The awards ceremony for the winners of the ‘Khurshidbanu Natavan’ scholarship program has been held

On 28 November, an award ceremony was held for the winners of the “Khurshidbanu Natavan” scholarship program, established by the Foundation for the Promotion of Moral Values under the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, for students of the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology (AIT).

AIT Rector, Associate Professor Aqil Shirinov, delivered an address in which he provided information about the “Khurshidbanu Natavan” scholarship program. A. Shirinov highlighted Khurshidbanu Natavan’s role in the history of Azerbaijan, noting that she was an exemplary individual and intellectual who holds a distinguished place in the nation’s cultural heritage. The Rector emphasized that the Foundation implements various scholarship programs within the higher education institution, each of which significantly contributes to students’ academic development and personal motivation. He expressed confidence that the scholarship named after the prominent historical figure would play an important role in strengthening students’ sense of connection to the national-cultural heritage as part of ongoing educational efforts.

Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, Ramin Mammadov, noted in his speech that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the first Constitution of independent Azerbaijan and the 5th anniversary of the Victory achieved in the 44-day Patriotic War. He stressed that every citizen carries the responsibility of safeguarding Azerbaijan’s national identity and passing it on to future generations. R. Mammadov underlined that National Leader Heydar Aliyev not only protected Azerbaijan from real threats by preserving its independence, but also defined the country’s long-term development strategy. He added that the complete liberation of Azerbaijani territories under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev stands as a significant historic event reflecting the nation’s identity. The Chairman emphasized that, regardless of one’s specialization, education, or profession, contributing to the strengthening of the state is a fundamental duty for all citizens. He also noted that naming scholarship programs after prominent Azerbaijani theologians and thinkers is no coincidence, as these individuals played an exceptional role in shaping the country’s religious and cultural identity. R. Mammadov congratulated the scholarship recipients and wished them success in their future studies and activities.

Executive Director of the Foundation for the Promotion of Moral Values, Vusal Goyushov, stated that four special scholarship programs—the Seyid Yahya Bakuvi, Sheikhulislam Mohammed Iravani, Hamza Nigari, and Khurshidbanu Natavan scholarships—have been established at the Institute of Theology. He noted that these initiatives are not only scholarship programs but also projects aimed at fostering the development of young theologians, increasing their civic engagement, and deepening their understanding of moral values. V. Goyushov pointed out that as society grows stronger both morally and socially, it is only natural for women to hold leading roles in this development. He added that these young people are capable of carrying forward the tradition of enlightenment on a broader scale.

It should be noted that 15 teams, each including three female students from AIT and the Baku Theological College, participated in the competition on previously announced topics: “National and Moral Values,” “Patriotism,” “Early Marriage,” “School Dropout,” “Domestic Violence,” “Harmful Habits,” and “Environmental Responsibility.” The materials submitted by the teams were evaluated on a 1–10 point scale, and the winners were selected.