On December 03, 2026, a Capacity-Building Session on Kahrizes was held in the city of Ganja within the framework of the Concept Document titled “Promoting the Restoration of Kahrizes in Azerbaijan as an Enhanced Adaptation Measure to Water-Related Climate Change.”

The event was organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Azerbaijan Office in cooperation with the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency and with financial support from the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. The session, conducted in a master-class format, brought together students and young professionals from various higher education institutions.

Mingachevir State University was represented by Shabnam Islamova, a lecturer at the Department of Physics and Ecology of the Faculty of Engineering, along with students majoring in Environmental Engineering — Valeh Jalalov, Kamil Ismayilzade, Emin Niftaliyev, Laman Verdiyeva, and Ulviyya Mammadova. The university representatives actively participated in the session and were awarded certificates and commemorative gifts.

The main objective of the session was to enhance the knowledge and skills of future specialists in the field of kahriz restoration and management, and to promote practical approaches to the efficient and sustainable management of water resources. It was emphasized that kahrizes, as traditional water supply systems enabling the use of groundwater without additional energy consumption, are considered an important adaptation tool, particularly in the context of increasing climate change impacts.

Mingachevir State University’s active participation in this initiative aligns with its strategic priorities aimed at protecting water resources, strengthening climate change adaptation, enhancing environmental security, and promoting the principles of sustainable development.