“Turan Balabilga Academy” Has Commenced Its Activities

Jan 19, 2026

On January 17, a presentation ceremony was held at the Hedef STARS campus to mark the commencement of the "Turan Balabilga Academy."

The Academy's Scientific Secretary, PhD in History Elvin Aliyev, stated that the “Turan Balabilga Academy” was established on December 5, 2025, at Hedef Lyceum, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress. Created to protect and promote the common history, language, culture, and scientific heritage of the Turkic world, as well as to strengthen academic and cultural ties among schoolchildren, the founding conference was attended by representatives of science and the public from Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and other countries.

Elvin Aliyev also provided detailed information to the participants about the honorary and founding members of the academy.

Shamil Sadiq, the founding director of Hedef Group of Companies, President of the “Turan Balabilga Academy,” PhD in Philology, and Associate Professor, sincerely welcomed and congratulated the scientists, public figures, parents, and the first "balabilgas" (young scholars) of the academy. He stated that forming a model of Turkic youth who are attached to their national identity, possess modern thinking, technological knowledge, and moral values is among the primary priorities of the academy. It was noted that the academy operates based on the principles of volunteerism, equality, and academic freedom.

“Taking President Ilham Aliyev’s thesis 'Our family is the Turkic world' as a basis, it is our duty as both intellectuals and citizens to raise a generation that knows its history, builds the future, and is capable of integrating into global science,” said Shamil Sadiq, expressing his gratitude to project coordinators Govhar Maharramova and Sama Mastaliyeva for their effective work.

Talha Zeytinci, Deputy Chairman for Foreign Relations of the Center for Economic, Political, and Strategic Research of Turkey (TESAM), spoke about the successful activities of the Hedef Group of Companies in the fields of science, education, and culture, thanking Shamil Sadiq for initiatives aimed at the unity of the Turkic world and strengthening knowledge and education.

Subsequently, a slide presentation regarding the selection procedures for "balabilgas" at the academy was shown. The scientific supervisors, the "balabilgas" who are department heads, and participating members were introduced. It was announced that the academy would operate across 6 departments. After three months of courses and training, graduates will receive diplomas and certificates and earn the right to participate in the “Children’s Symposium.” The academy aims to further expand its activities by involving members and leaders from other Turkic states. It was emphasized that the scientific supervisors of the departments are professionals in their respective fields.

The scientific supervisors are: Galib Sharifov (Physics and Mathematics), Fatali Huseynov (Chemistry, Biology, and Life Sciences), Mammad Mammadov (AI and Data Science), Ilgar Ibrahimov and Vasif Aliyev (Finance and Business Literacy), Dilgam Ahmad (History and Culture), and Ramil Ahmad (Creative Writing). The student leaders ("balabilgas") are: Batula Abdulzada (Chemistry, Biology, and Life Sciences), Ibrahim Azizli and Shahla Khankishiyeva (Physics and Mathematics), Araz Valizade and Abbas Abdulzada (History and Culture), Ali Mirzaliyev (AI and Data Science), Murad Hasanli (Finance and Business Literacy), and Inci Sadiqova (Creative Writing).

The scientific supervisors who spoke at the ceremony provided information about the training programs and planning processes, emphasizing the importance of this initiative in raising knowledgeable, patriotic, and responsible youth.

The event concluded with a commemorative photo and the signing of cooperation agreements with the scientific supervisors. Training sessions and initial research began in the auditoriums of the Hedef STARS campus.