Baku, April 25, AZERTAC

A scientific and practical conference marking the 100th anniversary of outstanding scholar, Professor Lola Barsuk has been held at Azerbaijan University of Languages. The event was supported by the Ministry of Education.

The conference was attended by Deputy Minister of Education Firudin Gurbanov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu, First Deputy Director General of TASS, Lola Barsuk’s son Mikhail Gusman, Director General of AZERTAC Aslan Aslanov, students and teachers. Speakers at the event highlighted Lola Barsuk’s achievements in education science, her outstanding research in the field of bilingualism. Head of the department of linguistics Gulnar Huseynzade, Associate Professor Amrali Shiraliyev, PhD in Educational Sciences Gunay Shiraliyeva spoke about the role of Barsuk in educational and social activities in Azerbaijan.

Lola Barsuk was a renowned scholar, not only in Azerbaijan but also across the former Soviet Union. She worked as a Head of the Department of foreign languages at the Institute of Foreign Languages (now Azerbaijan University of Languages), and Vice-rector of the University for 17 years.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu said: "Lola Badger’s two sons Yuli and Mikhail have been friends of mine for many years. They are true patriots of Azerbaijan, they are proud of having been born in Azerbaijan."

Director General of AZERTAC Aslan Aslanov spoke about Lola Barsuk’s role in developing science in Azerbaijan. He said that Lola Barsuk is an author of dozens of works.

“Today Yuli and Mikhail Gusmans continue traditions of their family. This intelligent family has made a great contribution to the scientific and social life of Azerbaijan. As a well-known journalist, Deputy Director General of TASS, one of the largest media structures of the world, Mikhail Gusman has always supported his homeland Azerbaijan. He is the Secretary General of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA), a board member of the World Congress of News Agencies. Mikhail Gusman is an author of numerous interviews with the heads of state and government,” Aslanov said.

Aslan Aslanov presented Mikhail Gusman a photo-album prepared by AZERTAC. The album contains archival photographs of the Gusmans.

Addressing the event, Mikhail Gusman thanked the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan University of Languages for the organization of this conference. "My parents loved Azerbaijan very much and were patriots of their country. I love my homeland too. I am happy to have been born in this country. Representatives of different nationalities have always lived in Azerbaijan in an atmosphere of friendship. My son, who had a chance to become a citizen of the United States, chose the citizenship of Azerbaijan," said Gusman.

Deputy Education Minister Firudin Gurbanov conveyed the greetings of Education Minister Mikail Jabbarov to the event participants. Former students of Lola Barsuk shared memories about their teacher.