On April 22, a scientific conference dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the birth of Professor İhsan Doğramacı, an honorary member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, a prominent scientist of the Turkic world, and a founder in the fields of healthcare and education was held at the Presidium of ANAS.
The event was attended by the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to Azerbaijan, Birol Akgün, the Chairman of the Health Committee of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Academician Ahliman Amiraslanov, members of the Presidium of ANAS, employees from scientific research institutions of ANAS, the Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan Medical University, and scientific institutions under the Division of Biological and Medical Sciences of ANAS.
Opening the conference with a welcoming speech, the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli said that Professor İhsan Doğramacı, an honorary member of ANAS, was one of the most important and legendary figures of the Turkic world. He highlighted that the contributions of Professor İhsan Doğramacı to the development of medicine and education in Türkiye and throughout the Turkic world are remembered today with pride and honor.
Touching upon Professor İhsan Doğramacı’s contributions to the development of education in Türkiye, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, noted that, thanks to his initiative, Bilkent and Hacettepe Universities, which are now among the leading higher education institutions in Türkiye and the world, were established. The Council of Higher Education of Türkiye (YÖK) was also founded through his efforts. Professor İhsan Doğramacı represented Türkiye in the World Health Organization for many years and was one of the signatories of its Charter. The Academician also added that Professor İhsan Doğramacı, an outstanding representative of the Iraqi Turkmens, carried out invaluable work in his homeland in the development of education, the establishment of professional medical institutions, and service to the people.
Academician Isa Habibbeyli mentioned that Professor İhsan Doğramacı always regarded Azerbaijan as his second homeland and loved our country deeply. A close friendship between the scientist and the National Leader Heydar Aliyev began during the Soviet era, and they remained loyal to this brotherhood until the end of their lives. He emphasized that this friendship is one of the key factors that laid the foundation for today’s unity and solidarity between Azerbaijan and Türkiye. Academician Isa Habibbeyli also noted that the anniversaries of the prominent scientist were celebrated at a high level in Azerbaijan in the years 1995, 2000, and 2005. He added that Professor İhsan Doğramacı was awarded with the “Istiglal” Order by the National Leader and in 2005, received Azerbaijan’s highest award, the “Heydar Aliyev” Order by President Ilham Aliyev.
The head of ANAS said that Professor İhsan Doğramacı was deeply loved by our people for his invaluable contributions to the development of science and medicine in our country, as well as for his efforts in the training of highly qualified medical professionals. He especially emphasized that, on the initiative of the National Leader during the scientist’s lifetime, a statue of Professor İhsan Doğramacı was sculpted by Academician Omar Eldarov and erected at Bilkent University with their joint participation.
Academician Isa Habibbeyli mentioned that during his inauguration speech, President Ilham Aliyev referred to the Turkic world as our family and identified priorities in this direction. He emphasized that the celebration of the 110th anniversary of Professor İhsan Doğramacı, an esteemed figure of the Turkic world and honorary member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences on the eve of the 80th anniversary of ANAS is a reflection of Azerbaijani scientists’ respect for this world-renowned personality and for the Turkic world.
In his speech, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to Azerbaijan, Birol Akgün informed the participants about the life and work of Professor İhsan Doğramacı. The Ambassador underlined that Professor İhsan Doğramacı’s life was closely connected with Azerbaijan. He expressed his gratitude to the leadership of ANAS for the high-level organization of the conference.
Chairman of the Health Committee of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Academician Ahliman Amiraslanov, People’s Artist and Academician Omar Eldarov, Vice-President of ANAS, Academician Irada Huseynova, Director General of the Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Corresponding Member of ANAS Misir Mardanov and others also made speeches at the event and spoke about Professor Ihsan Dogramaci’s contributions to the development of healthcare, education, and science in the Turkic world.
