In January 2024, I took a significant step by establishing the first board of the University of Glasgow Azerbaijan Alumni Association (UGAAA) to ensure its proper functioning. Once the board was formed, our focus shifted to planning our first-ever event—a special occasion dedicated to commemorating the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Scheduled for February 17th, this event marked a milestone in our journey as a newly formed organization.
As a new association with much to accomplish, we decided that hosting the iconic Scottish cultural celebration, Burns Night, would be the perfect way to launch our activities. However, organizing such a large-scale event came with its own set of challenges. Limited funds, budgeting constraints, and resource shortages were just a few hurdles we faced. Yet, I firmly believe that determination and decisive action can turn ideas into reality.
To ensure success, we needed effective marketing, credibility, and strong partnerships. The University of Glasgow encourages its alumni associations to operate independently, so my first step was to establish collaborations. I’ve always believed that collaboration fosters innovation. As a result, I partnered with leading media outlets, including Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az, and Azernews, which became our official media partners for the event. Through pre-event press releases and numerous meetings, we were able to drive our marketing efforts forward.
Despite our efforts, challenges persisted. The importance of leveraging the network around me became clear. A friend’s advice to rethink and restrategize proved pivotal—it changed the course of our planning and helped us overcome obstacles.
The Event
On the day of the event, I had the honor of delivering the opening speech as UGAAA President. I highlighted that UGAAA was founded in 2023 with the endorsement of the University of Glasgow. The association stands as a proud member of the university's global alumni network, with a mission to foster a strong sense of community among University of Glasgow alumni and Azerbaijani alumni affiliated with UK institutions. UGAAA is committed to building meaningful connections through its events and initiatives.
During the event, guests were introduced to the rich history and culture of the University of Glasgow, and the significance of Burns Night was explained. The evening also featured poetic recitations by the renowned poetesses and writers Ulviya Akhundova and Leili Salaeva, the latter being a laureate of an international prize. They beautifully read works by Robert Burns and Mirza Shafi Vazeh, an outstanding Azerbaijani poet of the 18th and 19th centuries.
The event unfolded seamlessly, capturing the hearts of all attendees with its warm and engaging atmosphere.
Among the guests were representatives from the British Embassy, UK alumni, and members of various organizations. They had the opportunity to network, enjoy a buffet dinner, and immerse themselves in Scottish culture together.
