The Caucasus Research Resource Centers (CRRC) Azerbaijan organized a Sharbat Karimli essay competition among 2nd and 3rd year undergraduate students in any higher education institution in Azerbaijan. The participants could have chosen one of the suggested policy issues, and submit maximum 2500 words essay in English language. The topics covered such themes as sustainable economic development; government's anti-corruption policy; the most pressing problems in the education system in Azerbaijan; road safety and domestic violence. 

The Selection Committee identified three winners, who will be presented with the prizes of 300 AZN, 200 AZN and 100 AZN value for the first, second and third places respectively. The following participants were selected as winners:

1st place - Jeyhun Huseynov

2nd place - Nurana Mammadova

3rd place - Ozal Aliyev

The award ceremony will be held at CRRC- Azerbaijan office on June 25th, 2012. All other participants will be awarded with consolation prizes – book vouchers. 

The essay competition is dedicated to the memory of late Sharbat Karimli, graduate of the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara and master’s student in International Relations at Khazar University between 2004 and 2005. A multi-talented and bright person, Sharbat authored a number of publications and songs and was fluent in English, Turkish, Russian and Persian. His passionate patriotism was an inspiration to his friends. Sharbat tragically died in a car accident in 2005 on the way to his native Jalilabad where he was running for a parliamentary seat and was about to meet voters. He was only 30. CRRC-Azerbaijan has invited Sharbat’s family and friends to attend the award ceremony.