A star from every faculty: Azerbaijan University announces its first “Star Students”

In recent years, Azerbaijan University, which continues to expand its international partnerships, effectively foster cooperation with prestigious universities worldwide, and implement significant research innovations while maintaining strong positions in international rankings, has also distinguished itself through new opportunities it creates for its students. By a decision of the University’s Academic Council, a new initiative titled “Star Student” was launched starting from the fall semester of the 2025/2026 academic year.

According to the decision of the Academic Council, the “Star Student” project is aimed at increasing students’ engagement in academic and extracurricular activities, identifying and supporting exceptional talent, reinforcing the University’s social responsibility, and contributing to students’ overall well-being. A jury of at least five members, approved by the Rector’s order and including one representative from each faculty, selects students at the end of each examination session based on their semester performance where the evaluation criteria include their academic achievement, research activity, civic engagement, special skills, leadership and representational abilities, foreign language proficiency, digital literacy, discipline, and exemplary behavior. The project applies to undergraduate students.

The jury has already announced the first “Star Students” of the initiative. The inaugural awardees are Lamiya Mammadzada - Faculty of Business and Economics, Aynur Guliyeva - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Yunis Badalov - Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies. Lamiya Mammadzada is a 4th-year Marketing student, Aynur Guliyeva is a 3rd-year Translation (English) student, and Yunis Badalov is a 4th-year Information Security student. Fall semester Star Students status is valid for five months, during which they will each receive a monthly scholarship of 100 AZN. 

Lamiya Mammadzada, the star of the Faculty of Business and Economics, has a GPA of 96.43. She has participated in various professional and personal development trainings, earning multiple certificates. She completed a three-month internship at “Qafqaz” Independent TV and Radio Company. Lamiya also took part in the COP29 Simulation project implemented jointly by Azerbaijan University and the Social Research Center, where was awarded a certificate. Her foreign language proficiency and digital skills are at a high level, and she consistently demonstrates exemplary discipline. 

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Star is Aynur Guliyeva, she has a GPA of 97.4. Aynur actively participates in academic events and student conferences both in Azerbaijan and abroad and holds several certificates of participation. She is the author of two theses and is currently working on the translation of a book. Her language skills, digital literacy, and presentation abilities are advanced. Aynur has attended multiple personal development trainings and webinars, and regularly participates in competitions, intellectual games, and literary-art evenings organized by the University, earning diplomas and certificates for outstanding performance. Her foreign language proficiency and digital skills are at a high level, and she consistently demonstrates exemplary discipline.  

Yunis Badalov, the Faculty of ICT Star, has a GPA of 92.1. He played an active role in developing the design of the AUTEC mobile application, now available on Play Market. He possesses a high level of technical expertise and has participated in various cybersecurity competitions. Yunis represents the University at both international and local programming contests. In 2023, he received a certificate for outstanding results in the semifinals of the 48th International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC). He also took second place in the Programming Olympiad dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, organized by Azerbaijan University, where was awarded the corresponding certificate. Yunis is actively involved in IT projects at the University, usually taking on technical implementation tasks, and is known for his excellent language and presentation skills as well as his consistent discipline.

Application process for the “Star Student” Project 

Applications for participation in the “Star Student” project are announced immediately after the end of the examination session of each academic semester. Students must submit their applications and supporting documents to the dean office of their respective faculty within five (5) working days. 

From the pool of submitted applications, the dean office selects the three candidates with the highest scores based on the criteria outlined below and submits their names to the Jury within five (5) working days. 

Before the start of the next semester, the jury evaluates the candidates submitted by the dean offices, and the final list of selected students is approved by the Rector’s order. 

Selection criteria and principles for “Star Students” 

“Star Students” are selected by a Jury formed specifically for this Project and approved by the Rector’s order, in accordance with the principles of simple majority voting, fairness, and impartiality. Candidates are evaluated on a 100-point scale according to the following criteria: 

Academic performance - 30 points (GPA of 81+ for the completed semester, no repeated courses or academic arrears);

Scientific activity - 20 points (presentation at an international conference and publication of an article - 10 points; presentation at a local conference and publication of an article (thesis) - 5 points; active participation in SSS and other research groups - 5 points);

Civic engagement, special skills, representation and leadership qualities - 20 points (exceptional activity, initiative, and responsibility in community work, participation in volunteering and charitable initiatives, achievements in arts or sports, and other forms of outstanding extracurricular involvement);

Foreign language proficiency and digital skills - 20 points (participation in skill-enhancing training beyond the University’s core curriculum, international internships, or possession of relevant international certificates, such as IELTS score of 6.0–6.5 – 5; 7.0+ – 10, TOEFL score of 80–90 – 5; 91+ – 10,  etc, as well as the ICT certificate);

Discipline and exemplary conduct - 10 points (adherence to University disciplinary regulations, refraining from actions that may harm the University’s reputation or contradict its moral values, and gaining respect among faculty members and students, etc).

In the event of a tie between candidates with identical scores, the following tie-breaking procedure is applied: 

Preference is given to the candidate with the higher academic performance (based on GPA).

If the GPA is the same, preference is given to the candidate with the higher scientific activity score.

If both scores are equal, the final decision is made by Jury.

Public Relations Department