On April 2, 2026, Mingachevir State University (MSU) held a presentation ceremony for the “Research Topic Pool Platform.” The event, hosted at “Azerbaijan IES” LLC, was attended by MSU Rector Anar Eminov, the administrative staff of the station, MSU’s academic and administrative personnel, as well as representatives from the labor market and industry.

Mingachevir State University has taken another pioneering step by implementing the approach of Turkey’s Middle East Technical University (METU/ODTU), linking master’s dissertations directly with the real sector and giving them a practical focus.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rector Anar Eminov highlighted the platform’s significance for university–industry integration. He noted that this innovative approach supports students in developing not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills for solving real-world sectoral challenges. Rector Eminov emphasized the crucial role of Ege University’s experience in the platform’s creation and expressed gratitude to the leadership of Middle East Technical University for their support.

The Rector further explained the platform’s functional capabilities, noting that the “Research Topic Pool Platform” allows master’s students to select research topics based on the actual needs of industry and government institutions. Students can manage their research activities within a unified digital environment and systematically track all stages of the dissertation process – from planning to defense. The platform also provides tools for plagiarism checking, monitoring academic-practical experience, and accessing defense schedules.

It was emphasized that this model, implemented for the first time in Azerbaijan, integrates education, science, and industry on a single platform, transforming dissertations into applied projects.

Speakers at the event highlighted that the platform collects current problems presented by industry partners and government institutions into a centralized database, making them accessible to master’s students. This ensures that research topics are aligned with real economic and social needs.

The ceremony also marked the introduction of a new model for preparing master’s dissertations at MSU. Under the new methodology, dissertations are developed not only as academic research projects but also as applied projects. Topics are determined based on real problems presented by university structures, industrial enterprises, and government institutions.

Under this model, students employ modern scientific methods, including analytical, econometric, and digital tools, work with real data, and produce results with practical applicability. The new rules regulate all stages of the dissertation process – topic selection, research execution, monitoring, preliminary and final defense, as well as the systematic submission of results to industry.

It was noted that the first contribution to the platform came from Turkey’s Middle East Technical University, which provided five practical research topics and assigned academic supervisors. METU’s Vice Rector, Prof. Ömer Delialioğlu, along with other scholars, served as supervisors for these topics.

Additionally, Ege University and Huawei provided significant support in the platform’s development.

Important steps have also been taken to digitize research activities. Alongside the “Research Topic Pool Platform,” MSU launched a dedicated research portal – research.mdu.edu.az. Through this portal, topic selection, coordination with academic supervisors, monitoring of research processes, and sharing of results are carried out in a unified digital environment.

The preparation and implementation of the new model are carried out by two key MSU research structures – the Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies and the Institute of Sustainable Energy and Regional Development. These institutes serve as the main executing and coordinating centers for forming dissertation topics, applying modern methods, managing digital platforms, and establishing industry links.

The Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies ensures the integration of AI-based analysis methods and innovative technologies into the research process, while the Institute of Sustainable Energy and Regional Development contributes to linking projects with regional development, energy efficiency, and sustainable economic models.

Finally, participants closely examined the platform’s functionalities and engaged in discussions about its implementation and future development prospects. It was noted that this model will significantly strengthen systematic and sustainable collaboration between higher education and industry, enhance the practical orientation of scientific research, and facilitate the integration of innovative ideas into the real sector.