International relations

International relations

The faculty had close scientific relations and cooperation with facultys of Library science of Moscow State Culture and Art University, Sankt-Petersburg State Culture and Art University, Tashkent State Culture and Art University, Vilnius State University, and Tbilisi State Pedagogical University. Prof. Khalafov, Prof. Z. Aliyeva, Prof. Kh. Ismayilova, Prof. B. Allahverdiyev, assistant professor Rasim Kazimov and others have a special role among the scientists having a significant role and exceptional services in the foundation and development of these scientific relations.

While speaking about the activity of the faculty in this sphere, the role of Azerbaijan Library Trade Development Association (ALTDA) should be stated founded in 1999 together with prof. Kh.I.Ismayilov, dean of the faculty, a number of associates of the faculty and representatives of library community of the republic.

Immediately after the foundation ALTDA started to establish business relations with library organizations and international institutions functioning in many countries. First of all, USA Embassy in Azerbaijan, Baku office of Open Society Institute and America Library Association may be noted among these organizations. Close participation of the faculty in many international programs and projects was exactly with organizational support of ALTDA. These projects and activities contributed not only to the university, as well as to library work in the whole republic.

“Qafqaz” Training Center carried out with the support of Eurasian fund was of great importance in the development of international relations of the faculty. New kind of interactive courses were held for the specialists in this field on the frame of this project directed to strengthening of the activity of library science and library organizations in Southern Caucasus Republics and in this work American and Georgian specialists rendered their assistance to the faculty associates. Faculty representative Prof. Kh.Ismayilov, president of ALTDA visited Tbilisi several times and held useful meetings with his Georgian colleagues on the frame of the project.

“Modernization of universities” program held on the frame of TASIS program of Council of Europe was of great significance in broadening international relations of the faculty as well. This long-term program intended studying of high education practice of developed countries of Europe, especially France and Belgium and its application in CIS, as well as in Azerbaijan. On the frame of the project Dean of the faculty Prof. Kh.Ismayilov visited universities situated in Namur, Belgium and different cities of France accordingly in July, 2001 and May, 2003 and got closely acquainted with the organization of education. A.Mammadov, faculty teacher participated in trainings held at national High Library Science Information center located in Lion in November, 2002 on the frame of the program.

The faculty also has close international relations with its counterparts in Baltic States. Thus, the representatives of this country repeatedly visited Azerbaijan and representatives of the faculty were in those countries and established useful cooperation. Delegation of Azerbaijan under the headship of Prof. Kh.Ismayilov visited Lithuania with the help of Open Society Institute on November 4-11, 2004. They got acquainted with library science trade, library – information education, and activity of profession institutions in that country.