The Communication Days, hosted by Üsküdar Üniversitesi for 11 years, were held in Azerbaijan this year in cooperation with Baku State University. The 12th International Communication Days were held with the theme 'Media and Communication Studies in the Digital Age', while academics from 95 universities presented 285 papers in 51 sessions. During the 3-day scientific program, academic cooperation between the two countries was emphasized, and the effects of digitalization in media and communication were discussed in a multifaceted way.
The symposium opening took place in the Assembly Hall of Baku State University.
Opening speeches were delivered by Baku State University Rector Prof. Dr. Elçin Babayev, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, Director of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan Əhməd İsmayılov, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Press Council Rəşad Məcid, Rövşan Məmmədov, Cahangir Məmmədli, Qulu Məhərrəmli and Vüqar Rəhimzadə from Baku State University, Mir Şahin Aghayev from Real TV, and Naziq Məmmədli from the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency.
Academics from the Faculty of Communication, including Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan, Head of the Journalism Department, Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay, Head of Üsküdar Üniversitesi New Media and Communication (Turkish) Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan, Head of New Media and Communication (English) Department, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Uğurlu, Head of Public Relations Department, also participated in the symposium.
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: “Academic cooperation is essential, knowledge production is essential”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör emphasized that the symposium holds great importance for academic cooperation between the two countries. Güngör stated that the cooperation protocol signed with Baku State University did not remain merely on paper but was supported by joint work, adding that the symposium was held with the participation of approximately 300 academics, both in-person and online.
Güngör, stating that information production is a fundamental factor determining the power of nations, touched upon the similarity of the independence struggles of Turkey and Azerbaijan and noted that the shared memory of the two sister countries resonated at the symposium. Underlining the necessity of updating education programs in media and communication in line with technological developments, Güngör emphasized the importance of strengthening the bond between academics and journalists.
Prof. Dr. Elçin Babayev: “The development of the press is one of the state's priority issues”
Azerbaijan State University Rector Prof. Dr. Elçin Babayev, delivering the opening speech of the symposium, evaluated the coincidence of Azerbaijan's year of constitution and sovereignty with the 150th anniversary of the national press as having “special historical significance”. Babayev emphasized the role of national media in the struggle for independence, stating that the “Ekinci” newspaper, published by Hasan Bey Zerdabi in 1875, was a pioneer in enlightenment and thought development in society.
Stating that the lifting of censorship in 1998 opened a new era for press freedom, Babayev drew attention to the vision of press freedom championed by Great Leader Heydar Aliyev. Referring to the media policies of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, Babayev noted that the state provides comprehensive support for the development of media. Furthermore, he highlighted the strategic role of media in disseminating accurate information during the 44-day Patriotic War, reminding journalists of their responsibility in this area. Babayev also explained the tasks undertaken by Baku State University to improve the quality of media education.
285 papers presented in 51 sessions
In the Media and Communication Studies in the Digital Age Symposium, 285 papers were presented in a total of 51 sessions, 19 of which were in-person and 32 online.
Speeches were delivered in Turkish, Azerbaijani Turkish, and English. While in-person sessions took place in the halls of Baku State University, online sessions were also organized.
The digitalizing world of communication was discussed in a multifaceted way
At the symposium held with the theme “Media and Communication Studies in the Digital Age,” academics from Turkey and various other countries gathered for three days to discuss the digitalizing world of communication in a multifaceted way. A total of 285 papers were presented by 95 national and international universities at the symposium.
Academics from different universities in Turkey and Azerbaijan also participated
The session, held at Baku State University's 2nd Training Building, Auditorium No. 511, was attended by Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, Baku State University Faculty of Journalism Dean Vugar Aliyev, Prof. Dr. Aysel Aziz from Istanbul Yeni Yüzyıl Üniversitesi, Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Timisi from Istanbul Üniversitesi, Üsküdar Üniversitesi New Media and Communication (Turkish) Department Head Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay, New Media and Communication (English) Department Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan, Public Relations Department Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Uğurlu, along with faculty members and students from Baku State University.
Academics from various universities in Turkey and Azerbaijan also participated in the closing session of the symposium.
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: “We experienced this comprehensive scientific event together”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör said in her speech before the certificate presentation: “We experienced this very comprehensive scientific event together. I saw smiles and laughter on everyone's faces throughout all three days of sessions. Therefore, I believe all our academics from Turkey are leaving here satisfied with being in Baku and at Baku State University. I would like to thank all our instructors who have contributed to this process from the beginning.”
Certificates presented
During the session, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, Prof. Dr. Aysel Aziz from Istanbul Yeni Yüzyıl Üniversitesi, and Baku State University Faculty of Journalism Dean Vugar Aliyev presented certificates to the participants.
IFIG Symposium widely covered in Azerbaijani media…
The 12th International Communication Days / “Media and Communication Studies in the Digital Age” Symposium, organized in cooperation with Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication and Baku State University, received wide coverage in the Azerbaijani press. The event was extensively featured in both print media and digital news platforms.