ADA Student Digest Issue No 2

ADA Student Digest

Issue No. 2 Jan./Feb. 2016

Contents

Poem p. 2
What? When? Where? - The Intellectual Games Club pp.3-4
To What Extent: Strictness vs Benevolence? pp. 5-6
Every Minute Counts pp. 7-9
The Silent Hero p. 10
Interview: Undergraduate Student Government pp. 11-14

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ADA News

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Stay tuned and follow the upcoming events on Facebook :
https://www.facebook.com/ADA-Intellectual-Games-Club-1684057571829513/

By Sabira Imrani

“The new league is expected to begin soon. their leisure time learning, while having fun.
This time we’ll start from the very first league

Since it has been found, the club organized
round so that competition with teams of other the “What? Where? When?” synchronic
universities would be more exciting” – shared

league of 2015 at ADA with other univer-
club’s news Konul Gurbanli, who is one of

sities. The games took place each week on
the founders of ADA Intellectual Games Club. Saturday since October 2015, and the final
Establishing the Intellectual Games club game was on 19th of December. The com-
in April 2015, Ilkin Umarov and Konul petition was won by the team “Masters”,
Gurbanli are the first who brought “What? one of our own ADA University teams.
Where? When?” competition to ADA uni-

“Of course, we, as a team, feel great about
versity. Now the team is larger than

this achievement, and it gave us motivation
that, including Davud Samadov, Maya

to do more. Before starting these competi-
Hajizade and Sebuhi Bakhshiyev and

tions we didn’t know that we have so many
Sevinj Jafarli, helping in game organization.

talented people at ADA and so many students
“Almost all universities in Azerbaijan have who are interested in the intellectual games,”
an intellectual games club, which is respon- said Konul, sharing her impressions about
sible for organizing internal competitions as ADA’s team victory. “We feel very proud that
well as representing the university in coun- we have such mates in our university, and
try-wide championships”, said a member of proud that we can do something to help them
the club. “But before our club, no such one carry their talent even further and compete
was established in ADA, and consequently this with other teams from different universities.”
affected the performance of ADA teams in dif- The first synchronic league held in ADA
ferent championships with all universities.”

brought not only high achievement for both
The main goal of The Intellectual Games its university and the club, but also caused
Club is to establish a society of intellectu- great interest among ADA students, so in this
als at ADA, representing the university in year organizers plan to add some new intel-
different competitions. Moreover, such intel- lectual games besides the synchronic league.
lectual games encourage students to spend

Stay tuned and follow the upcoming events on Facebook ! 4

By Jakub Csabay

ADA as every young community is still in of Conduct, the first part is questionable.

the process of developing its own rules Certainly, the boy is neither Jean

and their standardized implementation, Valjean as his intention was clearly not

balancing between strictness and benev- to feed hungry children of his sister

olence. While a recent move towards nor does his case have potential to be

standardization in the Department of an inspiration for some future movie

Foreign Languages has clearly been such as “ADA Redemption”. Instead,
a positive impulse, a contrary exam-
in my understanding, it seems like a
ple can be almost strictly standardized
very unusual way of self-promotion
delay in the book allowance payment
stemming from boredom, immatu-
to International Fellowship students,
rity and childishness; an action with
which represents rather negative side
of “benevolence” at ADA. Fortunately, very unfortunate consequences.

there have not been many cases related Understandably, ADA wanted to make an

to the Student Code of Conduct, yet example of this case in order to discour-

a while ago one such case appeared. age other potential ‘’home-made artists’’

with such degree of creativity, which is
Recently, one ADA student was sentenced

very likely to be a successful strategy.
to suspension from ADA for one semes-

Furthermore, ADA, in pursuit of edu-
ter and to compensation of damage for

cating the future of Azerbaijan, rightly
writing a vulgarism on a piece of furni-

believes that its students should be
ture at ADA University. While the second mature enough to avoid such “secondary
part of the punishment is very sensible

school stupidities” and it is clearly deter-
and well-grounded in the Student Code

mined to achieve this goal. However,

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there is another side to consider, too. application of some degree of clemency
could have been useful, especially given

The strict approach ADA has taken can
the fact that one act like this cannot pos-

have a negative impact on personal and
sibly ruin ADA’s reputation, plus a bit

educational development of the student
of benevolence may teach a lesson too.

for he will be excluded from the edu-
cational process and environment for Time will surely show which approach,
one semester, which is a very long time strict or benevolent, suits ADA best.
ADA could have used to educate him. Strictness is often considered to be
Therefore, in my opinion, some form of more professional but without at least
more lenient punishment like commu- a certain degree of benevolence a policy
nity work at ADA could have been more loses its human side. ADA as a rela-
practical, though such option is not tively small community has still time
present in ADA’s Code of Conduct for and space to develop the best possible
the time being. Moreover, if it had really combination of these two approaches.
been a youthful indiscretion that had
driven this boy to commit to such an act,

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By Elnur Imanbayli

I remember that moment well. It was I had already spent three years at
my first day in Lithuania and my stu- ADA and run several student projects
dent exchange program had just started. and initiatives, which were successful
Under heavy rain we were shown according to people’s judgement. I was
around Kaunas. Someone asked me if getting highly encouraged by such feed-
I will later on ask for an extension of back. I knew a lot of people at ADA and
my exchange program. I told him that I we were in good relations, yet, I did not
will have only one year and a half left have any close friends. Although, I would
to spend at ADA. Thus, I will not do feel the gap created by the absence of
it. I was so confident with my answer. true friends, for me, at the time finding

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such ones was not really a priority. as local students have the complex of
“being someone important” or “more

In the previous edition of ADA Student
important”. I believe this complex (or

Digest, Jakub Csabay, an exchange stu- “competition”) discourages us from
dent at ADA published an article focusing

taking enough time for one another
on the importance of communication to communicate and benefit from
among students at ADA. He particularly

each other’s experience and thoughts.
emphasized the lack of communica-

tion that exists among foreign and local I believe, in the case of many local stu-

students. Considering the importance dents at ADA, communication and

of the issue raised, I decided to pres- discovering different minds and cultures

ent a local perspective on the issue. are not a priority. The foreign student

perspective in the previous edition has
Unfortunately, lack of communication

shown that such a lack of communica-
is not only present among foreign and

tion is felt by foreign students as well.
local students as two different groups,

Additionally, when talking to foreign
but it also exists among local ones.

students, I realize that a proper inte-

ADA University presents a lot of oppor- gration process into the society is still

tunities to its students, especially to lacking. Although here the responsi-

the local ones, as it is one of the most bility lies upon their shoulders, too.

prestigious institutions in the country. I In one single minute, so many things

believe the way the prestige of ADA is happen at the same time in this city:
A driver does not stop in the traffic
reflected on local students is one of the

reasons why they do not form enough light and risks the life of a passenger.

appreciation of communication or ded- An actress feels excited or nervous as

ication to making new friends. From my she is going to perform on the stage

observations, I think, many local stu-
dents try to fit into the prestige of ADA in less than a minute. Someone thinks
of leaving this country after not get-
and in this way, what is being missed
ting into the metro that she/he was
is sincere and friendly communica-
waiting for. A mind thinks of an idea
tion. I observe that, at ADA, many of us

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that will be very valuable in the far not sure yet, if I was successful or not

future. A student asks the professor to in doing so, but I extended my student

give him/her several more points so exchange program for the second time.

that he/she can get a scholarship. I remember that moment well. It was

There are a lot of opportunities. The one of the first days just after coming

choice is ours. The way we form our sur- back to Azerbaijan. I was in the Dean’s
rounding is also our responsibility. That office to convince him to prolong my

is why I encourage our foreign students program in Lithuania. When he asked

to keep discovering as much as they can me why I wanted to do so, I told him that

so that their experience is valuable. I will have one year left at ADA anyways.

I was so confident with my answer.
When I went for an exchange program,

I had set up a different priority for

myself. In Lithuania, I had many friends:

Lithuanians, Azerbaijanis and other for-

eigners. It was a new experience, and I

was eager to learn and discover. I ded-

icated myself to discover Lithuania, a

new culture, a new mindset in order

to also learn more about myself. I am

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By Mullah Nasruddin

It is just a couple of days before the dead- On the other hand, as a matter of - let’s say

line and a couple of students are studying - courtesy, he is not willing to say all this

together in an empty classroom. The task out loud. What is obvious at this point is

seems tough enough so the students inter- that he is putting much effort to cover up
act. Amongst them, there is one student the awkwardness of the question. With his
called “the International”. Most of the stu- firm intention to do so, he has now turned

dents are speaking the local language, red, probably experiencing a higher rate of

the International sitting amongst them. heartbeat and a shorter time interval in his

Words in nicely built English construc- breathing. Finally taking action, he makes an
tions are thrown about, aiming to put the attempt to test his “pantomime” skills.

International at ease so that he may not feel He looks to the back while pointing at the

detached from the discussion. Actually, this International. All of this was done in silence

is going to be discovered briefly. amongst the three of them. Although the

A student in the back row, who has been International is not actually facing the

talking to her friend in the local language, action, he manages to witness it from a nine-
suddenly asks: “Niyə Azərbaycanca danışmı ty-degree angle.

rsan?” (“Why don’t you speak Azerbaijani?”).
A couple of seconds later, three people feel

The respondent to this somewhat awk- relief. One of them is the student in the back
ward question is about to accomplish a who got an answer to the awkward ques-

rather challenging mission. On the one tion. The second one is our Silent Hero who

hand, he wants to explain to his friend in managed to control the situation. The third

the back that he cannot or does not want person - the no-longer-isolated International
to switch to the local language (due to - is filled with joy and happiness. He looks

reasons including, but not limited to: his gently at the silent hero sitting next to him
kind Azerbaijani heart, having a relatively and, with a great smile, says “thank you”.

high degree of understanding of time and

space around him and having been inter-

acting with the International for a while). 10

By Sabira Imrani
This is the motto of the new student expresses that “leader” is not just a fancy

government; interestingly, so are upcom- word, rather being in the position of a leader,

ing projects: full of action and new it means a huge burden on the shoulders,

experience! indeed.

The winners of elections were glad to give Nurlan İlyas, representative of SITE:

an interview, sharing their thoughts and Due to problems, caused by disorientation

feelings and discussing their plans for serv- amongst our school students, there is a

ing period. demand for someone, who would solve and

respond to their academic problems imme-
Many congratulations on winning! The

diately. However, this job is pretty tough and
motto of the team is so exciting, how did difficult, it takes lots of energy, attention,
you come up with this?

care and responsibility. So, I understood
Tahir Qurbanli, The President of Student that actually leader is the one, who sacrifices

Government: The idea was suggested himself and his own interests on the way of

by Anar Soltan. This motto wonderfully each student and makes sure that everything

Helping students to be heard and prob- Nazrin Mammadova, BBA represent-

lems to be resolved, I agree, difficult and ative: I’m always interested in different

tough job, but you weren’t afraid and projects, whether it be social, academic or

joined the elections. What does moti- for my self-interests. So far, I have run three

vate you to take such responsibility on different projects under the names “Arts

yourselves? for Orphans”, “Project L against CBC”, and

“Sigma”, and the purpose of those projects
Aynur Jafarova, representative of BSE:

was certainly to emphasize the importance
The idea itself that we would work for

of ongoing issues related to children in
whole BSE class inspired us. We knew that

our society. When it comes to my achieve-
it would not be that easy, yet, we were sure

ments, all my works were appreciated by
that it would be great experience for us.

our university and others, but most impor-
This motivated us to join the elections.

tantly, we, as a team, reached the hearts of

Ismayil Zeynalli, representative of BAPA: children and made them think about their

Two reasons motivate me a lot. Firstly, I future, keep optimism to the life and lifted

want to help people as much as I can. The them up - and, that was a SUCCESS! On
social environment I interact at daily basis May 1, 2015 we, as a team of “Sigma”, were

is ADA family, and I think it is good to start rewarded with Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev

helping from this group of people. Secondly, Award, and donated all the received funds

my friends and some BAPA students rec- into our upcoming projects.

ommended me to apply as a candidate and
Gulnar Dadashova, BAPA representa-

I hope they did it not only because of our
friendship (laughing). Because I can do it tive: Of course. I always liked to help people,

liked to solve problems of students, wanted
better as a council and because of BAPA

to make learning process more interesting
consulship I believe in myself and in Gulnar

with the help of student clubs, projects ,
more than everyone.

competitions. They all became one part of

All ADA students are involved in many me, my life and now I can’t get rid of them,
different projects, tell about your experi- not want to (laughing) Now as a represent-

ence.What were they about? How did it ative of BAPA I do believe that I will be able

influence you? to solve our problems because I know our

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BAPA students and how to communicate Ulvi Shiraliyev, representative of BAIS:

with them. Before giving a brief information about the

upcoming projects, I would like to inform
Then taking responsibility and facing

that BAIS and BAPA councilors will be work-
challenges should not be something scary

ing together as representative body of SPIA.
for your team. However, what were your

One of the projects we are going to focus on
first feelings, when voting results were

is the monthly congress for all SPIA students.
announced?

This is going to be a great platform for the

İlkin Umarov, representative of General students to share their ideas or problems

Education: During election period, in the with us. So, we will know their needs and
very beginning, I was completely sure in find a solution as their councilors. This con-
our victory. However, day by day I started to gress is going to be first-ever experience not

think that we are going to lose this compe- only in SPIA, but at whole ADA University.

tition, because our opponent team worked So, stay tuned for this great event and for

really hard on it. Even in the last day, I more upcoming projects, into which all pos-

thought we had already lose: but the results sible efforts are being put.

were completely different. And when our
Altun Baratli, representative of SITE:

victory was announced, l somehow got sur-
One of the projects, we are working on is

prised: I didn’t expect that kind of victory. called “Exchangeable”. We want to increase

Ikram Nesirov, representative of EAPP: I the number of exchange list. We already

will never forget that situation. It was a mag- come to agreement to have Exchange
nificent sense to share your happiness with Program with Korea Advanced Institute of
your friends, people who voted you, and Science and Technology (KAIST), Kazakh-
especially with my best friend Mahammad. British Technical University (KBTU), Ulsan

(even I saw some tears in his eyes, said National Institute of Science and Technology

laughingly ). (UNIST), Nazarbayev University, Singapore

University of Technology. Another project
And now, when you are in power, it is is related with study trips: “Study Trip to
interesting for all us, what projects are Silicon Valley” - This is the first study trip
you working on? What should we expect

special for SITE students! The third project
in upcoming time?

is C.A.S.P (Comitee of Academic and Social

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Competition. There are other small-and-big
projects, which we will release in upcoming
year. We tried to be precise with projects
and work hard on them. Hopefully, the stu-
dents will appreciate them.

Mehemmed Memmedzade, represent-
ative of EAPP: Upcoming projects are
National Day and Distant Education... all
others I will keep as a secret.., let us surprise
too! There are also some projects we’re still
working on it. Anyway, as soon as we it will
be ready to announce, we will inform. Just
follow the news!
problems) This network will help staff to Aleskerli, Vice President: Firstly, we have
understand students better and students already finished our “Students for Students”
will have chance to express their concerns project, which was for EAPP students. It
at any time they want. (to be continued) helped students from A group participate
in exam to pass for General Education. Also,
Nazrin Abbaszade, representative of the event “ADA Got Talent” was organized by
BBA: BBA and BSE councilors will be repre-
Bermud Group(he is a member of Bermud
senting the School of Bussiness, so on some Group). And for sure events as Football tour-
projects we will be working on together.
nament, Trips, Parties, Economic conference,
We have one grand project, which will take
Internships, Trial exams before Final for
a long time and lots of effort to realize. But
EAPP students, and UniGotTalent projects
it worth that: it will have a great impact
are also included in our future plans. Soon,
on ADA’s students’ future career. Another
we, members of USG, will inform you about
project we are working on is Business Case
our projects with great details.
Competition. It was held before, but the dif-
ference and importance is that we want to
take the winner team to Honk Kong to par-
ticipate in International Business Case Natiq

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Writers: Editor:
Sabira Imrani Lucie Wuester
Jakub Csabay
Elnur Imanbayli
Narmin Jamalova

[email protected] Photographers:
ADA News Sayyad Farajov
Credits:
Undergraduate Student Government
Interlectual Games Club