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Azerbaijani professor-led Asian Institute of Technology to open its branch in Kazakhstan

16 November 2009 10:20 (UTC +04:00)

Astana. Laman Aghayeva â€“ APA. President of the Thailandâ€™s Bangkok-based Asian Institute of Technology (ATI), Professor Said Irandoust, come from South Azerbaijan, visited Astana to open ATI branch in Kazakhstan. Irandoust signed a memorandum with New Astana University JSC, expected to start its work from September 1, 2010. After the signing ceremony, Professor Irandoust gave exclusive interview to APA correspondent in Kazakhstan.

Irandoust was born in Tebriz, in 1960 and moved together with his family to Sweden in 1979. â€œI enrolled Chalmers University of Technology of Sweden due my interest to chemistry, physics and mathematics. I was professor and vice president of the university until 2000. I am honorable member of the number of worldâ€™s academies. I have been president of Bangkok-based Asian Institute of Technology since 2005â€.

He didnâ€™t forget Azerbaijani Turkic language. â€œHow can I forget my native language? The language is very important thing for us. I have two daughters. My wife is Finnish. But my daughters know the native language very well, and their mother understands our language. We must not forget our Azerbaijani national where we are. I am happy when I see a person speaking in our native languageâ€.

Said Irandoust said he was in Tebriz one time only in the past 30 years, but visited Baku for several times. â€œBoth Baku and Tebriz is our homeland â€“ Azerbaijan. Politics and borders can not remove love from the heartsâ€.

Organizations and societies from 19 countries are funding the Asian Institute of Technology. 650 scientists, professors and administrative staff members are working under Irandoustâ€™s leadership. More than 2000 students are studying at the institute. Professor Irandoust hopes that Azerbaijan will also show interest to his institute.