as natural development, reconcile myself to itand get on with my work under his leadership. He toldme: "I will not keep you for any longer, get back to yourwork, everything around here missed you." By this hesomehow tried both to confirm my importance to theUniversity, and maintain the status quo about the ‘firstviolin’. And of course I went back to my work that Imissed so much and called two subsequent meetings ofthe University Council. During the first meeting Ianalyzed the current situation at the University,portrayed our aims, emphasized that independence wasthe most vital question for us. I offered my colleagues totake two urgent measures: by taking the constitution ofthe University as a legal foundation to elect the rectorfor the University by voting and to move to a newbuilding as soon as possible to begin a new life.

In Search of "Khazar" 117My colleagues were very inspired by my returnand my desire to solve our problems rapidly. Myabsence caused some doubts and disbelief in the futureof the University. My suggestions were met with greatenthusiasm and during the second session of the Councilon January 27, as a result of unanimous opinion of the14 members of the council I was elected the rector ofthe University. My colleagues were very happy that wehad cut the "Gordian knot" 48 and were expressing theirdelight.No doubt that Rahim muallim was told about thiselection. At the beginning of our next meeting we satthere watching each other carefully. It was a verystrange situation - a university had two rectors at thesame time; one was appointed by "the recommendationof high rank officials" and by issuing his own order, theother one was elected following the UniversityConstitution confirmed by the Cabinet of Ministers andrelying on his own moral rights.There is no question that Rahim muallim hadturned over this situation in his mind many times, and feltthat the moment had come to take a final decision aboutthe entire situation. His relationship with IstanbulUniversity and Turan Yazgan had branched out, hisaspiration to organize a joint higher education formanagement was about to become a reality. Meanwhilethe English Language University like a hedgehog wasrolling into a ball and not allowing him to touch it. Was itreally worth trying to keep this University under control?I broke the silence: "Rahim muallim, we arelooking for a new place for ourselves, we will soonrelieve you of all these troubles." He listened to mecalmly. He did not carry on the conversation and just

118In Search of "Khazar"said, "it is your business." The Rectorship game wasover.Around the same time I met Baylar`s elder brotherTofig Hajiyev. He was a construction engineer andhe aided our University a lot and not only in his directcapacity. He has turned into a true friend of ourUniversity. He told me that Nana Kalantarova, the headof the education authority of the Khatayi region ofBaku, could be able to help with our accommodationproblem and introduced me to her. Nana khanum and Ifound a common language very quickly. She said: "Iunderstand your problem. How about the Kindergarten№240, will it do?" Saying this she examined me fromhead to toe as if trying to define whether I was suited forthe kindergarten or not. Then I went for a short meetingwith the Executive Head of the same region ElmirSharifov and that went well too: "You are doing a veryimportant job, I will do my best to help you not only inthis matter but in the future as well." Then we wenttogether with Elmir muallim to examine thekindergarten and discussed the plans of "transition fromkindergarten to university."So we slowly started moving to our new home.My duty was to ask the Minister of Education RafigFeyzullayev for his consent on this matter. I was notvery easy because for some reason he did not want tosee me. I took an "effective" measure and asked theDeputy Minister Abdulla Mehrabov to tell the Ministerto either answer my letter or I would use my legal rightto seek a meeting with him and we would have to have avery serious conversation."Soon we arranged a long-term lease of the half ofKindergarten №240 in the Ahmadli district. Six lecturers,nineteen students and some other employees mo-

In Search of "Khazar" 119ved to the new location. Around this time HusseinagaRzayev went back to the State Institute of ForeignLanguages and Firangiz Nasirova took his place. Thisvery lively lady very quickly became one of the mostfavorite teachers at the University.Independence often starts with poverty. Our newbuilding was almost derelict and quite inappropriate.We had everything necessary for teaching at ourprevious location in the building of the Institute ofNational Economy Management - well equippedclassrooms, all kind of educational equipment. Here wehad to start from scratch.With all its shortcomings this half of the kindergartenbuilding had two very important advantages - wewere independent, and there was enough room toaccommodate the student intake for the forthcomingacademic year. We were trying hard to clean the building,to make it appropriate for educational purposesand to equip all the classrooms.This was not our only success in February. Fortyeightstudents applied for the post-graduate studies inIstanbul. Five young Azerbaijani men showed the bestresults in competitive exams in mathematics andEnglish and face-to-face interviews. They paid us theirtuition fees and went to Turkey.An historian Farruh Bilici, Turk by origin butliving in France for most of his life, whom I met atMarmara University, visited us. He read series oflectures on "French political and economic trends inrelation to the Moslem East" for both our students andlecturers. The number of visitors from the USA andsome European countries began to increase and it wasvery exciting for our preparatory students.The life in our new home was slowly improving.

120In Search of "Khazar"CHAPTER 21THOUGHTS ON ADMINISTRATION ANDCREATIVITYIf from the mid 1990 Khazar was an ephemeraldream, a desire, a distant aim, towards the end of theyear it looked like the dream could become a reality. Inthe spring of 1991 the university was created on thepaper. At the same time our life was "spiced up" withdeception, jealousy and all sorts of obstacles. In the fallof 1991 we began teaching the preparatory courses withthe "blessing" of the Ministry of Education and theInstitute of National Economy Management. In midFebruary 1992 we moved to a new building – kindergarten№ 240 at the Ahmadli district. Khazar Universityspent its infant years, its innocent days in this building.We lived moments of laughter and joy here.Later Khazar University would move to variousother locations, for some years it turned into a mobileuniversity. But the most pleasant memories would beforever associated with this kindergarten university.We accepted with great joy having to repair thishalf destroyed building, located far from downtown anddesignated for children. Enjoying our independence we

In Search of "Khazar" 121were working days and nights with enthusiasm. LikeKaramov 49 after crawling for the first six months, wefirmly stood on our feet and walked, we even planned torun and then to fly. In September 1992 approximately200 students from different countries started theireducation at the university. The glorious inauguration ofthe University held at the National Opera and BalletTheatre would let everybody know about our gloriousexistence and glorious ambitions.Meanwhile I was looking for the answers to someimportant questions that were perhaps directed to thedistant future. First of all, it was very important to fightby all possible means the wide spread system of"requests", "favors" and bribing deeply rooted in all ourhigher education institutions. We must veto any activityof this kind at Khazar, to declare bribes and cheating inthe exams a punishable offense. We had to talkseriously from the very beginning to the teachers andstudents, and at the first opportunity to the parents toconvince them of our seriousness in this matter, to warnthem that nobody caught would be forgiven. We had toimprint in their brains that the entire existence of ouruniversity is about morals and purity.Everybody who has intimate knowledge ofAzerbaijan (or any other similar country) will know thatthe "knowledge is the only criterion" statement is notvalid at the higher education institutions. Indeed it isbeyond doubt that some parents (especially those whooccupy high posts, or those who are rich) will try to geta higher education diploma for their children by allpossible means. These parents are prepared to bribe, begand even threaten in order to obtain satisfactory marksfor their children who would not study and did not wishto learn. Would it be possible to stick to our principles

122In Search of "Khazar"and firmly say "no", "I can not do this" and ignore allrequests, presents and threats? It is not a naive questionand the answer is not trivial. The bribery and corruptionare penetrated in the backbone of the society and therelative poverty (and very badly paid teachers) is anobvious fact. There are significant changes going on inour economic and political life, but human minds stillremain obsolete. There are no steps taken yet toradically reform the educational system. All of thesetogether means that a university offering highereducation without bribes is bound to be seen as a uniquephenomenon.In my opinion the most important thing for us isto start our lives honestly, to lay an honest foundation toour future work. All we need is to choose our studentson the basis of competition, attract the best scholars andresearchers, establish a productive, flexible andenriching work atmosphere. Later intelligent studentsand their parents and a naturally formed positive publicopinion will be our main distinction. Opinions such as"Khazar is the best place to get a real, serious and highclass education; the education it gives is comparablewith that of the leading world universities" will be ourbest success indicators.We were also searching for the appropriate modelof education to be able to achieve our aims. The firstvery important step would be to intensify the system oftesting knowledge. The students would be tested on allthe subjects that they were taught, the subjects wouldnot be divided into three categories as was donetraditionally - subjects that lead to a graded exam,subjects for which only pass or fail mark is awarded andsubjects in which students do not sit exams at all.Besides we would not be satisfied by just examining the

In Search of "Khazar" 123students once, at the end of the term. There would betwo or more examinations during each term. The examswould be mainly based on writing essays andoccasionally multiple choice testing. Later we would beable to consider as a part of the assessment process astudent’s interaction levels throughout the course andthe lecturer’s opinion.The next step would be to alter significantly astudent’s transfer process from one year to another. Theawkward system making the students who failed one ortwo courses to stay in the same year and study all thecourses over again (even the courses he or she hadpreviously passed) will be changed as it is a barelymotivational approach. The number of credits earnedwould determine the level or the year of each student.This would save the student and parent from thepsychological burden of having to re-sit a whole year.The flexible and fair method of allowing students totake new courses and register again for the courses theyhad failed would be applied. At the same time it wouldnot create an incentive for concessions to be made to thestudents who are scared of having "failed the wholeyear." This regime must make lazy students (includingsome students sent to us by the State Student AdmissionCommission) 50 to understand that "without knowledgethere will be no diploma."It would be our best achievement to demonstratethat "weak students can not get a degree from KhazarUniversity." We must do our best to deserve commentslike "If he/she has got Khazar’s degree, he/she must be agood specialist", "Khazar University graduates areoffered the best jobs" and work hard to make theseopinions to live long.

124In Search of "Khazar"When I started putting into practice the principlesof education and science at our University, I once againtried to analyze and compare specific features of theEuropean Universities - Oxford, Cambridge, MoscowState University, Sorbonne University and others, andalso the legacy of the historically very mighty GermanUniversities (Berlin, Göttingen, etc.). I was studying thespecial role that German Universities played ininfluencing the American higher education system. Itwas very interesting not only from the historical point ofview, but was also helpful in trying to adopt the moderneducational models in Azerbaijan.I particularly loved American universities withtheir continuous competition and search for innovation.Among my favorite subjects of study were Harvard,Stanford, Yale, Cornell, Columbia, Princeton,Michigan, Berkley and Los-Angeles CaliforniaUniversities, and the Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology. On the other hand I did not want my brainto work under the influence of any of them. But themore I learned about their history and present eminence,the more difficult it was not to fall under their influence.One thing was certain - the realities of our existence andeveryday problems, and the transitional period from theexisting education system to a new one would keep mequite safe from being influenced by Americanuniversities. Even if an American University wasorganized in Baku (the university practicing educationprinciples created for them in the USA) and most of thefaculty members came from the US, I still have somedoubts that it would become a leading higher educationinstitute with deep research potential.I strongly believe that the Khazar University typeof higher education institute is more suitable to derive

In Search of "Khazar" 125full benefits of local research traditions and scientificpotential, to profit from the strong national culture andin its own turn to enrich it, to become a wonderfulsynthesis of international outlook and national values.The above can be easily proved by comparing Americanuniversities spread all over the world with the bestnational universities of those countries.I had a plan to set up a university that would givea priority to research. I understood very well thefinancial and organizational difficulties this could cause.I knew that it was necessary to invite the best scholarsto the university, but would all colleagues around meapprove and follow this advice unanimously? Wouldthey be not be afraid of competition and rivalry, wouldthey want to invite the scholars like them and perhapsbetter than them, or would they rather make themselves"comfortable" in their positions and recruit only thosewho would be of no threat?It is only in competition that a human beingdemonstrates its full potential. Even socialismunderstood the importance of competition and rivalry,but they dressed it in a socialist terminology.Expressions such as "the socialistic competition" and"the healthy rivalry" were common. But there was aproblem somewhere and there was no real rivalrypermitted. Maybe because the word "socialistic" alwaysprevailed over "competition", and word "healthy" over"rivalry." Perhaps the system of administration that didnot allow for real competition was one of the mainreasons that led to the breakdown of the Soviet Unionand communist bloc.To ensure rivalry, to give way to initiative, tomake the education environment more interesting andcolorful, I sincerely wished for private sector in

126In Search of "Khazar"education to be widespread and for many newuniversities to be set up. Of course, theoretically, anykind of new universities could have been set up - thosethat set low standards of education or took bribes. Inaively believed at the time that this was an honorableway and those who could join it would be capable,enthusiastic and honest, and that every new universitywould be a big step forward. Life would soon prove mewrong, and I would have to observe with regret the newuniversities carrying on in old and embarrassing ways.Unfortunately some private universities did all theycould to damage the reputation of private highereducation. But in any case there must be a green lightfor private universities and colleges.From time to time I would convey messagesabout education systems of the world and various experiencesvia newspapers, magazines, television and radio,at conferences, in order to help the public to understandprivate education and to weaken the resistance ofauthorities. Then I was included in the group preparingthe new Law on Education and tried to make privateeducation to be officially accepted.The occupation of Azerbaijani territories byArmenia was still continuing. Nagorny Karabakh waslost completely with the fall of towns Khojali andShusha, later Lachin, Kalbajar and other territoriesneighboring with Nagorny Karabakh were seized byArmenians. During two years we saw various Presidentsand governments come and go, and there was constanttension and instability in the country. At this tragic time,however strange it may sound, new higher educationinstitutions were being created and the private educationwas achieving its first successes. The state educationinstitutions were trying to avoid competing with the

In Search of "Khazar" 127private sector and were demonstrating their anxiety.This "non-healthy" competition caused the biggestdamage to our medical department that was going fromstrength to strength with every passing day.I was not forgetting about issues that seemed tobe so distant and unrealistic that I could easily becompared to Don Quixote. Ever since autumn 1991 Ihad an idea on my mind that would not leave me -Khazar University must have a territory for its owncampus. I would address the government many times onthis issue, I would even hire architects to prepare plansfor the future campus in order to prove the seriousnessof my intentions and speed up the solution of theproblem. In the US many years ago the so-called "landgrant" movement 51 gave a great impetus to thedevelopment of the universities, so why could not ourgovernment do it?From the very first days of our activity Idiscovered my weakest point - how can we chargestudents tuition fees? The government does not help thestudent, the people are generally poor, and it isembarrassing to ask them for money. Of course beingbrought up in socialism did not help - we all believe thatit is not appropriate to ask money for services that youprovide. I would much prefer to establish a foundationthat would help students to pay their tuition fees andaward grants for research. Another weakness of minewould constantly manifest itself - my inability topractice or understand the principle "if a problem can besolved by means of money then it is not a problem."There is also the need for constant networking andmaintaining relationships with government officials -something that I am not very keen at. Perhaps I ambound to always be in trouble because of it. And is it

128In Search of "Khazar"really enough just to try to do the quality work and relyon public opinion in order to succeed?There are an infinite number of problemsawaiting their solutions. On our way forward we areencountering new problems every day and often it isimpossible to move on without resolving them. Itreminds me of the way scientific research is conducted– "if you try to resolve a complex problem, even if youare not able to complete it, the results you arrive at willstill be useful". This approach seems to be veryappropriate for the development of the university.It is quite natural and essential to try to foreseethe events and approach the development of theuniversity as a highly creative work. Little by little I amincreasingly pressed for time to do my mathematicalresearch and I have to try to compensate this nostalgiaby creativity in my new vocation - education. Just as inmathematics, in this work one can not avoid tackling theproblem. It has to be analyzed, and if familiar andexisting methods can not be applied to resolve it thennew ones need to be invented. It is a pain, isn’t it? But iscreation possible without pain? Henri Poincare oncewrote: "to try to have no pain is a negative ideal, thiscan only be achieved if the world come to an end." 52And, is the pain of creation a real suffering or hiddenpleasure?Will the days, months and years I spend in searchof the perfect "Khazar" lead to the creation of auniversity "whose name will be known to nations, andthe news of its fame passed from country to country?" 53We will live and see.Inshallah! 54

In Search of "Khazar" 129The traveler is on his wayagain.

130In Search of "Khazar"

In Search of "Khazar" 131NOTES1. St. Petersburg was named Leningrad during theSoviet Period.2. At that time candidates to the Supreme Soviet(National Assembly or Parliament) used to benominated at special meetings by "people."3. Popular Front of Azerbaijan played an importantrole in developing and heading national liberationmovement in Azerbaijan when the Soviet Unionwas about to collapse. Later due to innercontradictions it was divided into several parties. InJuly 1992 it came into power and after a yearresigned. Nowadays it is functioning under thename of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (headed byAbulfaz Elchibay).4. Bakinskiy Rabochiy ("Baku Worker") was aleading daily Russian newspaper published inBaku, Azerbaijan.5. "Communist" - was a leading daily newspaper inAzerbaijani.6. The military conflict between Armenia andAzerbaijan on Azerbaijan’s territory called Dagliq

132In Search of "Khazar"(Nagorny – in Russian, Mountainous – in English)Karabakh is referred to here.7. In the former Soviet Union and Azerbaijan as well,the Academy of Science was an Institution with alot of research Institutes and a Presidium.8. The agreements were signed by the former SovietUnion with other countries.9. "Dalga" ("Wave") – was one of the mostinteresting and popular information andentertainment programs of Azerbaijan TV.10. Yagub Shafai was born in Iranian Azerbaijan.Hasan Hasanov said in this meeting that hisgrandparents were also natives of Zanjan, Iran.11. So called Islamic fundamentalism is referred tohere (approximately 90% Azerbaijan citizens areMoslems). We consider Azerbaijan a cosmopolitancountry, which is far from the extremism namedIslam fundamentalism.12. Lankaran – a town situated on the coast of theCaspian Sea, near the borderline of AzerbaijanRepublic with Iran. The sea, mountains, forests andsubtropical climate make this area very beautiful.13. According to the Former Soviet Union system ofeducation and scientific (research) degrees, thepreliminary (undergraduate) university educationwould take five years. In the last, fifth year, usuallya diploma (thesis) should be defended. Then to takethe degree further, one has to continue studying atan Aspirantura (graduate studies) for three years.Those who completed their studies successfullyand published the results of their research inscientific journals obtained a chance to get ascientific degree of candidate of sciences. In orderto get this Candidate of Science degree

In Search of "Khazar" 133corresponding to the US-type Ph.D. degree (Doctorof Philosophy in special fields) in most cases onehad to work on dissertation for four, five, evenmore years, instead of three. The highest scientific(research) degree "Doctor of Science" that doesn’tcorrespond to any degree in the US was not oftenachieved. At that time Doctor of Sciences degree insome fields (for example mathematics) could onlybe attained at bigger scientific centers in centralcities of the Soviet Union.14. The possibility of establishing private universitiesand their legal status were stated in the AzerbaijanRepublic Education Law worked out and adoptedin 1992.15. "Müallim" is of Arabic origin, it means "teacher." InAzerbaijan it is used both in its direct meaning andas a form of polite address, following the firstname. Normally an educated literate man would bereferred to as Müallim. For example: "Hasanmüallim" both indicates a person whose professionis teacher and is a form of address to a personwhose name is Hasan. (Compare: Mister,Monsieur).16. The following is the complete text of this document:Azerbaijan SSR, Council of MinistersRESOLUTION № 286December 20, 1990BakuOn the preparatory works for the establishment ofEnglish Language Azerbaijan University

134In Search of "Khazar"During the business congress held in AzerbaijanSSR it became evident that we do not have sufficientnumber of specialists for developing a market economy.The insufficiency of qualified specialists proficient inforeign languages, including English was particularlydistinctly felt. On the other hand, the Congressnecessitates that Azerbaijani specialists obtain diplomasapproved at international level, to enable both foreignand Azerbaijani citizens obtain world class education inour Republic.Taking this into consideration:1 0 . It is expedient to establish a many-profiledEnglish Language Azerbaijan University under theInstitute of National Economy Management by theCouncil of Ministers of Azerbaijan SSR and theMinistry of Education of Azerbaijan SSR. Theeducation system in this University will be based on twolevel system * according to international standards.2 0 . It is intended to organize the first enrollment tothe University in the 1991-1992 academic year in fourgroups consisting of 15-20 students in each of thefollowing areas:a) Economics and Managementb) Computer, Statistics and Mathematical Sciencesc) International Relations and Political Scienced) Ecology.It is advisable to train specialists in Medicine,Biology and other fields at the University in the future.* Bachelor’s and master’s degrees are meant here. The Ph.D.programs were deemed not to be necessary for the newly establisheduniversity.

In Search of "Khazar" 1353 0 . To finance the University mainly from twosources: private tuition and the state budget providingaverage expenditure amount for each student.In order to enable the University to beginfunctioning in time:a) In a month to prepare and to present to theCouncil of Ministers constitution of the Universityenlisting the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan SSR(comrade R.B. Feyzullayev) and the Institute of NationalEconomy Management at the Council of Ministersof Azerbaijan SSR (comrade R.K. Rahimov), Doctor ofPhysical-Mathematical Sciences, Prof. H.A. Isayev **and Doctor of Economics S.M. Mammadov.b) In a month the Ministry of Education ofAzerbaijan SSR and Ministry of Finance of AzerbaijanSSR will consider the possibilities of financing theUniversity from the state budget and present it to theCouncil of Ministers.c) The Institute of National Economy Managementat the Council of Ministers will solve the problems ofaccommodation, providing auditoriums and all theappropriate equipment and needs.d) The Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan SSR isto render necessary assistance to the University in itsestablishment and functioning.H. Hasanov** My official (passport) surname was Isayev.All my research pa-pers on mathematics werepublished under the surname Isayev. But all mypapers, articles and other works, devoted toother fields (as Education, History, PoliticalScience, Language Studies) were publishedunder the surname Isaxanli (pronounced asIssakhanly).

136In Search of "Khazar"Chairman of the Council ofMinisters of Azerbaijan SSR.17. This rhyme is taken from the ghazal (a kind ofeastern poem) by Nizami (1191-1209), the greatEastern thinker and poet, who was born in Ganja,Azerbaijan.18. This article of the resolution (as well as themajority of all the articles) was never implementedby the appropriate organizations.19. This phrase is a free translation of the name of thenovel "Dunya Qopur" (The world is falling apart)by A.Abulhasan, an Azerbaijani writer in the XXcentury.20. At that time the First Secretary of Azerbaijan CommunistParty Central Committee was AyazMutallibov.21. On January 19 Mikhail Gorbachov signed thedecree of the President of Supreme Soviet of theUSSR declaring a state of emergency in Bakubeginning January 20. During the night fromJanuary 19 to January 20 the armed forces of theUSSR Defense Ministry, KGB and USSR Ministryof Internal Affairs entered Baku, inflicted reprisalson the peaceful population, killed about 200people, wounded hundreds of people with manystill missing. Gorbachov’s decree was announcedon radio in the morning of January 20 atapproximately 6-7 a.m. (after the action had takenplace).22. S.M. Kirov (1886-1936) was one of the politicalleaders of the USSR, in 1921-1926 he headedAzerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (being the

In Search of "Khazar" 137First Secretary of the Central Committee of theCommunist Party).23. "The Council of Ministers" (The Soviet ofMinisters) was replaced by "The Cabinet ofMinisters." Everybody everywhere was getting ridof the word "Soviet."24. He was a well-known statesman of the USSR. Nowhe is the President of the Azerbaijan Republic.25.Cabinet of Ministers of the Azerbaijan RepublicRESOLUTION № 41March 18, 1991BakuOn the Establishment ofEnglish Language Azerbaijan UniversityTaking into consideration the great need in theRepublic of Azerbaijan for highly qualified, multipledisciplinedEnglish speaking specialists, to carry theindependent foreign economic relations and to transferto the market economy, the Cabinet of Ministers of theRepublic of Azerbaijan resolves:1 0 . To establish a multiple-disciplined English LanguageAzerbaijan University affiliated to the Institute ofNational Economy Management at the Council ofMinisters of the Azerbaijan Republic and the Ministryof Education. The education system in this Universitywill be based on two levels according to the worldstandards, where the graduates alongside with theBachelor and Master’s degrees will be given thediploma of an interpreter.

138In Search of "Khazar"2 0 . To approve the Constitution of the EnglishLanguage Azerbaijan University prepared by theMinistry of Education of the Azerbaijan Republic and bythe Institute of National Economy Management at theCabinet of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Republic(enclosed). The English Language Azerbaijan Universityis a juridical entity functioning in accordance with itsown constitution.3 0 . The English Language Azerbaijan Universitybelongs to higher learning institutions of the firstcategory. * To finance the University mainly from twosources: private tuition and the state budget providingaverage expenditure amount for each student. To givepreferences in salaries to those faculty members whospeak English. **4 0 . To organize the first enrollment to the Universityin 1991 in four groups consisting of 15-20 students eachin following subjects:"Economics and Management", "InternationalRelations and Political Science", "Computer, Statisticsand Mathematical Sciences" and "Ecology."It is advisable to train specialists in biology, medicineand other professions at the University in the future.5 0 . The Institute of National Economy Managementat the Cabinet of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Republicand the Ministry of Education are to solve the problemsof equipment, library, laboratory of oral speech andpublishing. To accommodate the English Language* Some elements of the constitution (e.g. high salaries) made it a topeducation Institute according to rankings of the Ministry ofEducation.** The regulations that guaranteed high salaries for English speakingemployees in some organizations are implied here.

In Search of "Khazar" 139Azerbaijan University at the building of the Institute ofNational Economy Management.6 0 . State Planning Committee of the AzerbaijanRepublic and the Ministry of Finance to solve all theproblems of financing the University, buying furniture,all type of equipment and transportation.7 0 . The Ministry of Communication to provide theEnglish Language Azerbaijan University with agovernmental phone *** and other phones.8 0 . Head Construction Company of Baku to makeoperational the hotel type hostel of the Institute ofNational Economy Management in 1992 for the EnglishLanguage Azerbaijan University.9 0 . City Executive Committee of Baku to solve theissue of the University building and provide fiveapartments for visiting teachers, until the end of 1991.10 0 . Department of Science and Education of theCabinet of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Republic to takecontrol of carrying out of this Resolution.The Prime Minister: H. HasanovDeputy business-manager: I. Hajiyev26. Falsification of the election results is implied here.27. Comsomol was the name of the youth organizationsupporting the Communist Party. It was made upfrom the phrase "Communisticheskiy SoyuzMolodyoji" (Union of Young Communists) - comso-mol.***Automatic telephone station providing special and directcommunication with high rank officials and offices is meant here.

140In Search of "Khazar"28. The author’s grandfather - Isaxan Hacibayramli headedthe uprising against the collectivization in theCentral Transcaucasia. He caused serious losses inthe Red Army and Soviet Militia. He died a heroicdeath in the fall of 1930 at the age of 33. His familyand close friends were sent to exile to Kazakstanand Kirgizstan, some of his brothers-in-arms,including cousins were forced to leave for Turkey.29. It’s a building near the walls of Ichari Shahar (OldTown) in Baku. Now the Ministry of ForeignAffairs is located in this building.30. Mullah Nasreddin is very popular in some EasternCountries (Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Middle AsiaRepublics and others) with his anecdotes. He isalso known by name Khoja Nasreddin in somecountries. The anecdote that is being implied hereis the following one:Once Khan [ruler of the region – Ed.] gave Mullaha donkey and told him to teach donkey how tospeak. Mullah was offered a great amount ofmoney for this work. Mullah of course agreed withKhan and asked to be given 5 years to teach thedonkey. When Mullah's wife heard about thisimpossible work she cried and begged him toexplain why he had committed such a stupidaction. His answer was: "My dear wife, God ismerciful. In five years, either Khan or donkey willdie. Both of them are guests in this world."31. Ministry of EducationInstitute of the National EconomyManagementby the Cabinet of

In Search of "Khazar" 141Ministers of the Azerbaijan RepublicRESOLUTION № 261/25April 18, 1991BakuOn the establishment of the EnglishLanguage Azerbaijan UniversityWe confirm the resolution of the Cabinet ofMinisters issued on March 18, 1991, №41 on theEstablishment of the English Language AzerbaijanUniversity (the complete text of the resolution is givenabove, see note 25...).For the implementation of the above resolution weorder:1. To appoint Doctor of Physical and MathematicalSciences Professor Isayev Hamlet Abdulla oglu theProrector for academic and research affairs of theEnglish Language Azerbaijan University affiliated tothe Institute of National Economy Management fromApril 15, 1991 with corresponding salary.2. Prorector of the English Language AzerbaijanUniversity H.A. Isayev is obliged:2.1. To present the draft structures and staff plans ofthe English Language Azerbaijan University beforeMay 1, 1991 to obtain confirmation.2.2. Within two weeks to present plans of activitiesof the University affiliated with INEM pointed out inthe resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers.2.3. Within a month to present to the Ministry ofEducation the curricula for all majors to be lookedthrough and get confirmed. Provide with the programsand academic documents of the education process.

142In Search of "Khazar"2.4. According to the "Rules for the admission to thehigher education institutions in the USSR" andinstructions of the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijanto prepare and implement the plan of activity for studentenrollment for the period of 1991/1992 academic year.To prepare the student enrollment plan defined in theresolution of the Cabinet of Ministers.3. Planning-Economy department of the Ministry ofEducation of the Azerbaijan Republic (comradeKhankishiyev B.A.), together with State PlanningCommittee of the Azerbaijan Republic and Ministry ofFinance to solve the financial problems of the EnglishLanguage Azerbaijan University in accordance with theresolution of the Cabinet of Ministers.4. Rector of Azerbaijan State Pedagogical Instituteof Foreign Languages Prof. Verdiyeva Z.N. - to renderassistance to the English Language University withtechnical equipment and organization of educationprocesses using the audio center of the Institute.5. Departments of the Ministry of Education of theAzerbaijan Republic and Rector and related divisions ofthe INEM by the Cabinet of Ministers are to assist inevery way to the new university.6. Prof. F.K. Babayev, first deputy minister of theMinistry of Education and M.A. Akhundov, prorectorfor academic affairs of the INEM are to controlimplementation of this resolution.Minister of EducationProf. R.B. FeyzullayevRector of the Institute ofNational Economy Management Prof. R.K.Rahimov

In Search of "Khazar" 14332. "Lenin" avenue is now named "Azadlig" (Liberty)avenue.33. After the October Revolution, 1917 in Russia,Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was establishedon May 28, 1918. This Republic was recognized bysome governments, but fell on April 28, 1920 afterSoviet occupation.34. It is taken from a well-known Azerbaijani poetSamed Vurgun’s poem "A Negro’s wish."35. "The Meaning of The GloriousKoran", Translated by MarmadukePickthall.Or see: (O man), follow not that where of thou hastno knowledge. Lo! The hearing and the sight andthe heart – of each of these it will be asked" (TheHoly Qur’an, Revised and Edited by the Presidencyof Islamic Researches, IFTA).36.STATEMENTOn the accomplishment of the joint resolution datedApril 18, 1991, № 261/25 of the Ministry of Educationand Institute of National Economy Management bythe Cabinet of Ministers of the Azerbaijan RepublicJune 14, 1991BakuWe, Prof. R.Rahimov, Rector of the Institute ofNational Economy Management,F.R. Babayev, First Deputy Minister of Education,

144In Search of "Khazar"Prof. H.A. Isayev, Prorector of the EnglishLanguage Azerbaijan University,Prof. M.Y.Mardanov, Head of the Department ofHigher Education at the Ministry of Education,Assoc. Prof. B.A.Khankishiyev, Head of theDepartment of Planning and Economics, at the Ministryof Education determined the following:1. Curricula and syllabus and other educationalmethodicaldocuments for the different subjects listed inthe aforementioned joint resolution have not beenprepared and affirmed correctly.2. The members of the University AdmissionCommission have not been appointed yet.3. Though the amount for the tuition fee was statedin the media, it has not been confirmed in accordancewith existing rules.4. The academic load for 1991/92 academic yearhas not been determined yet, and so the staffing issues,expenses estimate and the payment of wages and manyother issues have not been resolved.5. Student admission advertisements in the newspapershave not been submitted to the correspondingdepartments for approval.6. Until today the University have not presented itsproposals on the enrollment plans for different subjectsto the Ministry of Education and therefore there is noaffirmed admission plans.7. Under the exemplary enrollment regulationsaffirmed by the USSR State Education Committee in1991 the applications to the higher learning institutionsmust be submitted between June 25 and beginning ofJuly, and the entrance exams must be held beforeAugust 5.

In Search of "Khazar" 145Taking into account the above mentioned wedefined that English Language Azerbaijan University isnot ready for 1991/92 academic year and so it is notpossible to conduct the entrance exams at this Institute.37. This statement belongs to Vladimir Lenin.

14638.In Search of "Khazar"REPORTOn the fulfillment of the Joint Resolution of Ministryof Education and Institute of National EconomyManagement by the Cabinet of Ministersdated April 18, 1991, by № 261/25 andSupplement to the Statement dated June 14, 1991,on the fulfillment of this resolutionIn this Resolution № 261/25 I as a Prorector of theEnglish Language Azerbaijan University was employedto fulfill four following tasks:1. To present the structure and staffing plans. Thesedocuments were presented twice (the first and therewritten second versions).2. To prepare the plans of activities of the Rector’soffice. This plan was worked out, discussed at theAcademic Council of the Institute of National EconomyManagement and rewritten accordingly.3. To work out the curricula and syllabus.The original curricula for all majors were workedout. The practice of leading Western Universities,Soviet and Azerbaijan higher schools, research institutesand others was creatively taken into account inpreparing these documents. The valuable ideas of thetalented scholars of Azerbaijan, outstanding Sovietspecialists, also the point of views of Western scholarswere considered as well. Taking into consideration theimportance and originality of these curricula more thanonce the round-table meetings with our scholars wereorganized and thorough discussions took place. Wehave recently got some positive reviews on our curriculaand this process is continuing.

In Search of "Khazar" 1474. To organize the 1991/1992 academic year studentenrollment at the English Language AzerbaijanUniversity.Advertisements in different newspapers in Russianand Azerbaijani were published in a standard format.Tests and writing materials for exams were prepared, 20different blanks and documents were printed (most ofthem 500-1000-2000 copies). All works planned havebeen completed in order to receive the high school graduates’documents, the condition of classrooms andradio-TV systems has been re-checked. The schedulesfor entrance exams, pre-exam consultations have beenprepared. It has been decided to invite examinators fordifferent subjects from other universities and researchinstitutes for entrance exams. It was expedient to formthe enrollment commission consistent of three people - arepresentative from the English Language AzerbaijanUniversity, Ministry of Education and Institute of NationalEconomy Management.This information on the fulfillment of the resolutiondated 18 April 1991, by № 261/25 confirms that we arecompletely ready to hold entrance exams and haveworked out our educational process.In the notes above I provided answers to the most ofthe items of the statement dated June 14, 1991. Theappropriate answers to other items could be found in theofficial documents. For example, it is mentioned in theConstitution of the English Language AzerbaijanUniversity that the salaries for staff members aredefined on the basis of contract, these contracts aresupposed to be prepared in August. As to the enrollmentplans on different specialties it is needless to wait forthe suggestions from the English Language AzerbaijanUniversity. The enrollment plan is defined in the

148In Search of "Khazar"resolution of the Council of Ministers of the AzerbaijanRepublic dated March 18, 1991, by № 41 and it wasrepeated again in the joint resolution № 261/25.All of above brings us to a fair conclusion:There are no real reasons to hold student enrollmentat the English Language Azerbaijan University in1991/92 academic year. No doubt, there might still besome shortages, but all of them are easily rectifiable. Onthe other hand in the 5th article of the joint resolution №261/25 it’s noted that various institutions andorganizations have to render all necessary assistance tothe university. Probably rendering us this promised helpwill enable us to overcome the difficulties.It is necessary to talk about other issues as well.Whenever we hold the enrollment - this year or someyears later, the first year students will still have thesame classes in accordance with the standard program(intensive teaching of English and introductory courseson different subjects in their native language).After the resolution of the Council of Ministers ofthe Azerbaijan SSR dated December 20, by №286 p. wesucceeded in gathering the English Speaking scholarsand mobilized all their offerings for successfuleducation. If the opening of the university is postponedit will bring about a lot of dissatisfaction and demotivatethis able group of people.If some changes are required then certainconcessions can be made. For example, we could holdthe entrance exams now and begin classes on 1 Octoberinstead of 1 September, or to hold entrance exams at theend of July. The other option is to enroll students to thepreparatory course and begin degree study a year later.Taking into account the above information I feel obligedto mention once again that it is expedient to hold

In Search of "Khazar" 149the student enrollment at the English LanguageAzerbaijan University this year and begin its activity.39. W. Shakespeare’s play "The Taming of the Shrew"is refered to here. Second phrase is from SamedVurgun’s (1906-1956) poem "The Standard-bearerof the Time."40. A well-known economist, Nobel Prize winner P.Samuelson is being implied.41. The then Chairman of the Council of Ministers ofthe USSR Boris Pavlov.42. Grigoriy Yavlinskiy at that time was known as aneconomist reformer and he was the author of aprogram considered by the government forimplementation.43. A quotation from Samed Vurgun’s poem "TheStandard-bearer of the Time."44. A town situated 165 km away from Baku (it is alsoa center of the region with the same name).45. Gara Daniz = The Black Sea, Ak Deniz = TheMediterranean, Khazar = The Caspian.46. This phrase is from the KhazarUniversity hymn entitled "MyKhazar University" (lyrics byHamlet Isaxanli, music by wellknownAzerbaijani composers RamizMustafayev and Vasif Adi-gozalov).47. In 1924 Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republicissued a decree to transfer from Arabic alphabet toLatin and the new alphabet was effective until 1939(it should be noted that the Latin alphabet inTurkey today was adopted in 1928 and was veryclose to Latin-based Azerbaijani alphabet). From

150In Search of "Khazar"1939 to 1991 Cyrillic alphabet was used inAzerbaijan. Nowadays, both Cyrillic and Latinalphabets are used. There was an official resolutionto transfer to Latin alphabet, but it will happenstage by stage. More than 20 million Azeris livingin Iranian Azerbaijan use Arabic alphabet.48. The belt of the legendary ruler Gordy was tied in atight knot. A legend said that he who succeeded inuntying this tight knot would conquer Asia.Alexander III of Macedonia (Alexander the Great)(BC 334/333) cut the knot with his sword and putan end to this matter.49. Karamov is a personage from the musical comedy"Toy" ("Wedding Party") by Azerbaijani writer SabitRahman (1910-1970). Karamov is a liar. He insiststhat he was walking when he was six monthsold. When nobody believed his lie he was persistent:"Karamov can walk."50. The secondary school graduates in the AzerbaijanRepublic have to fill in the application forms andpresent them to the State Student AdmissionCommission. They have to indicate the subject theywant to study and the university where they want tostudy at. The students are sent to differentuniversities according to the results of the entranceexams.51. Morril Act signed in 1862 by Abraham Lincoln isbeing implied.52. The scientific-philosophical treaties ("Science andHypothesis", "The Value of Science", "Science andMethod", "The Last View Points") by a wellknownFrench mathematician and philosopherHenri Poincare (1854-1912) are implied here.

In Search of "Khazar" 15153. This phrase is taken from the hymn of KhazarUniversity entitled "My Khazar University" (Lyricsby Hamlet Isaxanli, music by Ramiz Mustafayevand Vasif Adigozalov).54. Inshallah – a word of Arabic origin used in allMoslem languages. It means "if God pleases."Translated from the AzeriByAygun Isayeva/GardnierandAfgan Abdullayev