BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 21. A conference titled "Connecting Knowledge Beyond Borders: Research and International Academic Cooperation" was held at George Washington University (GW) in the U.S. capital.
The State Committee on Work with Diaspora said the event was organized by the U.S.-Azerbaijan Academic Network and focused on prospects for expanding scientific, academic and institutional cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States.
Fuad Muradov, chairman of Azerbaijan's State Committee on Work with Diaspora, attended and addressed the conference during his visit to the United States.
"Academic communities play an important role in strengthening ties between countries, expanding the exchange of knowledge and experience, and conveying objective and reliable information about states and peoples to the international community," Muradov said.
He praised cooperation between George Washington University and Azerbaijani universities, noting the importance of academic and scientific ties to the Azerbaijani diaspora's activities. According to Muradov, such partnerships can provide a foundation for joint research projects and long-term academic programs.
He also highlighted various aspects of Azerbaijan's diaspora policy under President Ilham Aliyev.
Sevinc Mammadova, assistant dean for global initiatives at GW's Graduate School of Education and Human Development and a professor, welcomed discussions on relations between Azerbaijan and the United States in academic and scientific circles and thanked the State Committee on Work with Diaspora for supporting the conference.
A panel discussion on academic cooperation was held as part of the conference, bringing together Azerbaijani and international scholars, professors and researchers working at universities across the United States.
The panel was moderated by Turan Waters, director of communications at George Washington University. Speakers included Fuad Muradov; Sevinc Mammadova; Lionel Howard, dean of GW's Graduate School of Education and Human Development and professor of education studies; Matt Winkler, founder of sports management programs at Georgetown University and American University and co-founder and executive director of the SEME Conference; Ali Mammadov, a doctoral researcher in political science at George Mason University and editor-in-chief of the Center for Security Policy Studies; and Can Korman, professor of electrical engineering and associate chair for graduate studies at GW's School of Engineering and Applied Science.
The speakers discussed expanding academic and scientific cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States, establishing long-term partnerships between universities, developing joint academic research programs, investing in human capital, and exchanging knowledge and expertise. They also considered ways to establish sustainable institutional partnerships.
The participants also exchanged views on the role of the Azerbaijani community in the United States in advancing academic diplomacy and how the knowledge, experience and professional networks of Azerbaijanis abroad could contribute to the development of scientific cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States.
The panel discussion concluded with a question-and-answer session.
Azerbaijani scholars living in various U.S. states also attended the conference.
The event was described as an important platform for identifying new areas of academic and scientific cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States, strengthening ties between universities and expanding international academic networks.
