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.