DUSHANBE, May 28, 2014, Asia-Plus – Lyceum No 1 in the northern city of Konibodom has been named after prominent Tajik historian, Professor Mansour Babakhanov.

A ceremony of naming the lyceum after Professor Mansour Babakhanov was held in Konibodom on May 24.  The ceremony was attended by teachers and students from the lyceum, labor and war veterans, senior representatives of the Konibodom mayor’s office, relatives and friends of the scholar.

Speaking at the ceremony, Konibodom Mayor Numonjon Obidzoda noted that Professor Mansour Babakhanov made considerable contribution to development of historical studies in Tajikistan. 

Known Tajik poet Ali Bobojon, the Konibodom education department chairperson Khovarkhon Najmiddinova, one of Mansour Babakhanov’s pupils, Muhiddinjon Fayzulloyev, and the scholar’s son Umed Babakhanov also made speeches at the ceremony.

Founded in 1998, Lyceum No 1 is one of the best educational institutions in Konibodom and more than 300 competitively selected students now study at this educational facility.

Special grants named after Professor Mansour Babakhanov will be given to the best students and special awards named after the scholar will be given to the lyceum teachers beginning from the new school.

Professor Mansour Babakhanov (August 28, 1931 – July 19, 2012) received his early education in the Konibodom district before graduating in 1953 from Tajik National University in Dushanbe.

From 1965 to 1982, Professor Babakhanov served as Dean of the Faculty of History at Tajik National University.  From 1881 to 1998, he headed the Department of the History of the USSR (Domestic History), Faculty of History at Tajik National University.

From 1998 to 1999, Dr. Babakhanov was Professor at the Department of History, Russian-Tajik Slavic University (RTSU) in Dushanbe.  From 1999 to 2001, he was Dean of the Faculty of History and Law and the Faculty of International Relations at RTSU.  Since 2001, Dr. Babakhanov had been Professor at the Department of Domestic History, RTSU.

Since 2006, Professor Mansour Babakhanov had headed “The Tajiks and Persian-speaking Peoples of the World” Scientific Research Center at Tajik National University.

Professor Mansour Babakhanov is author of more than 400 research works and articles on history of Tajikistan, including 80 monographs.

Professor Mansour Babakhanov was awarded the Order of Dousti (Friendship) and the Medal “Veteran of Labor” for his important contribution to development of science and higher education in Tajikistan.