The Trade Union Committee (TUC) and the Student Trade Union Committee (STUC) jointly organized an event called “Spring is Coming to Our Country” at Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU). First, the stands prepared by the faculties and student organizations on the occasion of the Novruz holiday were reviewed. The event began with a minute of silence in memory of the sons of the Motherland who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our lands and the playing of the National Anthem of Azerbaijan. Expressing his congratulations on the occasion of the Novruz holiday, AzTU Rector Vilayat Valiyev spoke about the traditions of this dear holiday, which is considered a symbol of unity and solidarity. Stating that Novruz, which heralds the arrival of spring, is celebrated solemnly every year in Azerbaijan, the Rector emphasized the importance of these events in terms of passing on our ancient customs and traditions to future generations. Then, letters of appreciation were presented to students who demonstrated active participation in the university’s social and public life. After the official part, the event continued with a concert program.

An infotour was organized for applicants of the “Master School” educational center to Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU). First, applicants got acquainted with the faculties of AzTU. Here, they were informed about the specialties of the faculty and were presented with the teaching classrooms. Applicants also got acquainted with the work done in laboratories and workshops and the research conducted. As part of the infotour, a coffee and tea table was organized for applicants. Then, the rector of AzTU met with applicants. The rector provided information about the work done at AzTU, innovations carried out in the direction of personnel training in accordance with the requirements of the labor market, university-industry cooperation and international relations. It should be noted that the infotour of applicants to AzTU will be continued regularly.

As a generalized result of long-term institutional reforms based on the experiences of leading international universities (mainly RWTH Aachen, ICL, MIT, METU and ITU), a new hybrid academic management model has been implemented at Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU) by the decision of the University’s Scientific Council. Within the framework of this model: (1) ownership and management of undergraduate education programs belongs to the faculties; (2) academic ownership and management of master’s and doctoral programs is the Higher Education Institute (HEI); (3) coordination of research activities is carried out through Research Institutes (RI) established on specialty clusters; (4) the main implementation unit of teaching and research activities is the departments organized on the basis of the “Academic Department” model. The new model is based on the Faculty – HEI – Department – ​​RI structure and will serve for more efficient organization of teaching and research activities at the university, especially the development of research-oriented education, expansion of multidisciplinary scientific cooperation, strengthening of industry-university cooperation and increasing international research projects. The new academic model introduces the Principal Investigator (PI)-based research group system for the first time. This system allows for the development of the scientific activities of professors and researchers, an increase in grant projects, and the training of young researchers. This reform is considered an important stage in the transformation strategy of AzTU into a research university.

Teachers and students of the Department of Chemical Technology, Recycling and Ecology of Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU) conducted field research on the coast of the Caspian Sea within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal SDG 14 – Life Below Water. The visit aimed to strengthen practical knowledge related to the protection of marine and ocean ecosystems, reduction of marine pollution, and conservation of underwater biodiversity. During the research, students collected water samples from different points of the Caspian Sea coastline. The collected samples were analyzed in laboratory conditions to assess water quality, determine the level of marine pollution, study the ecological condition of the aquatic environment, and evaluate the health of marine ecosystems. The fieldwork provided students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in important areas such as marine water quality monitoring, identification of marine pollution, protection of coastal ecosystems, conservation of underwater biodiversity, sustainable use of marine resources, and environmental monitoring. These activities are directly linked to the key priorities of SDG 14, including the protection of seas and oceans, conservation of life below water, restoration of marine ecosystems, reduction of anthropogenic pollution, and sustainable management of marine resources. Such field studies play an important role in developing students’ knowledge and skills in marine environmental protection, sustainability of marine ecosystems, conservation of underwater biodiversity, and addressing global environmental challenges.

International students from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Japan, Somalia, China, Türkiye, and India recently gathered at Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU) for a dialogue focused on the university's efforts to address discrimination and promote inclusion within the campus community. The meeting served as a platform for students to share their experiences and discuss the concrete measures AzTU has implemented to support its diverse international student body. Participants engaged in a constructive exchange about the university's ongoing initiatives aimed at creating a more equitable environment for foreign learners. During the discussion, students highlighted several institutional measures introduced by AzTU. These include dedicated support services for international students, improved access to information regarding student rights and university regulations, and language assistance programs designed to help non-native speakers navigate their studies more effectively. Students also noted the university's efforts to facilitate cultural integration through orientation programs and social activities that bring domestic and international students together. Throughout the gathering, students used stickers featuring various symbols and messages to express their ideas visually. These creative tools helped participants communicate complex thoughts about inclusion, belonging, and the changes they would like to see within the university environment. The dialogue allowed students to provide feedback on these initiatives, offering perspectives on what is working well and where further improvements could be made. Participants discussed the importance of clear communication channels between international students and university administration, as well as the need for greater awareness among faculty and staff about the specific challenges faced by foreign learners. Students emphasized that reducing inequalities within higher education requires not only institutional policies but also a cultural shift toward greater empathy and understanding. They noted that equal opportunity for all learners, regardless of their country of origin, is fundamental to creating a just academic environment. The group affirmed that empowering international students to participate fully in university life benefits the entire campus community by enriching it with diverse perspectives and experiences. The event concluded with a shared recognition that fostering an inclusive campus requires ongoing dialogue and collaboration between students and administration.

Mobile operator Nar launched a series of training programs aimed at supporting the development of professional talent for Azerbaijan’s local labor market. The initiative, organized for students of Nar’s partner universities, started at Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU). The training program, prepared by Nar’s Human Resources Department, provides students of technical disciplines with insights into career opportunities in the telecommunications sector, recruitment processes, and the practical skills required in real professional environments. The training will be conducted in two stages during the semester, involving 40 participants in total. Prior to the start of the training sessions, Nar CEO Ozgur Genc met with the students. During the meeting, he highlighted the growing importance of technical professions in today’s world and noted that the demand for skilled specialists in this field is higher than ever. Nar actively collaborates with universities both in the capital and across the regions of Azerbaijan to support the development of professional talent for the telecommunications industry. Within this framework, the company continuously implements projects aimed at strengthening students’ knowledge and professional competencies.

Azərbaycan Texniki Universitetinin (AzTU) Özbəkistanın Əndican Dövlət Texniki İnstitutu (ƏDTİ) ilə əməkdaşlığı çərçivəsində ƏDTİ-nin Dillər və humanitar elmlər kafedrasının professor-müəllim heyəti mübadilə proqramı ilə AzTU-nun qonağı olub. Qonaqlar AzTU-nun Xarici dillər kafedrasının tədris prosesi ilə tanış olub, professor müəllim heyəti ilə görüş keçirib. Görüş zamanı Xarici dillər kafedrasının müdiri professor Səbinə Alməmmədova tədris, tədqiqat, akademik mübadilə, birgə tədbirlərin keçirilməsi imkanlarını qonaqların diqqətinə çatdırıb, sözügedən məsələlər ətrafında fikir mübadiləsi aparılıb. 

Azərbaycan Texniki Universitetində (AzTU) Dayanıqlı İnkişaf Məqsədlərinin müxtəlif istiqamətlərinə (SDG 1 – Yoxsulluğa son, SDG 2 – Aclığa son və SDG 8 – Layiqli əmək və iqtisadi artım istiqamətlər) həsr olunmuş dəyirmi masa təşkil olunub. Tədbirdə universitetin əməkdaşları və tələbələri ilə yanaşı, Əmək və Əhalinin Sosial Müdafiəsi Nazirliyi yanında İctimai Şuranın sədri professor Elşad Məmmədov və şuranın üzvü, iqtisadçı-ekspert Aslan Əzimzadə iştirak ediblər. Universitetin Kommunikasiya şöbəsinin əməkdaşı Mehti Namazov bildirib ki, AzTU innovasiya, təhsil və elmi tədqiqatlar vasitəsilə Dayanıqlı İnkişaf Məqsədlərinin reallaşdırılmasına töhfə vermək üçün müxtəlif tədbirlər həyata keçirir. O qeyd edib ki, bu istiqamətdə həyata keçirilən tədbirlər universitetdə sosial məsuliyyət və dayanıqlı inkişaf prinsiplərinin təşviqinə xidmət edir. Daha sonra çıxış edən iqtisadçı-ekspert Aslan Əzimzadə SDG 1, SDG 2 və SDG 8 məqsədlərinin bir-biri ilə sıx bağlı olduğunu vurğulayıb. Onun sözlərinə görə, yoxsulluğun azaldılması və ərzaq təhlükəsizliyinin təmin olunması üçün əsas şərtlərdən biri davamlı və inklüziv iqtisadi artımın formalaşdırılmasıdır. Ekspert bildirib ki, iqtisadiyyatın real sektoruna yönələn investisiyalar kənd təsərrüfatı və istehsal sahələrində məhsuldarlığın artırılmasına, yeni iş yerlərinin yaradılmasına və sosial rifahın yüksəlməsinə mühüm təsir göstərir. Dəyirmi masa çərçivəsində iştirakçılar arasında geniş müzakirələr aparılıb. Müzakirələr zamanı Dayanıqlı İnkişaf Məqsədlərinin həyata keçirilməsində ali təhsil müəssisələrinin rolu, əmək bazarının tələblərinə uyğun kadr hazırlığının əhəmiyyəti və gənclərin iqtisadi inkişaf proseslərinə fəal cəlb olunmasının vacibliyi vurğulanıb. Qeyd olunub ki, universitetlər yalnız təhsil verməklə kifayətlənməməlidir. Ali təhsil müəssisələr həmçinin innovativ ideyaların formalaşmasına, sahibkarlığın təşviqinə və sosial problemlərin həllinə töhfə verən platforma rolunu da oynayırlar. Tədbirdə tələbələrin sualları cavablandırılıb, xüsusilə gənclərin məşğulluq imkanlarının artırılması, startap fəaliyyətinin təşviqi və iqtisadi inkişafda innovasiyaların rolu ilə bağlı fikir mübadiləsi aparılıb. Sonda iştirakçılar Dayanıqlı İnkişaf Məqsədlərinin həyata keçirilməsində dövlət qurumları, akademik mühit və cəmiyyət arasında əməkdaşlığın gücləndirilməsinin vacibliyini qeyd ediblər.

A republican conference on the topic "Scientific and practical problems of ensuring the state's cyber sovereignty" was held at the ETN Information Technologies Institute, jointly organized by the Institute of Information Technologies of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Heydar Aliyev Academy of the State Security Service, Azerbaijan Technical University and the Association of Cybersecurity Organizations of Azerbaijan. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Vice-President of ANAS, Director General of the ETN Information Technologies Institute, Academician Rasim Alguliyev, noted that in recent years, cybersecurity and cyber sovereignty issues have become one of the priority directions of state policy in the direction of accelerating digital transformation processes in our country, and in this regard, he emphasized that the conference is dedicated to discussing the scientific, theoretical and practical problems of ensuring the state's cyber sovereignty, solutions, existing approaches and results of conducted research. He noted that the adoption of the “Digital Development Concept in the Republic of Azerbaijan”, the “Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025-2028”, as well as the definition of a unified action plan for the “New Digital Architecture of Azerbaijan” have further increased the relevance of scientifically based approaches and institutional cooperation in this area. Delivering a comprehensive report on the topic “Sustainable and secure digital architecture is the guarantee of the state’s cyber sovereignty”, the academician noted that the topic was dedicated to the need to form a new digital architecture in Azerbaijan and the development of its scientific and technological foundations in the context of global technological challenges. In his speech, Elshad Nasirov, Head of the Heydar Aliyev Academy of the State Security Service, approached the issue of cyber sovereignty from the perspective of national security and state interests, and said that the rapid development of digital technologies in modern times forms new challenges and requirements for the sovereignty of states. According to him, cyberspace has become not only a technological sphere, but also an important strategic environment that affects political, economic, social and cultural processes. Therefore, the protection of cyber sovereignty of states is of particular importance as an integral part of national security. Noting that important steps have been taken in the country under the leadership of the Head of State, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, towards digital state building, application of artificial intelligence technologies and digitalization of society, the speaker drew attention to the fact that strengthening the cybersecurity and cyber sovereignty of our country against the background of these processes is one of the main tasks ahead, and expressed his confidence that such scientific conferences will play an important role in discussing current problems related to cyber sovereignty and formulating new approaches. During his speech at the event, Davud Rustamov, Head of the National Cybersecurity Center of the State Security Service, provided detailed information about the main areas of activity of the Center, areas identified as critical information infrastructure, and regulatory and legal mechanisms formed in this area. Touching upon the importance of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated April 17, 2021 “On Some Measures in the Field of Ensuring the Security of Critical Information Infrastructure”, he noted that it was based on this document that the formation of a unified and systematic cybersecurity ecosystem in the country began. The speaker, who drew attention to the fact that cybersecurity has become one of the main pillars of state security, emphasized that the topic of the conference is of great relevance and strategic importance in the modern era. Speaking at the event, Professor Vilayat Valiyev, Rector of Azerbaijan Technical University, said that cyber sovereignty is one of the most important elements of the sovereignty of states in the 21st century. Speaking about the need to form highly qualified personnel potential in order to ensure cyber sovereignty, the rector noted that higher education institutions have a great responsibility in this area, and that the preparation of a new generation of specialists who can contribute to digital transformation processes is of great importance for the country's cybersecurity and technological development. The event was also addressed by Tural Mammadov, Deputy Head of the Main Department of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security, Rauf Jabarov, Executive Director of the Association of Cybersecurity Organizations of Azerbaijan, as well as Osman Gunduz, President of the Internet Development Forum in Azerbaijan, Director of the Multimedia Center. The speeches emphasized that strengthening the protection of state information systems is one of the main directions of cyber sovereignty, and that the fight against risks and threats arising in cyberspace requires cooperation between state agencies, the scientific community and civil society. It was noted that against the backdrop of digital transformation and the rapid development of artificial intelligence, the protection of cyber sovereignty is of particular relevance as one of the pillars of national security, and consistent measures are being taken in this area in the country. Then, academician Rasim Alguliyev highly appreciated the ideas and opinions of the scientists and specialists, representatives of state agencies and civil society who spoke at the event, reflecting the current challenges related to ensuring cybersecurity, and at the end of his speech, he expressed deep gratitude to the leadership of the Ministry of Science and Education, the State Security Service, the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security, as well as representatives of the civil society sector for their support in organizing the event. Then, the conference continued its work with section meetings.

At Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU), a recycling initiative aimed at combating climate change and reducing carbon emissions was carried out with the participation of students and academic staff. The activity was organized by the Department of Chemical Technology, Recycling and Ecology and implemented within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal SDG 13 – Climate Action. Within the initiative, different types of waste generated on campus were collected and separated for recycling. Materials such as paper, plastic, and other recyclable waste were directed to recycling processes, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions, efficient use of natural resources, and minimization of environmental pollution. The activity helped raise awareness among students and academic staff about climate change mitigation, sustainable resource management, low-carbon development, and circular economy principles. Recycling practices play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering the carbon footprint, and supporting environmentally responsible consumption and production patterns. This initiative also contributed to strengthening environmental responsibility within the university community and promoting practical climate action. Through such activities, students gain hands-on experience in sustainability practices and develop a deeper understanding of global environmental challenges related to climate change, carbon emission reduction, waste management, and sustainable development, which are key priorities of SDG 13 – Climate Action.