A conference titled “In the Light of Zarifa Aliyeva” dedicated to the 103rd anniversary of the prominent ophthalmologist-scientist, an outstanding contributor to Azerbaijani medical science with her knowledge and skills, a noble woman and a true mother, academician Zarifa Aliyeva, was held at Ganja Medical College of the Ministry of Health.

The conference began with the performance of the National Anthem of Azerbaijan. Afterwards, the memory of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the ophthalmologist-scientist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva, and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity and liberation of Azerbaijan’s lands was honored with a minute of silence.

“Academician Zarifa Aliyeva, one of the most distinguished representatives of Azerbaijani intellectual women, possessed three great qualities in her character: responsibility, diligence, and kindness. Zarifa Aliyeva, who honorably carried the great responsibility of being the daughter of the prominent statesman and scientist Aziz Aliyev, also distinguished herself with exemplary activities as a physician and scientist, writing her name in golden letters in the history of ophthalmology,” said the director of the college, Honored Doctor Mehman Rzayev, during the opening of the conference.

He noted that the great scientist’s words spoken years ago — “A doctor must feel the patient’s pain as if it were his own” — remain highly relevant today. As a true scientist, Zarifa Aliyeva overcame many difficulties and achieved significant scientific accomplishments thanks to her intellectual responsibility to the homeland, profound knowledge, and broad worldview.

Other speakers also reviewed the life and work of Zarifa Aliyeva and emphasized that the distinguished academician was awarded the M. Averbakh Prize of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences for a number of original discoveries in the study and prevention of eye injuries. Zarifa Aliyeva was the first female scientist in the former USSR to receive this award.

Afterwards, a documentary film about the life and activities of the prominent scientist Zarifa Aliyeva was presented.

At the end of the event, songs and poems were performed by the students of the college, and dances added special interest to the event.