The establishment of Baku State University was a significant achievement for the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Before this, no universities were opened in the South Caucasus during the tsar autocracy of the Russian Empire. The Provisional Government, formed after the February Revolution in 1917, aimed to create a single higher education institution in the region - the "Russian University" in Tiflis. A commission composed of local Higher Women's Courses professors was tasked with opening the university in Tiflis, led by Professor V.I. Razumovsky, who later played a key role in setting up Baku University. The commission developed the university project and estimate, which was then presented for discussion to the government of the Transcaucasian Republic.
 
Nevertheless, due to the split of the Transcaucasian Republic into three independent republics, the government had no chance to address the issue. Despite this, in July 1918, the Higher Women's Courses were restructured into the Transcaucasian University, featuring faculties in nature, history-philology, and medicine with instruction in Russian. V. I. Razumovsky was chosen as the university's rector. However, the university faced significant financial challenges from the start, leading to the realization that it would not be viable to remain in Tiflis. Consequently, the decision arose to relocate the new university to Yekaterinodar, Iravan, or Baku. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic government, under the leadership of Fatali Khan Khoyski, prioritized the establishment of a university in Baku, a stance continued by the government of Nasib Bey Yusifbeyli.

The failure of the Transcaucasian University in Tiflis led to decisive action by the council of professors. In March 1919, rector V. I. Razumovsky suggested relocating the university to Baku during a council meeting, as the proposals from Baku seemed more practical and significant. The majority of the council supported the move, but there was opposition from a group, particularly the Armenians. To address the issue, a commission was formed, and a delegation including N.A. Dubrovsky, L.A. Ishkov, and I.S. Sitovich were sent to Baku to negotiate with the Government of the Republic and assess the situation. The negotiations revealed a strong interest from social forces and the government in opening the university in Baku, with a commitment to provide the necessary resources for its successful operation.

Upon returning to Tiflis, the delegation informed the University Council of the negotiation outcomes and recommended accepting the relocation offer. However, due to the delay caused by some professors, Baku did not receive a response by the scheduled deadline of May 1. On that same day, a telegram from Deputy Minister of Education Hamid Bey Shahtakhtinski of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic informed Professor V. I. Razumovsky that a new university was being established in Baku, requesting him to form a commission and lead the organization of the university. Consequently, the transfer of the Transcaucasian Russian University from Tiflis was no longer relevant, leading V. I. Razumovsky to resign as rector and agree to move to Baku.

The regulations for the university commission under Azerbaijan's Ministry of Public Education were approved shortly after. On May 19, 1919, the Government endorsed the university commission under the Ministry of Public Education. The commission included Professor V.I. Razumovsky as chairman, Professor A.M. Levin, and Professor N.A. Dubrovsky, with I.I. Babushkin as secretary, along with V. Irzayev, M. A. Shahtakhtinski from the Ministry of Public Education, Alijabbar Orujaliyev from the city administration, and A.N.Sarapov and M.Sultanov from the Council of the Baku Oil Industrialists' Congress. Additionally, three chief doctors of Baku hospitals participated in the commission's activities with a consultative vote. Chemist L.G. Gurvich, zoologist A.N. Derzhavin, and Master of Pharmacy I.K. Goldberg were also involved in the university commission's work. During the commission’s first meeting on May 21, 1919, Minister of Public Education Rashid Khan Gaplanov announced the Azerbaijani government's decision to open the university. The commission members were granted extensive rights, including the authority to communicate directly with high-ranking officials up to the head of the government. On June 16, the government approved the university commission's staffing and determined salaries. Within a short period, the commission submitted the declaration of the university's establishment dated May 31, 1919, the draft bill, the university charter, and the staff and budget estimates for the academic year 1919-20 to the government. The government discussed the commission's project on July 7.

Despite the challenging economic conditions in the country, funding for the university was not reduced. It was increased from 3.5 million manats to 5 million manats. Additionally, teachers' salaries were raised by 1/3 of the planned amount. A preliminary discussion in Parliament on August 21, 1919, regarding the university establishment revealed that while the majority supported its opening, some opponents were concerned about the potential Russification of the university if it were opened in Russian. These opponents feared the abolition of nationalized secondary schools once the university was operational. They proposed establishing a university that would operate in the Azerbaijani language, with its launch timed to align with the completion of the nationalization of secondary schools. However, progressive members of Parliament and renowned intellectuals dismissed the unfounded claims against the university's establishment. The visionaries advocated for gradual nationalization and Turkification of the university to be opened in Russian. F. Khoyski, the university's first proponent, along with N. Yusifbeyli, R. Gaplanov, H. Shahtakhtinski, and M.A. Rasulzade, played significant roles in the university's establishment. On September 1, 1919, Parliament enacted the "Law on the Establishment of a State University in Baku." During the same session, a resolution was passed to allocate funds for sending 100 young Azerbaijanis to study at foreign universities in the 1919-20 academic year. The university's founding law outlined four faculties: history and philology, physics and mathematics, law, and medicine. It included provisions for a temporary staff and budget effective September 1, 1919, granting the university commission the authority to appoint the inaugural rector and deans for a three-year term. Additionally, the collegium was empowered to invite professors, and the scientific council was tasked with organizing a management board. The law stipulated that 5 million manats be allocated from the state budget to equip the university with essential facilities and to organize classes for the 1919-20 academic year. It specifically mandated that the Azerbaijani (Turkish) language be taught as a compulsory subject across all faculties. Baku State University officially began its operations on September 1, 1919, admitting both male and female students on equal terms, with Azerbaijani citizens receiving priority during the admission.

The university’s organizing commission unanimously appointed V.I. Razumovsky as rector, while prominent historian and publicist N.A. Dubrovsky was named dean of the history-philology faculty. Additionally, Prof. I.I. Shirokogorov was elected as the dean of the medical faculty. As I.I. Shirokogorov was not present in Baku, Professor A.M. Levin was designated as the interim dean of the medical faculty. On September 10, the university commission resolved to invite A.A. Oshman, M.S. Milman, L.G. Gurvich, and A.N. Derzhavin to join the faculty of medicine, and Y.I. Baybakov, L.A. Ishkov, L.G. Lopatinsky, and A.B. Selikhanovich to the history-philology faculty as professors.

The final meeting of the university commission occurred on September 15, 1919, during which the Provisional Council and University Management Board were formed. The "Charter of Baku State University" received parliamentary approval on September 29, 1919. This charter, comprising five chapters and 72 articles, outlined the university's organizational framework, the functions of its academic and research sectors, and the rights and responsibilities of its faculty members. In September 1919, V. I. Razumovsky and N. A. Dubrovsky visited southern Russian universities to recruit missing personnel. They gained the endorsement of several distinguished scientists in Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinoslav, and Kharkiv.   Professor B.K. Finkelstein, a member of the university commission, traveled to Western Europe to procure equipment, literature, and other resources. The inaugural meeting of the University Council was held on November 10, 1919, during which the roster of professors and academic staff was finalized. November 15, 1919, was designated as the official start date for classes at the university.

In its inaugural academic year, the university enrolled 877 students, and 217 auditors. Baku State University celebrated its first achievements in 1922 when 30 individuals earned their university degrees, qualifying them as physicians with higher education. Among these graduates were two Azerbaijani women: Ms. Adila Shahtakhtli, who became the first female doctor of sciences in medicine in Azerbaijan, and Ms. Jannat Sultanova, a renowned physician in the Republic.

The founding of a university in Baku held tremendous historical significance. It sparked a renewed interest among the populace in science, education, and culture, providing Azerbaijanis access to a modern university education. This establishment marked the beginning of university-level education in Azerbaijan, which played a pivotal role in enhancing national identity and fostering a sense of independent statehood. Its impact extended beyond Azerbaijan’s borders, influencing the broader Muslim and Turkic communities.

Following the establishment of Soviet power in Azerbaijan, numerous institutions, state symbols, and attributes established by the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic were dismantled. Much like our first independent state, these legacies now exist only in archival documents and the memories of patriotic individuals. Baku State University, a remarkable institution of science founded by the Democratic Republic, has endured these challenges and emerged with dignity and honor after many years. Throughout this time, the institution underwent several name changes, and its staff faced repression and pressure. Nevertheless, its core mission - educating the children of our homeland has remained steadfast.
 

Recommended literature:

1. Bakı Dövlət Universiteti 15 il mətbuat aynasında / layihənin rəh., ön sözün müəl. A. M. Məhərrəmov ; tərt.-müəl. P. Y. İbrahimova ; red. heyəti: F. Dursunova [et al.]. - Bakı : Nurlar NPM, 2014. - 536 s.
2. Məlikli, Günel Qurbanəli qızı. Bir əsrin xəzinəsi - Bakı Dövlət Universiteti 100 il / G. Q. Məlikli ; AMEA Fəlsəfə İnstitutu. - Bakı : Xəzər Universiteti nəşriyyatı, 2019. - 296 s.
3. Bakı Dövlət Universiteti - 100 ilin elm və təhsil məbədi / Bakı Dövlət Universiteti ; tərt.: A. C. İsgəndərov [et al.] ; elmi red. M. C. Qasımlı ; red.: Ə. Ağamirzəyev, Ə. Ağakişiyev. - Bakı : Nurlar NPM, 2019. - 296 s.
4. Bakı Dövlət Universiteti - elmi fəaliyyət və uğurlar / Bakı Dövlət Universiteti ; tərt.: Ə. Ağamirzəyev [et al.] ; elmi red. A. Kazımzadə. - Bakı : Nurlar NPM, 2019. - 256 s.
5. Mərdanov, Misir Cumayıl oğlu. Bakı Dövlət Universiteti / M. C. Mərdanov ; elmi red. F. Rüstəmov. - Bakı : Təhsil, 2021. - 672 s.
6. Bakı Dövlət Universiteti Vətən müharibəsi dövründə / Bakı Dövlət Universiteti. - Bakı : BDU nəşriyyatı, 2021. - 68 s.