On December 18, at the Scientific Council of Sumgayit State University, rector Professor Elkhan Huseynov presented to Professor of the University of Hacettepe of Turkey, Shukru Haluk Akalin a diploma of Honorary Doctor of SSU.

Opening the meeting of the Scientific Council, Rector Elkhan Huseynov welcomed those present and noted that it has historical significance. He said that relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey are strategic and based on the principles of friendship and good neighborhood. On November 27, 2019, at a meeting of the Scientific Council, a decision was announced on awarding the title of Honorary Doctor of SSU to Professor of the University of Hacettepe Shukru Haluk Akalin.

The rector welcomed Professor Shukru Haluk Akalin, expressed satisfaction with his visit to SSU. It was noted that the respected professor is known not only in Turkey, but is highly respected throughout the Turkic world and among European scholars. He made his worthy contribution to world science through his research and scientific work. The works of the professor are translated into many languages. Shukru Haluk Akalin created the Center for Turkic Studies at Chukurova University and headed it. In 2001, he was elected chairman of the Organization of the Turkic Language. The professor has repeatedly represented Turkey at the events held in Azerbaijan on linguistics, as the chairman of the Organization of the Turkic language.

Professor Elkhan Huseynov also said that Shukru Haluk Akalin has close ties of cooperation with SSU. Since 2016, he has been participating in all international scientific conferences held at Sumgayit State University. Also, as part of conferences, he held master classes at the university and participated in round tables held at faculties. The collection dedicated to Nasimi’s 650th anniversary and published in the SSU also presents an article by Shukru Khaluk Akalyn “Nesimi"nin Divan"ında cemal sözünün kullanımı ve eş dizimliliği (collocation) üzerine”.

The professor works closely with the Faculty of Philology of SSU, gives advice and recommendations to doctoral students in their research.

Rector Elkhan Huseynov noted that the inclusion of such an authoritative scientist as Shukru Haluk Akalin among the honorary doctors will contribute to the development of relations between the universities of Azerbaijan and Turkey. Then the rector presented him a diploma of Honorary Doctor, a medal and a mantle.

Professor Shukru Haluk Akalin thanked for awarding him the title of Honorary Doctor and said that in the future he would do everything to develop and strengthen ties in science and education between the two countries. The professor noted that this award will be a symbol of cooperation between SSU and the University of Hacettepe.

The Honorary Doctor expressed special gratitude to the members of the Scientific Council for the decision to confer on him this honorary title. He said that this is an assessment not only of his work, but also of the entire scientific community in Turkey. Professor Shukru Haluk Akalin thanked the rector of SSU, Professor Elkhan Huseynov, for awarding him the title of Honorary Doctor of SSU and said that he was very glad to mutual cooperation.

Further, the Scientific Council continued its work on the agenda.