The Nobel Prize Laureate Aziz Sancar visits UNEC
A Conference on “Aziz Sancar: The Life Story of a Science Devotee” dedicated to the Laureate of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Chemistry, Professor of the Carolina University of the US of Turkish origin Aziz Sancar has been held at UNEC on June 1.
A film about the scholar’s life and activities was demonstrated at the conference.
UNEC Rector, Professor Adalat Muradov said the science devotee of the Turkish World Aziz Sancar visited Azerbaijan with the Education Minister Mikayil Jabbarov’s invitation. Aziz Sancar’s personality is very dear to us as the first Turkish scientist who got the Nobel Prize. Therefore, I consider this day as one f the most significant days in UNEC’s history”.
Rector brought to attention that great reforms were conducted in Azerbaijan’s science and education: “One of the main tasks set forth by the President Ilham Aliyev is establishing relations with the world scientists and experts who are interested in Azerbaijan’s rise and benefit from their rich experiences. Aziz Sancar is exactly one of those. A.Muradov announced that the world-famous scholar would make a speech as the keynote speaker in the scientific-practical conference on “Modern Management Model of Scientific Activity at Universities” on June 14.
Then Aziz Sancar made an extensive speech before the scientific community of Azerbaijan. The scientist spoke about the road led to Nobel: “We were three scientists working on the restoration mechanism of DNA. We did not compete with one another for different subjects. All three of us achieved the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. I did not definitely think that would get the Nobel Prize. To receive the Nobel Prize is a bit subjective. Prominent scientists who could not get the Nobel Prize had made a number of contributions to humanity. I can state the world-renowned Lotfi A.Zadeh as the creator of the fuzzy logic theory in the field of artificial intelligence. The fact Lotfi Zadeh did not awarded the Nobel Prize does not diminish his value”.
A.Sancar recommended young people to be engaged in science: “Science takes time, you may not see the results immediately, but do not be discouraged; you will see the outcome in the future. I devoted forty years of my life to this research”.
The Professor said the achievement of the Nobel Prize was of great interest in Azerbaijan, along with Turkey: “Azerbaijan was the second country that demonstrated great interest to the fact I was awarded the Nobel Prize. Even the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Washington called me immediately and expressed his congratulations. We are one nation, two countries. I am very happy to visit Azerbaijan”.
The scholar’s memories about how he received the news about the Nobel Prize was of great interest by the audience. The Professor sounded the frequently asked questions after he was granted the Nobel Prize. Demonstrating his photo taken in the ceremony of presentation, the Professor concluded his speech with these words: “The photo of the happiest moment in my life. They announce that I am awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize and I feel I fulfill my duty in front of the Turkic World decently.
Afterwards, A.Sancar answered the questions.
A.Sancar was awarded the title of UNEC’s Honorary Doctor. A.Muradov said the “Aziz Sancar Prize” will be established at UNEC the next academic year. At the same time, the Laboratory of Food Engineering after Aziz Sancar will be created.
The booklet “Aziz Sancar’s Nobel Biography” translated into Azerbaijani at UNEC was also presented within the conference.