Aserbaidschans Regierung finanziert an der Berliner Humboldt-Universität eine Professorin, die für das Land werben soll. Macht die Hochschule PR für einen Unrechtsstaat?

ZEIT

Azerbaijan’s government is funding a professor at Berlin’s Humboldt University to promote the country. Is the university doing PR for an unjust state?

In German academia, it may be a niche to deal with Azerbaijan – but for Eva-Maria Auch, it is a lifelong subject. The historian studied Oriental Studies in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku for five years in the 1970s and later, after completing her studies and earning her doctorate, habilitated in Eastern European History. Her topic: German-Caucasian relations. She also led research projects, received teaching assignments and a total of four professorships. On the side, she ran a company that advised business people and arranged trips to the Caucasus. In the fall of 2010, the 58-year-old was appointed professor of the history of Azerbaijan at Berlin’s Humboldt University (HU). Now, finally, she has managed to establish her field of research.

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Sebastian Erb @ Bernd Kramer