On May 15, 2024, the final of the “2nd National Consecutive Interpretation Contest” organized by the Department of English Language and Literature was held at Khazar University’s Marble Hall. 8 finalists majoring in translation from 4 universities of the country took part in the contest. Note that the finalists were determined on the basis of a three-stage selection.
The event started with the welcome notes by Professor Hamlet Isakhanli, founder of Khazar University and chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees and Irada Khalilova and the Rector of Khazar University. Then the participants translated live speeches into English, Azerbaijani and Russian. The guest speakers were Vahid Asgari, Gulafat Shafiyeva and Grigorii Penkov. Vahid Asgari, (LING, BC, Int’l Business Affairs Consultant & ESL/EFL Instructor) delivered a speech on “Consecutive Interpretation Importance and skills”. The second speaker Gulafat Shafiyeva (Lecturer, Khazar University) and third speaker Grigorii Penkov (Lecturer, Khazar University) dedicated their speeches to COP 29. It should be mentioned that “The 2024 Baku Climate Change Conference”, or COP 29, is an international conference organized by the United Nations that will take place from November 11 to 22, 2024 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
The seven-member contest jury consisted of Elvin Abbasbayli (Coordinator of Translation Center, Lecturer, Khazar University), Fiala Abdullayeva (Head of Translation Center, ADU), Firangiz Nasirova (Lecturer, Khazar University), Irina Orujova (Lecturer, Translation dep, ADU), Israfil Khakiyev (Owner, Translation Center “RAGA MMC”), Nasimi Hasanov (Owner, Translation Center “Shams”) and Zamira Gurbanova (Lecturer, Khazar University).
The jury evaluated the participants based on pre-defined criteria. The winners of the contest are:
1st place: Gulsun Hamidova – fourth year bachelor student majoring in Translation (English), Khazar University.
2nd place: Zahra Ahadova – second-year master student majoring in Translation (English), Azerbaijan University of Languages.
3rd place: Javid Novruzov – fourth-year bachelor student majoring in Translation (English), Baku Slavic University
3rd place: Khayala Mammadova- a fourth-year bachelor student majoring in Translation (English), Khazar University
The winners were awarded certificates and crystal plaques.