“Azerbaijan Teacher” newspaper, issue dated November 1, 2025
By Aynur Arazgizi

A Platform Where Science, Industry, and Youth Unite

On October 24, Mingachevir State University once again confirmed its role as a strategic bridge between education and industry. The “Regional University–Industry Cooperation Summit 2025,” jointly organized with HBN Group and the Azerbaijan–Turkey Businessmen Union, has already evolved from being merely an event into a model for regional development. The participation of the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4SIM) as the main partner and “Job in Global” as the silver sponsor further increased the national significance of the initiative.

“From the Region to the Globe” – A New Development Philosophy

The Rector of Mingachevir State University, Associate Professor Anar Eminov, summarized the essence of the summit with the following words:

“This platform is a future-oriented union that combines the region’s educational, industrial, and innovation potential.”

According to the rector, the “From the Region to the Globe” concept aims to transform Mingachevir not only into Azerbaijan’s energy capital but also into an innovative center for the integration of science and industry.

Within the framework of the summit, 110 public and private institutions offered 683 vacancies and 787 internship opportunities, while 90 startup projects were evaluated by the jury panel. These figures are not accidental — they demonstrate the university’s real contribution to the labor market and innovation ecosystem.

University–Industry Cooperation: The Cornerstone of the Digital Economy

Head of the Mingachevir City Executive Authority Ilham Ismayilov emphasized the strategic importance of the summit for the city:

“Such events increase the economic dynamism of the region and broaden the career horizons of young people.”

Mujdat Hasanov, Head of Department at the State Agency for Science and Higher Education, described the rapprochement between universities and industry as a new stage in education. He noted that increasing applied knowledge and practical skills is possible only through such platforms.

The Executive Director of HBN Group, Tariyel Davlatov, one of the authors of the summit initiative, stated that the project was a natural result of education–business cooperation. ATIB Chairman Mursal Rustamov described the event as a symbol of deepening economic and academic relations between the two brotherly countries.

Partnerships, Agreements, and New Beginnings

Within the framework of the summit, MDU signed cooperation memorandums with several prestigious institutions, including the State Employment Agency (DMA), the Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Organizations Association, the Azerbaijan HR Institute, ASK, and the “Progress” Training and Education Center. These documents create a legal basis for concrete projects aimed at regional economic development, enhancement of digital skills, and youth employment.

The Career Fair organized jointly with DMA became one of the liveliest parts of the summit. More than 100 companies presented their areas of activity, held individual meetings with students, and gave young people the opportunity to demonstrate their skills. This also reflected the university’s integration into the open labor market.

Exhibition: A Union of Knowledge, Creativity, and Technology

The Career and Innovation Exhibition organized within the summit was among the most vibrant parts of the event. Stands representing various sectors created direct interaction between young people and the business world.

The joint stand of Bookzone, Dastan, and Kibu publishing houses attracted particular attention. Among the visitors were MDU students, teachers, and representatives of regional schools.

Bookzone Publishing Director Seymur Taghiyev expressed his satisfaction with the event:

“It is impossible to simply feel the energy of this summit — it must be experienced. The interest shown by young people in science and books made us very happy. We are planning to organize a large book exhibition for teachers and students at MDU in the near future. Our goal is to strengthen reading culture and bring new energy to the publishing industry in the region.”

According to him, the exhibition planned for the university library in the coming months will include both presentations of new publications and discussion sessions with teachers and students.

ASCA Representative: “Dialogue Between Education and Industry Is the Key to Development”

Associate Professor Gulnara Mammadova, Head of the “Lifelong Education, Career, and Alumni Affairs” Division of the Academic Department at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, evaluated the significance of the summit as follows:

“Such summits create real opportunities for students and graduates to move directly from education into the business world and build careers. The bridge established between universities and industry has already moved beyond ideas and started producing practical results. MDU’s initiative is shaping a new education–employment model in the regions.”

The Media Sector Also Took Center Stage

Representatives of the creative industry and media sector also participated in the event. EL Television and Qafqaz TV supported the summit through their information coverage stands.

EL Television Company Director Iqbal Mammadaliyev stated:

“We view this event not merely as a report, but as a development phenomenon. The active establishment of university–industry cooperation in the regions will positively influence the country’s future media and communication environment as well. As EL TV, we were pleased not only to cover the process but also to participate with our own stand and educate students.”

“This Summit Is Also a Path for Young People Returning to Karabakh”

Ingilab Shirinbeyli, a teacher from the Kalbajar school and head of the Kanal 32 website, highlighted the social and moral significance of the event:

“For me, this summit is not only an educational and career event but also a symbol of returning to Karabakh. The opportunities young people see here will allow them to return to their native lands in the future with innovative knowledge. Education is the foundation of independence, and MDU is the pillar of this foundation in the region.”

Innovation and Cambridge Success – MDU Teachers on the International Stage

One of the most notable moments at the end of the summit was related to the international achievements of MDU teachers. ITAC Examination Center Director and Cambridge exam coordinator Hasrat Shikhbabayev, together with Cambridge Resource Center coordinator and English teacher Lala Rustamova, spoke about the university’s recent accomplishments.

Lala Rustamova stated:

“This year, the teachers of Mingachevir State University achieved high results in the Cambridge Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) Module 1 examination and earned international certificates. This success is a real outcome of the cooperation established between MDU and ITAC. The next step is already clear — an English Language Competition based on Cambridge English Qualifications will be organized in Mingachevir and regional schools. This competition will provide school students with the opportunity to test their knowledge at the international level.”

Startup Ecosystem – Ideas Emerging from the Region

Within the framework of the “UniStartup” competition, young people from MDU and other regional universities presented nearly 90 innovative projects. These ideas were evaluated by experts from institutions such as SmartNation, HTEC-Invest, the Digital Development Agency, and Synergy Consulting. The energy and creative vision of the youth transformed the summit into not only a career platform but also a laboratory of development.

At the same time, master classes conducted by Ilkin Manafov, head of the “Mutfakchi” company, and Gulnara Ismayilova, Director of “Resource HUB” LLC, focused on the development of business and leadership skills among young people.

MDU – A University Shaping the Region’s Future

The “Regional University–Industry Cooperation Summit 2025” demonstrated that education should not exist only within classrooms but also at the center of social and economic processes. The summit once again transformed Mingachevir into the starting point of a bridge connecting the region with the global scientific and industrial space.

The gathering of young people, entrepreneurs, teachers, and universities on a single platform proved that the strongest investment of future Azerbaijan — human capital — is being formed.

The “Regional University–Industry Cooperation Summit” is the name of a new stage of development and the beginning of a path extending from the region to the global arena. In this direction, MDU is emerging not only as a center of science but also as a leading hub of industrial and innovation diplomacy.

The summit demonstrated that Azerbaijani education is now creating values recognized worldwide even in the regions. This initiative, launched on the banks of the Kura River in Mingachevir, is in fact further strengthening Azerbaijan’s place on the future economic, scientific, and social map of the world.