The International Conference “Yusif Mammadaliyev: Science. Heritage. Innovations” has Begun

On December 4, an international conference entitled “Yusif Mammadaliyev: Science. Heritage. Innovations” dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev kicked off.

AZERTAC reports that the conference, jointly organized by the Ministry of Science and Education and the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), is dedicated to studying and reassessing, from a contemporary perspective, the scientific legacy of the prominent chemist and academician, who made exceptional contributions to the development of Azerbaijani science.

First, the participants visited the graves of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and Academician Zarifa Aliyeva in the Alley of Honor. They laid wreaths and flowers at the graves of the National Leader and the prominent ophthalmologist, and commemorated their cherished memories with deep respect.

The participants then visited the grave of Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev and paid tribute to his memory.

Before the opening ceremony at the Presidium of ANAS building, participants viewed a photo exhibition dedicated to the life and work of Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev said Yusif Mammadaliyev’s scientific legacy is widely applied today in the chemical industry, research institutions, and higher education programs.

Emphasizing that the Ministry of Science and Education is taking consistent steps to promote science, strengthen the integration of science and education, and support researchers, Emin Amrullayev noted that events are being organized at scientific and educational institutions to inform the public, scholars, and students about Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev’s life and work on the occasion of his 120th anniversary. Students are also being assigned research projects on relevant topics.

He noted that establishing various research grants, scholarships, and other instruments supporting young scientists in the name of Yusif Mammadaliyev would make an important contribution to preserving and advancing this legacy.

According to the minister, establishing scholarships and fellowship programs for young scientists from Azerbaijan and other countries would help pass Yusif Mammadaliyev’s name to the younger generation more effectively and support scientific initiatives worldwide.
Emin Amrullayev emphasized that plans are in place to launch the Yusif Mammadaliyev Chemistry Olympiad beginning next year. The Olympiad will involve students from Azerbaijan as well as countries across the region, making it a highly important initiative.

Speaking next, President of ANAS Academician Isa Habibbeyli said the state has highly valued the scientific legacy of Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev. He emphasized that National Leader Heydar Aliyev attended the unveiling of the scientist’s monument. He also noted that President Ilham Aliyev, in his Order marking the academician’s 120th anniversary, described him as a brilliant figure of Azerbaijani science and a scientist who laid the foundations of petroleum chemistry in Azerbaijan.

“Yusif Mammadaliyev entered the history of Azerbaijani science as the founder of the petroleum chemistry school. He was the first to conduct important research on the chlorination of petroleum gases, the application of the resulting halogen compounds in various fields, and halogenation processes. He discovered high-octane aviation fuel, which played a historic role in the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II. He also achieved important scientific advances in alkylation in petroleum chemistry and oil refining. In addition, Yusif Mammadaliyev unlocked the secrets of Naftalan oil and studied its properties scientifically. Today, our people continue to receive treatment at the Naftalan Health Center based on his achievements,” Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted.

Stating that Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev also made exceptional contributions to the development of the humanities and social sciences, the Azerbaijani language, literature, history, and culture in the country, Academician Isa Habibbeyli said that the distinguished scholar consistently led efforts to conduct and expand research in these fields. During that period, the Manuscripts Fund and the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory were established, while significant research was conducted on the monuments of Gobustan and the epic Kitabi-Dada Gorgud.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli said that the scientific achievements of both Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev and Academician Mustafa Topchubashov were put forward as Nobel Prize nominations at the time. However, the Soviet leadership’s indifference to the award prevented this from coming to fruition.

Concluding his speech, Academician Isa Habibbeyli said that the distinguished scientist’s rich scientific legacy and inventions continue to inspire the training of young professionals and encourage their future activities.

Speaking afterward, Deputy Speaker of the Milli Majlis Academician Rafael Huseynov shared interesting details about the life of Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev with conference participants. Describing Yusif Mammadaliyev as a person deeply devoted to culture, Rafael Huseynov spoke about the academician’s friendships with prominent cultural figures such as Bulbul, Samad Vurgun, and Uzeyir Hajibeyli.

President of the International Turkic Academy, Academician Shahin Mustafayev, stated that dozens, perhaps hundreds, of world-renowned scientists have emerged from Azerbaijan’s social and intellectual environment, exemplified by Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev, and that the Azerbaijani people are becoming part of the global scientific community. Highlighting the special role of the brilliant ideas left by Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev in Azerbaijan’s advancement along the path of science and progress, Shahin Mustafayev noted that the International Turkic Academy is ready to contribute to the development of Azerbaijani science, as well as the science of the Turkic world, Turkic peoples, and Turkic states.

Corresponding Member of ANAS and daughter of Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev, Sevda Mammadaliyeva, emphasized that National Leader Heydar Aliyev had always highly valued the scientist’s services and that President Ilham Aliyev continues to demonstrate a sensitive and respectful attitude toward his memory and legacy. Sevda Mammadaliyeva expressed her deep gratitude to the country’s leadership for the respect shown toward Yusif Mammadaliyev’s memory. She thanked all the organizers and participants of the anniversary conference. She noted that Yusif Mammadaliyev’s life journey continues to live on as an idea, a school of thought, and a value. Today, hundreds of scholars and educational initiatives carry forward this legacy.

As part of the conference, video messages from the Director General of ICESCO Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik and UNESCO Deputy Director-General Lidia Brito were presented.

Following the speeches, a documentary dedicated to the life and scientific activities of Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev was presented.

Subsequently, a number of Azerbaijani and foreign scholars were awarded the “ANAS Yusif Mammadaliyev Badge of Honor” and the “ANAS-80 Badge of Honor.”

The international conference featured panel sessions on the following topics: “The Scientific, Pedagogical, and Organizational Activities of Yusif Mammadaliyev: Contributions to the Development of Azerbaijani and World Science”, “Contemporary Challenges in Chemical Science: Continuity and Innovations”, and “Scientific Heritage and the Horizons of the Future”.

The conference will continue its work tomorrow. A visit to the academician’s monument in Nakhchivan, as well as to the Yusif Mammadaliyev House Museum, is planned.