On December 22, Elnur Nasibov, the Chairman of the Board of the Education Development Fund, and Rasul Hashimov, the project manager, met with the academic staff of the Sumgait State University, as well as the students at the Heydar Aliyev Center of Sumgait State University.

The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss potential opportunities for mutual acquaintance and collaboration between both institutions. Rufat Azizov spoke about the programs implemented by the Fund for the development of education and the particular importance the state attaches to the development of education. He emphasized that one of the main priorities of state policy is the development of education.

The rector provided information about the direction of activities, innovations, and future priorities of SSU. He said that every scientific and educational institution has specific goals. During these years, Sumgayit State University has undergone significant development and has made critical achievements in training specialists for Sumgait city and region, the country’s industrial center. Today, it is taking successful steps toward training professional personnel.

The rector also noted that SSU is taking successful steps toward expanding university-industry relations and creating these relations is very important in establishing cooperation. Organization of meetings in this direction is also an essential factor. The rector advised teachers and students to take advantage of the projects implemented by the Education Development Fund.

Elnur Nasibov, Chairman of the Board of Education Development Fund, expressed his gratitude to the university management for the invitation. He said that innovation and scientific research are necessary in higher education institutions. For this reason, universities should plan their working mechanisms according to the requirements of the time. In higher educational institutions, joint activities to update the teaching content and cooperation in scientific research projects should be carried out.

Then, the chairman made a presentation about the projects of the Education Development Fund and gave detailed information about the establishment of the Fund, its goals, mission, implemented projects, and scholarship programs. He stated that the activities of the Education Development Fund established under the Ministry of Science and Education by the relevant decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, cover all levels of education except vocational education. Five main strategic directions of action related to higher education institutions were determined in a short period. Implementation of academic mobility programs, institutional development of higher education institutions, preparation of scientific journals, publications, and textbooks, participation in the development of university-industry cooperation support for the development of students of higher education institutions, and other issues are covered in the strategic directions of action.

The chairman mentioned that there are some significant projects ahead. He also emphasized that these projects will inspire students to engage in scientific and innovative pursuits and take a prominent role in science.

During the meeting, participants discussed the university’s strategic goals, industry-university collaboration, expanding students’ career opportunities, and developing English-speaking skills for teachers and students. Elnur Nasibov thoroughly addressed the participants’ proposals and answered their inquiries.

In the end, Rector Rufat Azizov expressed his gratitude to the management of the Education Development Fund for the cordial reception and their support of forthcoming projects.