On February 3, 2026, a delegation led by the Rector of Mingachevir State University (MSU), Anar Eminov, visited the National Observatory on Labor Market and Social Protection Issues operating under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Within the framework of the meeting, the delegation of MSU was welcomed by a delegation headed by Elnur Safarli, Chairman of the Board of the National Observatory. During the meeting, discussions were held on strengthening the links between higher education and the labor market, expanding scientific research and analytical activities, and developing the practical skills of young people.

Speaking about the importance of the cooperation, Anar Eminov stated that the Memorandum would make a significant contribution to aligning the university’s scientific potential with the real demands of the labor market, enhancing students’ practical knowledge and skills, and scientifically analyzing socio-economic processes in the region. The Rector emphasized that the cooperation established with the National Observatory would create opportunities for MSU’s educational, research, and innovation activities to advance to a qualitatively new stage.

In his speech, Elnur Safarli highlighted that cooperation with higher education institutions is of particular importance in terms of monitoring the labor market, analyzing social welfare indicators, and forming data-driven decision-making mechanisms. He noted that the joint research, monitoring, and training activities to be implemented with MSU would contribute both to the career development of young people and to a deeper study of the regional labor market.

At the end of the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Mingachevir State University and the National Observatory on Labor Market and Social Protection Issues to foster cooperation in the fields of labor market, social protection, scientific research, training, and analytical activities.

The main purpose of the Memorandum is to jointly carry out scientific research, monitoring, analytical, and forecasting activities in the fields of labor market and social protection, support the development of students’ practical knowledge and skills, study employment and social welfare indicators in the region, and strengthen the institutional capacities of both institutions.

The document identifies the main areas of cooperation as scientific research and analytics, monitoring and survey activities, internship and career development, training and innovation, as well as strategic cooperation and project implementation.

In addition, in order to ensure the implementation of the tasks arising from the Memorandum, a Joint Action Plan for 2026 was also signed between Mingachevir State University and the National Observatory. The Joint Action Plan envisages organizing trainings and lectures, implementing info tours and internship programs for students, holding joint seminars and round tables, and informing the public about the activities carried out.

It should be noted that the signed documents will create a legal and institutional basis for long-term and systematic cooperation between the parties and will contribute to further strengthening the links between education and the labor market.