BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 21. A conference
titled "Connecting Knowledge Beyond Borders: Research and
International Academic Cooperation" was held at George Washington
University (GW) in the U.S. capital.


The State Committee on Work with Diaspora said the event was
organized by the U.S.-Azerbaijan Academic Network and focused on
prospects for expanding scientific, academic and institutional
cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States.


Fuad Muradov, chairman of Azerbaijan's State Committee on Work
with Diaspora, attended and addressed the conference during his
visit to the United States.


"Academic communities play an important role in strengthening
ties between countries, expanding the exchange of knowledge and
experience, and conveying objective and reliable information about
states and peoples to the international community," Muradov
said.


He praised cooperation between George Washington University and
Azerbaijani universities, noting the importance of academic and
scientific ties to the Azerbaijani diaspora's activities. According
to Muradov, such partnerships can provide a foundation for joint
research projects and long-term academic programs.


He also highlighted various aspects of Azerbaijan's diaspora
policy under President Ilham Aliyev.


Sevinc Mammadova, assistant dean for global initiatives at GW's
Graduate School of Education and Human Development and a professor,
welcomed discussions on relations between Azerbaijan and the United
States in academic and scientific circles and thanked the State
Committee on Work with Diaspora for supporting the conference.


A panel discussion on academic cooperation was held as part of
the conference, bringing together Azerbaijani and international
scholars, professors and researchers working at universities across
the United States.


The panel was moderated by Turan Waters, director of
communications at George Washington University. Speakers included
Fuad Muradov; Sevinc Mammadova; Lionel Howard, dean of GW's
Graduate School of Education and Human Development and professor of
education studies; Matt Winkler, founder of sports management
programs at Georgetown University and American University and
co-founder and executive director of the SEME Conference; Ali
Mammadov, a doctoral researcher in political science at George
Mason University and editor-in-chief of the Center for Security
Policy Studies; and Can Korman, professor of electrical engineering
and associate chair for graduate studies at GW's School of
Engineering and Applied Science.


The speakers discussed expanding academic and scientific
cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States, establishing
long-term partnerships between universities, developing joint
academic research programs, investing in human capital, and
exchanging knowledge and expertise. They also considered ways to
establish sustainable institutional partnerships.


The participants also exchanged views on the role of the
Azerbaijani community in the United States in advancing academic
diplomacy and how the knowledge, experience and professional
networks of Azerbaijanis abroad could contribute to the development
of scientific cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United
States.


The panel discussion concluded with a question-and-answer
session.


Azerbaijani scholars living in various U.S. states also attended
the conference.


The event was described as an important platform for identifying
new areas of academic and scientific cooperation between Azerbaijan
and the United States, strengthening ties between universities and
expanding international academic networks.