World-famous Chinese geophysicist, Azerbaijani origin, Academician, Professor of Geotectonics and Geodynamics, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, Winner of the National Award of China - "Top-Level National Talent of /B/ category", Winner of the highest government award of the People's Republic of China "WestLake Friendship Award", the highest government award for foreign scientists in Zhejiang Province.
Background
Elchin Khalilov's roots are connected with the famous family of the Azerbaijani intelligentsia. His great-grandfather Sadikhbek Agabekzade was a general of the tsarist army in the Caucasus, who commanded a Corps in Azerbaijan. In 2019, he was appointed First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the democratic Government of Azerbaijan and also served as Minister of Defense for several months. His grandfather Agabekov Huseynbek was a famous professor of medicine in Azerbaijan. His father, Nusrat Khalilov, was an outstanding geologist, professor, Doctor of Sciences, Honored Geologist of Azerbaijan. His mother, Rena Khalilova, is an Honored Teacher of Azerbaijan, who has been a senior lecturer at the Azerbaijan Pedagogical University for more than 50 years.
Education
• Khalilov Elchin graduated from Azerbaijan Institute of Petroleum and Chemistry named after M.Azizbeyov in 1981 on speciality of geophysicist (the master, the engineer-geophysicist).
• In 1984 E.Khaliov defended PhD in geotectonics at the Institute of Geology of National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan.
• In 1990 he defended Doctoral of Science thesis at the Moscow State University after M. V. Lomonosov (c. Moscow) in the area of study and prediction of earthquakes and volcano eruptions. The degree of “Doctor of Sciences in Geophysics” is the highest academic degree in the Soviet Union (equivalent to the title of “Professor”).
• In 2001 he was elected an Academician of the International Academy of Sciences (Austria, Innsbruck);
• In 2008 he was elected a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences (Russia, Moscow);
• In 2011 Elchin Khalilov was assigned the academic title of Full Professor in the speciality of geotectonics and geodynamics. This status is assigned by the Expert Council of Higher Certifying Commission at the President of Azerbaijan.
Career
• From 1981 to 1989 he worked in the Southern Department of All-Union Scientific-Research Institute of Geophysics in positions of: engineer, junior scientific specialist, senior scientific specialist and chief of laboratory.
• From 1986 to 1989 Khalilov E.N. was elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Young Scientists and Spesialists of Central Committee of the Communist Youth Union of Azerbaijan.
• From 1988 to 1999 he was elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Union of Inventors of Azerbaijan.
• From 1989 to 1993 he is President of International Scientific and Technical Complex "Intergeo-Tethys".
• From November 1993 to January 2014 Elchin Khalilov was the Head of Scientific-Research Center “GEOS” directly subordinated to the Government of Azerbaijan.
• From 1991 to 1995 he was elected as the Deputy of Baku State Council of People's deputies and the Chairman of Permanent Deputy Commission on Ecology.
• In 2000, Khalilov E.N was appointed as Vice-Chairman of Expert Council of Higher Certifying Commission at the President of Azerbaijan - the Highest State Body for awarding Academic Scientific Degrees and Academic Titles;
• From 2002 up till 2021 E. Khalilov is the Director of Scientific-Research Institute on forecasting and studying of earthquakes (SRIPSE).
• In 2006-2010, Khalilov E.N was appointed as Chairman of Expert Council of Higher Certifying Commission at the President of Azerbaijan.
• In 2006 Elchin Khalilov was appointed a director of the International Project on the topic "New Technology of Seismic Stable Construction ".
• In 2007 Khalilov E.N. was the Co-Chairman of the International Symposium «Natural cataclysms and global problems of a modern civilization» with participation of scientists from 30 countries of the world (on September, 24-27th 2007 г, Baku).
• In 2008, Elchin Khalilov was elected President of the Global Network for the Forecasting of Earthquakes (GNFE);
• Since 2009, Elchin Khalilov has been elected Chairman of the International Committee on Global Changes in the Geological Environment GEOCHANGE (Germany, Munich), which unites outstanding scientists from 90 countries of the world.
• In 2010, Elchin Khalilov was elected President of the World Organization for Scientific Cooperation "Science without Borders" (Germany, Munich).
• In 2011 Khalilov E.N. was the Chairman of the International Congress - World Forum «Natural cataclysms and global problems of a modern civilization» with participation of scientists from 40 countries of the world (on September, 21-23th 2011 г, Turkey, Istanbul).
• From 2014 till 2021 he works as the President of Scientific and Technical Complex Intergeo-Tethys, Director General of the State Scientific-Industrial Mining corporation "AZERZEOLIT" and Director of Scientific-Research Institute of the Forecasting and Studying of Earthquakes (Baku, Azerbaijan).
• In 29 November 2018, Khalilov E.N. was elected an Academician of the International Academy of Ecology and Life Safety, associated with the DOI UN.
• January 1, 2019 Elchin Khalilov was elected an Vice-President of the International Alliance "One Belt and One Road" Science and Technology, China, Beijing.
• In 2021, Khalilov E.N. was elected an Academician of the International Academy of Sciences of the Turkic Peoples;
• In 2021, academician, Professor Dr. Elchin Khalilov became the winner of the State Talent Attraction Program in China and received the State Status of a National Talent of the Highest Category of the People's Republic of China. As the winner of the National Talent Development Program of China, Professor Elchin Khalilov was invited to work at Wenzhou University.
• Since September 2022, Academician Elchin Khalilov has been working at Wenzhou University as a Foreign Scientific Expert of the Highest Category and a visiting professor. He simultaneously heads several major research projects and the ZEOMAG research program at Wenzhou University.
• In 2024, Professor Elchin Khalilov was elected Acting President of the Asian Academy of Sciences.
• In 2025, Elchin Khalilov was awarded the WestLake Friendship Award, the highest government award for foreign scientists in Zhejiang Province, for outstanding scientific achievements during his time at Wenzhou University.
Politics
He is a maximalist in his work and life. Basic principles of life in science: 1. Science should be beyond political, geographical, national and ideological boundaries; 2. Science is free; 3. Science should serve people; 4. Scientific heritage should belong to all peoples equally. 5. The achievements of scientists should be evaluated honestly and with dignity, regardless of nationality, race, religious affiliation, and socio-political and administrative status.
Personality
Despite his tireless commitment to scientific research, Elchin Khalilov pays much attention to the popularization of science, unites scientists from different countries, especially Asia, to solve pressing problems of humanity. A striking example of this is the creation of the Asian Academy of Sciences on the initiative of Elchin Khalilov and under his direct supervision. He is honest and sincere with friends, charming and shows great respect and love for the older generation, loves children, but can be harsh and harsh with enemies.
