Haysa Osmanly, originally from Zardab, Azerbaijan, is a doctor of science and a lecturer at the University of Regina in Canada. She also works as a data specialist at Farm Credit Canada. Her path took her from a small Azerbaijani town to earning a PhD abroad. During her doctoral studies, she married Arno, a Canadian of French descent. Together, they have two daughters, Sophia and Daphne.
— Tell us a bit about yourself.
I completed my primary education in Zardab, studying at Secondary School No. 3 from grades 1 to 10. My mother was a physics teacher but not my own. Until 10th grade, I had never left Zardab. My school laid a strong foundation, especially my teacher Khalid Megerramov. Thanks to him, I fell in love with math and physics. He had a huge influence on who I am today. Now, my eldest daughter Sophia is very active, just like I was. Sometimes I show her a photo of Khalid muallim and say, “This is my favorite teacher. You should love your teachers and school too.”
— Then you went to study in the US. How did your parents feel about that?
My father had a tough childhood—he lost his mother early and grew up without her. Later, he studied cybernetics at Baku State University and continued education in Moscow. My mother graduated from the physics faculty of Baku State University and also studied in Moscow, where they met. My family always valued education, so studying abroad was never questioned. My parents encouraged me.
— How did you learn English?
When I was in 6th grade, Americans from the Peace Corps came to Zardab and taught at our school. My mom invited an American couple, Cesar and Ema, to live with us for free if they would teach me English. Thanks to them, even my grandfather started learning the language. I wasn’t naturally talented in languages, but my mom created an environment where not learning was impossible. Cesar later helped me get into the FLEX program, so I went to Texas and finished 11th grade there. I still keep in touch with them—Cesar now runs his own school in Virginia.
— After the US, you returned to Azerbaijan, then moved to Germany?
Yes. I enrolled at Baku State University but transferred after four months to the University of Mannheim in Germany. By then, I had started learning German, got certified, and was selected through a state youth overseas education program. The university helped me connect with the son of my math teacher, who works as a doctor in Germany.
— There was a tragedy on the day you left, right?
Unfortunately, yes. After my parents saw me off at the airport, on their way back, our cousin fell asleep at the wheel and the car flipped. Only my mom was injured—she wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, the door opened, and she was thrown out. When I arrived in Germany, my parents didn’t answer my calls. After a day, a neighbor told me the lights were on and everything seemed okay. The next day, my father said my mom was on a business trip. I believed him because she often traveled for work as an honored teacher. Ten days later, he came to me and told me she had died. I wanted to return, but he convinced me it wouldn’t change anything. I spent a year in deep depression and struggled to adjust. Later, I completed a master’s in economics under another government program. My advisor was Markus Frölich, a recognized econometrics expert who steered me toward statistics and data analysis.
— After your master’s, you returned to Azerbaijan?
Yes. Upon returning, the Ministry of Education recommended me for an economist position in the Research and Development department of the Central Bank. I worked there for 2.5 years and also taught math at the International School of Economics at Azerbaijan State University of Economics, where instruction was in English. I had prior teaching experience from Germany, where I was a teaching assistant.
— How did you become a lecturer at a German university?
In Germany, master’s programs are either coursework-based or research-based. I chose the latter, which involves research participation. When a vacancy opened, I applied and was accepted. Because of many international students, preference is often given to foreign lecturers, as they can explain concepts clearly and are culturally closer to foreign students. So, getting the job was relatively easy.
— Why continue your studies in Canada?
I’m a person who needs growth. After two years at the Central Bank, I felt I wasn’t progressing professionally. I applied to the University of Toronto, but my field lacked funding there. Then I found a supervisor, Andrey Volodin, at the University of Regina, who introduced me to a fellow Azerbaijani, Arzu Sardarli, with whom he had collaborated. Thanks to them, I was admitted to a fully-funded PhD program in statistics.
— You studied in Azerbaijan, Germany, and Canada. How do the education systems compare?
Germany offers the best education in my opinion, with strong emphasis on theory. For example, in medicine, you deeply study anatomy and physiology before practical work, which builds confidence.
Canada unfortunately lacks theoretical depth. When I taught undergrads there, I was shocked how little they understood basics. Some struggled with fractions. Meanwhile, in 10th-11th grade in Zardab, we covered derivatives, integrals, and limits—topics they tackled only in graduate school.
— How did you feel when you learned one of your supervisors was Azerbaijani?
It was a lovely coincidence. I’ve always felt a deep connection to my homeland, and it’s comforting to be close to my roots. Meeting Arzu muallim felt like meeting family in Zardab. He has always supported me, helped with my research, and even played a big role in my family life. Arzu muallim helps not just me, but all Azerbaijanis here—he’s a wonderful person.
— You mentioned Arzu muallim helped you start your family. How?
My husband Arno is French by descent but born and raised in Canada. We met in 2019 when I started at the University of Regina in statistics and he was a math grad student. He’s currently a postdoc at McGill University in Montreal, having defended his PhD six months after me.
When we decided to marry, I asked my father’s permission. It took many talks, including Arzu muallim’s involvement. Eventually, my father agreed—on the condition Arno convert to Islam. He agreed, and we married in September 2020. We now have two daughters, aged four and three.
— What language do you speak at home?
We try to speak French. If that fails, we switch to English. But when I’m mad at the kids, I speak Azerbaijani. They don’t speak it, but understand everything. Since birth, I’ve sung Azerbaijani lullabies and poems to them—like Lay-lay, Khoruz, Ya bundadır, ya onda. They may not grasp the meaning yet, but they feel the emotion and intonation. I love my people and see my roots in my children—I call them Zardabians.
I often ask my father to speak Russian with them, so they learn it too. I struggled with not knowing Russian growing up, and want my kids to know it.
Since my husband is French, we enrolled the girls in a French-language school. They required me to have a French certificate and promise to speak French at home, so I learned it and passed the exam.
— Do you face any cultural challenges with your husband’s family?
His family is Christian, but I don’t see cultural problems. The French have amazing cuisine—I cook dolma, which his relatives love. The French tradition is for the whole family to gather for dinner, while in Azerbaijan people often eat on the go. Before, I fed the kids as soon as they came from kindergarten because they were hungry, but my husband insisted dinner should be a family event. Now we bathe the kids, distract them, and sit down for dinner as a family at 7 p.m.
— You had children during your PhD. Was it tough?
Yes. My eldest was already born and I was pregnant with the second during my doctoral studies. It wasn’t easy. But since it coincided with COVID-19 lockdowns, we stayed home, giving me more time for research. My husband helped a lot.
— You mentioned you don’t have a TV at home because of the kids?
We really don’t have a TV. When the kids come home, we put away phones and tablets so they don’t even see them. I only use my smartphone after they’re asleep. Otherwise, if we watch something, they want to watch too. Instead, we do crafts—I cut out paper figures for them, we read books, garden, and plant things. My eldest daughter has golden hands—give her some boards and she’ll build something amazing. If she watched TV or played on tablets, she wouldn’t have developed these skills.
— You don’t use social media much either?
My dad bought me my first phone when I went to Germany, but it was just for calls. I was so focused on studying, I didn’t think about social media. If I’d known you could learn something there, maybe I would’ve joined. But I don’t feel I missed out. I’d rather spend my time with my children.
— Will you continue research work? What are your goals?
I currently work as a data specialist at Farm Credit Canada, which provides loans to farmers. The work is research-oriented but not academic. For me, research is a lifestyle, not just a job. Before defending my PhD, I would wake up at night to jot down ideas so I wouldn’t forget. Now, with little kids, I can’t keep that pace. My priority is to leave a mark in my children’s lives. I plan to return to academia in 10-15 years. Meanwhile, I teach at the University of Regina to stay updated in my field.
— Do you plan to stay in Canada?
Actually, my husband and I don’t plan to stay long-term. When the kids grow up, we want to move back to Germany. If he finds work there, we’ll relocate. Germans feel closer to me—they say what they mean directly, don’t smile to your face and talk behind your back. With Canadians, it’s different. Also, we want our children to grow up in a more traditional, conservative environment. And maybe the harsh Canadian winters influenced our decision too.
— What’s the secret to your success?
Honestly, it comes from my parents. I grew up in a very happy family with a hardworking, caring father devoted to family—and the same for my mother. They didn’t spoil me. I faced hardships, and they shaped my character. At 16, I lived alone in Texas and made all my own decisions.
I’m amazed that despite all the comforts, Canadians don’t always strive to learn. The brain activates under pressure, not comfort. So I try not to make life too easy for my children. I want them to avoid getting used to comfort.
A person needs goals. If you lack money, housing, or education, that pushes you forward. When you have everything, there’s no drive. Hardships motivate, and mine are a big reason for my success.
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