On February 13, 2026, the “Forum on Quality, Sustainability, and Innovation in Education – 2026” was held, jointly organized by Mingachevir State University (MSU) and the Quality Assurance Agency in Education under the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The forum took place at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Mingachevir and brought together Ilham Ismayilov, Head of the Mingachevir City Executive Authority; Prof. Vilayat Valiyev, Rector of Azerbaijan Technical University; Rufat Azizov, Rector of Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University; Tural Ahmadov, Chairman of the Board of the Quality Assurance Agency in Education; city officials; school principals; specialists from teaching and quality assurance departments of 29 higher education institutions; faculty members; as well as representatives of more than 24 companies and professional organizations in the field of quality.

The main objective of the forum was to discuss current issues related to quality assurance in higher and vocational education, sustainable development, innovative approaches, international accreditation, and university–industry collaboration, as well as to facilitate the exchange of best practices.

Participants first laid flowers at the monument of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and honored his memory with deep respect. The memory of the National Leader and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan was commemorated with a minute of silence, followed by the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

An exhibition area featuring company and organizational stands was also arranged, where representatives presented information about their activities.

Within the framework of the forum, MSU signed Memorandums of Understanding and Cooperation with Abıyev & Partners, HS AZ (Holberton) LLC, the Quality Association Public Union, and the Azerbaijan Robotics Engineering Academy. These memorandums aim to strengthen university–industry integration, expand practice-oriented education, certification and career opportunities for students, and establish innovative and sustainable cooperation mechanisms in artificial intelligence, programming, robotics, and project management.

In his opening speech, Ilham Ismayilov emphasized that improving the quality of education is one of the main priorities of state policy and highlighted the importance of cooperation between higher education institutions, public authorities, and the private sector. He underscored MSU’s role in shaping the region’s scientific and intellectual potential and expressed confidence that the forum would stimulate new collaborations and practical initiatives.

Rector Anar Eminov noted that holding the forum represents a logical continuation of the university’s systematic reforms in quality, sustainability, and innovation. He stated that more than 500 applications were received for participation and that representatives from 29 higher education institutions, 36 general and vocational education institutions, and over 24 companies and organizations took part. He expressed confidence that discussions on university–industry cooperation, sustainable development goals, quality assurance mechanisms, and innovative approaches would yield significant outcomes.

Tural Ahmadov commended MSU for hosting such a comprehensive forum and emphasized its importance as a platform for promoting a culture of quality, sustainable development approaches, and innovative practices among higher education institutions.

Other keynote speakers included Prof. Vilayat Valiyev, who stressed the importance of close integration between engineering education and industry; Rufat Azizov, who highlighted the decisive role of quality assurance and innovation in training specialists in the energy and engineering sectors; and Rauf Jabbarov, Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Organizations Association, who underlined the growing importance of cybersecurity in the digital transformation era.

The official part concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation and awards to partners and contributors.

The forum continued with three panel sessions:

• “From Education to Production: Sustainable University–Industry Collaboration”
• “International Accreditation and Sustainable Quality Assurance: Transition to Global Standards”
• “Quality and Sustainability in Higher Education: Global Trends”

Each panel featured expert speakers from universities, government agencies, and industry, followed by active discussions and Q&A sessions.

The event also included a workshop titled “AI-Powered Education: Enhancing Quality and Sustainable Innovation”, focusing on integrating artificial intelligence technologies into teaching and quality assurance processes.

In their closing remarks, Rector Anar Eminov and Tural Ahmadov emphasized that the discussions and proposals put forward during the forum would make a tangible contribution to improving quality in higher education. They highlighted the forum as a successful platform for cooperation, dialogue, and experience exchange and officially declared the event closed.

The forum was widely recognized as an important platform for expanding sustainable collaboration between higher education institutions, public authorities, and industry, strengthening a culture of quality, and promoting innovative approaches.