Opera and University
For its 10-year anniversary, we produced a video about ADA. In this video, alumni, faculty and administrators describe ADA University in their own words.
I have tried to sum up my own impressions at the end of this video. Here, I also draw a parallel between Hafiz Pashayev and Uzeyir Hajibayov.
"I compare him with Uzeyir. There is some resemblance between them.
Opera was one of the biggest legacies of the first oil boom. ADA University is one of the biggest legacies of the second oil boom.
Uzeyir had some musical note playing inside his head. He went to pursue that note. As a result, he brought to Azerbaijan an opera, a piece of mankind's cultural advancement. And he composed that opera based on mugham, i.e. the roots of his own nation. Uzeyir staged the first opera of the entire muslim world in Baku.
Hafiz Pashayev has brought the world's most progressive model of education to Azerbaijan. He has built a university from scratch. Inside a forgotten park of Baku, this man has created thirst for learning. And now, it has become the pride of his nation.
ADA is an Azerbaijani university. It is based on international practices, but its essence is of Azerbaijan. ADA is about beliefs, citizenship, belonging. It is an epicenter of enlightenment, culture, honor, learning and science. It is a true meaning of teaching and image of a teacher. What else could you accomplish in one life?!"
Galib Mammad
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