Prominent Orientalist scholar Vasim Mammadaliyev
Vasim Mammadali oglu Mammadaliyev was born on 27 August 1942 in Baku. After graduating from high school, he entered the Faculty of Oriental Studies of Azerbaijan State University, where he received higher education in 1959-1964. In 1964, he entered the full-time postgraduate department of the university and was seconded to Tbilisi to continue his studies there. In 1967, he completed his postgraduate studies.
Vasim Mammadaliyev, who started his career at Azerbaijan State University in 1968, worked here as dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies in 1981-1991, vice-rector of the University for Humanitarian Faculties in 1991-1992, dean of the Faculty of Theology in 1993-2018, and headed the Department of Arabic Philology from 1991 until the end of his life.
Vasim Mammadaliyev defended his Candidate's thesis in 1968, his doctoral thesis in 1974, and was awarded the academic title of Professor in 1979. In 2001 he was elected a corresponding member, and in 2007 - a full member of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan.
Vasim Mammadaliyev made a valuable contribution to the science and education of Azerbaijan with his substantial scientific and pedagogical activity for many years. He had an exceptional merit in bringing oriental studies in the republic to the level of modern requirements. Fundamental researches of the scientist, devoted to systematic study of actual problems of Arabic linguistics, referring to ancient sources, in detail highlighting the main ways of development of Arabic linguistics, were recognized as a contribution to the world oriental studies. In these studies, rich in new judgments, the scientist at the same time emphasised that the linguistic tradition in Azerbaijan has a centuries-old history.
Widely erudite scientist Vasim Mammadaliyev was also known as the author of works on separate fields of Oriental philology and poetry, history and philosophy of Islam. As one of the translators of ‘Quran’ into Azerbaijani language, he had special merits in revival of theology and Islamic studies in our country.
Vasim Mammadaliyev harmoniously combined scientific creativity with pedagogical activity, made a lot of efforts with his knowledge and skills to train highly qualified personnel at Baku State University during half a century.
Numerous pupils of the scientist, who invested a lot of work in turning Azerbaijani Arabistics into one of the leading centers in the territory of the former Soviet Union, have always successfully represented our country abroad.
The results of Vasim Mammadaliyev's scientific research are reflected in more than 30 books and about 600 scientific and journalistic articles. More than 50 doctors of philosophy and doctors of sciences were educated under his guidance. His speeches at international symposiums, conferences and forums in different countries of the world were met with interest by scientific circles. The orientalist, whose numerous solid researches related to Arabic linguistics and theology were highly appreciated, was elected a member of authoritative academic scientific structures of a number of countries.
Academician Vasim Mammadaliyev's many years of fruitful activity were honourably appreciated. He was honoured with ‘Shohrat’ and ‘Sharaf’ orders, the highest state awards of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan for his services in the development of science and education.
Academician Vasim Mammadaliyev passed away on 13 October 2019.
Recommended literature:
- Parlaq zəka sahibi - böyük vətəndaş / tərt. A. C. İsgəndərov [et al.] ; red., ön sözün müəl. A. C. İsgəndərov. - Bakı : Nurlar NPM, 2012. - 408 s.
- Görkəmli Azərbaycan alimi, Bakı Dövlət Universiteti İlahiyyat fakültəsinin dekanı, ərəb filologiyası kafedrasının müdiri, Əməkdar elm xadimi, akademik Vasim Məmmədəliyevin 70 illik yubileyinə həsr olunmuş "Şərqşünaslığın aktual problemləri" mövzusunda Respublika elmi konfransının materialları : 14-15 noyabr 2012-ci il / R. Ə. Rüstəmov, X. N. Əl-Abbasi, K. K. Şərifov [et al.] ; Bakı Dövlət Universiteti. - Bakı : Bakı Universiteti Nəşriyyatı, 2012. - 443 s.
- Akademik Vasim Məmmədəliyevin 80 illik yubileyinə həsr olunmuş "Şərqşünaslıq: yeni istiqamətlər" mövzusunda Respublika elmi konfransının materialları : Bakı, 15-16 noyabr 2022-ci il / A. Yunusov, C. Rüstəmova, N. Babazadə [et al.] ; Bakı Dövlət Universiteti. - Bakı : BDU nəşriyyatı, 2023. - 160 s.