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Lecturer of BHOS “Computer and Information Communication Technologies” Department

Abbas Alili: "I heard a lot about BHOS in Germany"

"Working here means to be in constant development and dynamics and gain new knowledge"

Abbas Alili was born in Baku in 1989. He studied at schools № 228 and № 253 of Qaradagh district. After graduating from school №253 with distinction and having gathered 642 points, he was admitted to study Automation of Industrial Processes and Information Technologies at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy. In 2010, having graduated the academy with distinction, he started his military service. During 2011-2014, he did his Master's on Embedded Systems Engineering at University of Stuttgart, Germany within the frame of The State Scholarship Programme on Educating Azerbaijani Youth Abroad. Abbas joined BHOS in November 2014 as a lecturer at Computer and Information Communication Technologies Department.

1. How did you decide to study this specialization?

Two factors influenced my choice. The first one is the fact of being raised in the family of an engineer, and the second one, is my father, a professional engineer who was devoted to his profession and became a role model for me. Of course, my interest to the sciences considered to be the key to disclose the mysteries of the Universe was an additional factor. I think, engineering occupies a special place in each phase of development of our civilization. People who invented arrow and spear for hunting, as well as those who installed a giant hadron collider at CERN mastered engineering approaches. Sharing is good and sharing knowledge is perfect meaning bilateral development. Therefore, I decided to consider the invitation that I got from BHOS offering a lecturer position at Computer and Information Communication Technologies Department. Lecturing is valuable by the fact that you have the opportunity to positively affect life of the whole generations, nations and their development. I, as a person waiting for such a chance, was happy to accept this invitation.

2. What is the difference between education in Azerbaijan and abroad? Could you point out negative and positive aspects?

Speaking about education abroad I can mention education in Europe, particularly the education system in Germany where I studied. At first glance, Germany has a very complicated education system. However, I think it is a very successful model from the point of view of diversity of educational institutions and wide accesibility. While using the word "diversity", I mean the difference between school structures and universities. For instance, a 12-year old schoolboy or a schoolgirl should decide which of the schools, Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium and Gesamtschule differing from each other to a certain extent, he/she is willing to go. Naturally, his/her grades gained during the studies are important in making the choice. If the first choice counts, then when reaching 15 he/she has to make a choice again in order to continue his/her education at a professional college (there is a choice of two directions) or to continue education at the corresponding school or plan to get university education (universities are of three types there). Accordingly, after all these stages are passed and the person becomes a student, he starts his university life as comprehensively developing individual. That is, the process of gaining the title of student by a teenager is happening differently from that of ours which is generally based on the thoughts such as "parents wanted this for me; my neighbour was admitted, but I failed; the relatives advised me this specialization, otherwise I should have joined military service, etc." There, people become students because they have specific goals and values, and they can understand that studying at the university and gaining academic knowledge will accelerate achievement of the goals. As a result, in these countries people never think of asking questions like "Why these students are absent? Why don't they value the chances they have? Why don't they study?"

3. What can you say about your activity connected with the diaspora when studying in Germany?

- Education abroad is a perfect opportunity to popularize your country, to provide true information and form a certain view amongst foreigners about your country. This activity can be more efficient when supported by embassies and consulates. The activities carried out by our Honorary Consul in Stuttgart should be specially underlined. Successful activities were carried out on behalf of our country with the support of the head of our consulate Mr. Otto Hauzer and his assistant, the fellow of one of state programs Jafar Suleymanov. Amongst such activities, the meeting held between our Honorary Consul and BHOS leadership in 2012 fell on my share. In frames of the meeting future cooperation perspectives between University of Stuttgart and BHOS, as well as future of professional education in Azerbaijan and academic programs were discussed.

4. Where did you first start working?

- I started working professionally as an intern at BOSCH GmbH in Germany when I was a 2nd year student. The project I was involved in envisaged the use of windscreens, planned to be produced by 2018, as a display. Later, I defended my my Master thesis working at another department of the same company.

5. How did you start your activity at BHOS?

- I heard a lot about BHOS in Germany. Prof. Ramiz Humbatov, who used to be my lecturer, Chair of Department and Vice-Rector at the Oil Academy had a significant role in this respect. After some probation lectures, taking into consideration my education in Germany and competence in working with new technologies, BHOS faculty and staff headed by rector Elmar Qasimov showed their trust in me to start working here.

6. What kind of difficulties a young lecturer may face and what advantages does he have?

- First of all, one should deserve to be called a teacher! We should always develop scientifically and individually to be a good example for students and to be able to direct them to the right way. For a young teacher it is a pleasant undertaking. As regards the advantages, guided by the fact that I was a student myself in the nearest past, I may say that I know well enough the interests, shortcomings, potentials and psychology of our students. When it comes to relationship between a lecturer and a student, I believe every teacher and individual intended to share his/her knowledge should possess the qualities such as simplicity, sincerity, and ability to understand his/her interlocutor, perceiving him/her with empathy sharing his/her feelings. At the same time lecturer should remain to be serious and just. I thank God in this respect my relationship with students are fine!

7. What are your obligations as a lecturer of BHOS? How do you manage your work?

- Currently my obligations include conducting seminars on several courses including laboratory work. At the same time, I am involved in developing syllabi of courses, programs, education means and their improvement. We often meet with companies and universities willing to cooperate with BHOS and our department. Moreover, we are involved in common activity related to our department. Our main goal is to educate professional engineers who would master highly qualified knowledge.

8. What kind of responsibility do you feel working with young people and the faculty?

- First of all, it is a pleasure for me. To work closely with the teaching staff headed by the Chair of Department Manafaddin Namazov means to be in constant development and dynamics and gain new knowledge. Responsibility of this work oversteps the vision boundaries. We should demonstrate development according to the trust showed to us.

9. What kind of goals do you set for your life and profession?

- My main goal is to contribute in development of Azerbaijan. Honestly, I haven't done anything great in this direction. To achieve my goals I am mostly guided by two aphorisms by Confucius – «To provide the order in the world, we should first provide the order within nations, and to provide the order within nations, we should provide the order within our families, and to provide the order within families, we should first of all learn to live a happy private life for this end we should foster our hearts with right values" and «The one who wins himself is the strongest warrior». For the future I am planning to enlarge my knowledge and to apply them in practice.

10. Do you have any hobby? What do you prefer to do at your leisure?

- I like swimming, playing football (including virtual one) and cycling. I often try to go to the theatres and concerts. In this respect BHOS greatly supports its employees. Watching documentary movies, discussion philosophic themes with friends can also be considered as my hobbies. Amongst the new ones are spending time at nature and growing trees which I started to value when studying in Germany, although it has been advised by my family even longer before.