On 6th July, in the Golden Hall of the Casimir Palace, the UW Rector, Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, presented the University of Warsaw Medal to Dr Nargiz Gurbanova, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Poland. The award was granted in recognition of her contribution to the development of scientific and academic cooperation between the UW and institutions in the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as for her efforts to promote intercultural dialogue.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the University of Warsaw, the UW’s Faculty of Asian and African Cultures, and the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The event was chaired by Dr Jan Rogala, Head of the Department of Turkology, Mongolian Studies and Tibetology at the UW.

“The University of Warsaw is consistently developing its international cooperation, as we believe that science and education build lasting relationships between countries and societies. Ambassador Dr Nargiz Gurbanova has supported the development of academic cooperation between Poland and Azerbaijan since the beginning of her diplomatic mission. The University of Warsaw Medal is a token of appreciation for her commitment and contribution to building a partnership based on dialogue and mutual respect,” said Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, the UW Rector.

“Thanks to the Ambassador’s commitment, our department’s cooperation with partners from Azerbaijan has developed significantly. Together, we have organised numerous conferences, seminars and cultural events, and one of the most important outcomes of these activities has been the expansion of the Centre for Azerbaijani Studies at the University of Warsaw and the initiative to establish the Centre for Turkic Cultures. Thank you for your long-standing support and for building lasting academic relations between our countries,” said Prof. Agata Bareja-Starzyńska, Dean of the UW’s Faculty of Asian and African Cultures.

Expressing her gratitude for the honour, Dr Nargiz Gurbanova emphasised that the University of Warsaw Medal is a special honour for her and a symbol of many years of cooperation.

“I accept this honour with deep gratitude. It is a testament to our joint efforts to develop academic cooperation, student and researcher exchanges, and to build lasting relations between Poland and Azerbaijan. I believe that through education, science and mutual trust, we will continue to create new opportunities for cooperation,” said Dr Nargiz Gurbanova.

The Ambassador thanked the authorities of the University of Warsaw, the Faculty of Asian and African Studies, and everyone involved in developing Polish-Azerbaijani relations. She emphasised that the growing cooperation between universities, joint research projects and student and academic exchanges not only strengthen the development of science but also the friendship between Poland and Azerbaijan.