Dr. Agshin Aliyev. (COURTESY PHOTO)

By BI Weizi & LONG Yun

Dr. Agshin Aliyev, director of the Department of Azerbaijani Language at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), and founder and director of the China Research Center at Khazar University Azerbaijan, has been awarded the title of "My Favourite Foreign Teacher" in China in 2019 along with a "Certificate of Honour" of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences in 2022 in recognition of his contributions to China-Azerbaijan cultural exchange.

Founder of the Azerbaijani language major in China

Originally an English major at an Azerbaijani university, Aliyev decided to study Chinese at Shanghai University in 2001 because he was so fascinated by the language and the culture behind it, and went on to earn a PhD from East China Normal University in 2013. Meanwhile, he witnessed the rapid development of the Chinese economy, the improvement of people's living standards and the gradual "going out" of Chinese culture. He is now actively involved in promoting Chinese culture to the world, sharing his first-hand experience of the Chinese language, and initiating various projects between the two countries.

Aliyev is committed to providing Chinese students with the best learning experience, and helps them recognize the central role of language as a carrier of culture. "Not only basic language skills, but also culture, history, society and literature [of Azerbaijan] are included in the curriculum," he said in a recent interview with Science and Technology Daily (S&T Daily).

Since the Azerbaijani language was a newly established subject, at that time not only at BFSU but also in China as a whole, there were no other teaching resources available. Aliyev did a lot of research and came up with a well-structured plan to cultivate quality talent. He even created a series of dictionaries to help students begin their journey in learning this language more efficiently.

What's more, many different cultural and academic activities have been carried out to deepen students' understanding of the language and culture. "For example, in 2019, with the support of BFSU, the Adelaide Foundation and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Beijing, we organized an exhibition of Azerbaijani language and literature at BFSU, and we also invited political dignitaries and famous scholars from Azerbaijan to give lectures to the students and teachers," said Aliyev.

Promoter of the Chinese language in Azerbaijan

Aliyev is also actively promoting the Chinese language in Azerbaijan. The country now has two Confucius Institutes at Baku State University and Azerbaijan Language University. "We have established a Center for Chinese Studies, which focuses on Chinese culture, history, society, economy and international relations," he said, adding that various Chinese language projects have also been launched, such as the compilation of Chinese-Azerbaijani dictionaries and Chinese textbooks. Since September 2019, Aliyev has been actively involved in the "Distance Chinese Teaching Initiative" for the Azerbaijan University of Economics, encouraging Azerbaijani language students to participate in Chinese language teaching in Azerbaijan after graduation, so that Azerbaijani and Chinese language teaching can be effectively combined and cultural integration can be further promoted.

Eternal friends

"China and Azerbaijan have established cultural and trade relations since the Silk Road in the Han Dynasty. Although more than 2,000 years have passed, cooperation between the two countries has expanded to many different fields," said Aliyev, adding that the establishment of the Azerbaijani Language Department at BFSU is aimed at strengthening ties and enhancing understanding, which reflects the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Talking about his future plans to realize his dream of becoming a bridge between China and Azerbaijan, Aliyev said he will spare no effort to cultivate the linguistic and cultural students of the two countries, initiate more in-depth exchange activities, and work on the translation of Chinese works in the hope that a small spark will light the fire of learning in the hearts of the people of Azerbaijan and China. "The friendship between the two nations will flourish forever," he said.