A scientific meeting dedicated to the outcomes of research activities conducted in 2025 was held at Azerbaijan University. During the meeting, it was noted that the University’s scientific activities are organized in line with its strategic development plan and contemporary challenges, and information was presented on the results achieved in research and scholarly work.

Opening the meeting with a keynote address, the Rector of Azerbaijan University, PhD in Philology Saadat Aliyeva, highlighted significant events in the University’s life in 2025, major achievements, implemented innovations, and carried-out reforms. The Rector noted that the first graduation of the international dual-degree program in the MBA Marketing track, implemented jointly with the University of Tuscia in Italy, had taken place. In order to stimulate academic and teaching activities of the faculty, a differentiated remuneration system was introduced starting from the 2025/2026 academic year. Emphasizing support for lifelong learning, the Rector stated that the activities of the Training and Development Center had been enhanced and the training programs had become more systematic and targeted. In her address, Saadat Aliyeva also reviewed progress in the areas of internationalization and institutional development and presented strategic goals and priorities for the coming year. In conclusion, the Rector congratulated the University staff on December 31 - World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day - and the upcoming New Year, emphasizing that the contribution of every employee plays a vital role in the University’s achievements.

This was followed by a report delivered by the head of the Science Department, PhD in Math Latifa Agamalieva. The report addressed the University’s positions in international rankings and scientometric databases, scientific conferences and events held during the reporting year, the activities of academic journals, monographs, textbooks, and teaching aids published by University staff, international scientific cooperation, and related topics.

Latifa Agamaliyeva noted that Azerbaijan University continues to actively engage in the international academic environment, strengthening its position and advancing in global rankings. For the first time, Azerbaijan was represented by two mathematics-focused universities in the 2025 Shanghai Ranking, considered one of the world’s most prestigious rankings. Azerbaijan University was ranked in the 301-400 range, the highest result in the country. In addition, the University received a 4-star rating in the QS Stars audit conducted by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), one of the most reputable international evaluation and ranking agencies.

A delegation from Azerbaijan University participated in the QS Eurasia Forum 2025, held in November at the Central Asian University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where Rector Saadat

Aliyeva was awarded a certificate confirming the University’s 4-star QS Stars rating by QS President and Chairman of the Board Nunzio Quacquarelli.

In the current calendar year, Azerbaijan University has taken the lead in the global ScholarGPS® ranking and the Round University Ranking (RUR). The University is one of three higher education institutions representing the country on the ScholarGPS® global platform and holds second place overall. According to the overall indicators of the RUR ranking, Azerbaijan University ranks fourth nationwide, maintaining its position from the previous year.

The scientific report also provided detailed information on the University’s performance in scientometric databases. It was noted that Azerbaijan University’s Hirsch index in the Web of Science database increased to 39, compared to 34 in the previous year. A total of 77 articles authored by University staff were published in journals indexed in this database, receiving 1,260 citations. Among universities nationwide, Azerbaijan University ranks 5th by Hirsch index, 8th by number of articles, and 7th by number of citations.

According to the report, the University’s Hirsch index in the Scopus Database reached 42 in 2025, up from 37 in 2024. In 2025, 89 articles by University staff were published in Scopus-indexed journals, receiving 1,833 citations. Azerbaijan University ranks 5th nationwide in both indicators. In 2025, 1,833 citations were made to the articles of the University faculty in journals indexed in the aforementioned Database, placing Azerbaijan University in 6th place among the country’s universities in number of citations.

Latifa Agamalieva also reported that in the reporting year Azerbaijan University hosted two international and one national scientific conferences. The 8th National Scientific Conference of Young Researchers was held in March, featuring 201 presentations by master’s students, doctoral candidates, postgraduates, and young researchers from higher education institutions and research centers in Baku and the regions. The conference operated across eight sections. The conference operated across eight sections. The 2nd International Scientific Conference titled “Global Challenges and the Turkic World”, dedicated to the “Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty”, was held online in April, bringing together approximately 100 scholars, researchers, university lecturers, doctoral candidates, and master’s students from Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, and Russia. The 2nd International Conference titled “Social Work & Social Reserch”, organized and hosted by Azerbaijan University in partnership with the Social Research Center of Fırat University, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan University (Turkiye), was held in May. Dedicated to the “Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty”, the 2-day conference attracted significant international interest, receiving speaker applications from 21 countries and accepting around 100 papers, with sessions conducted across six sections.

The report also included information on international and local scientific conferences organized in 2025 jointly with the Science and Education Committee of the Milli Majlis, Termez University of Economics and Service (Uzbekistan), Dicle University (Turkiye), the University of Prishtina (Kosovo), and Azerbaijan University; scientific events, trainings, and seminars organized by the Science Department; scientific publications by University staff; international

research cooperation; the activities of the Student Scientific Society; the Scientific Library; and academic journals. It was noted that in 2025, by decision of the Academic Council of Azerbaijan University, the scientific journal Paradigma was established for master’s and doctoral students. The journal Social Issues was accepted for indexing in the ERIH PLUS database and included in the list of periodicals recommended by the Supreme Attestation Commission under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for publishing key dissertation results in philosophy and sociology. During the reporting year, the University faculty conducted joint research with scholars from more than 150 foreign universities and published co-authored scientific articles based on these collaborations.

The report also highlighted that Rector Saadat Aliyeva was awarded the title of Honorary Professor of Mamun University (Uzbekistan), while Rector’s Advisor and Director of the International Center for Master’s and Doctoral Studies, PhD in History, Assoc. Prof. Nushaba Guliyeva, and Head of the Department of Political and Social Sciences, PhD in Political Science, Assoc. Prof. Elvin Talishinsky, were awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of the same University. Nushaba Guliyeva was also awarded the “For achievements in youth education” medal by the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. Dean of the ICT Faculty Asif Pashayev received the “Exemplary engagement with the ICPC global community” award from the ICPC Foundation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the report of the Science Department was unanimously approved, and staff members distinguished by their scientific achievements during the reporting year were awarded. The Department of Political and Social Sciences was named “Department of the Year” for outstanding research performance of its staff. Professor of the Department of Translation and Philology, PhD in Philology Asif Hajyiev, was awarded an Honorary Decree of the Rector for his productive academic and pedagogical activity and 65th anniversary; Assoc. Prof. of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, PhD in Math Javanshir Kazimov, received an Honorary Decree for his productive academic activity and 75th anniversary; Assoc. Prof. of the Department of Political and Social Sciences, Doctor of Historical Sciences Shahismayil Ismayilov, was awarded an Honorary Decree for high scientific results in 2025; and head of the Department of Finance and Accounting, PhD in Economics, Assoc. Prof. Nariman Boyukkishi, was awarded an Honorary Decree for his productive scientific activity.

The Rector of the University, Saadat Aliyeva, presented the “Department of the Year” certificate and honorary diplomas to Assoc. Prof. Elvin Talishinsky, Head of the Department of Political and Social Sciences, PhD in Political Science. The Rector congratulated the award recipients and wished them continued success in their future endeavors.

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