International Scientific-Practical Conference Dedicated to the 103rd Anniversary of the Birth of National Leader Heydar Aliyev Held at Baku Business University

On April 29, an international scientific-practical conference titled “New Models of State–University–Industry Partnership in Socio-Economic Development”, dedicated to the 103rd anniversary of the birth of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, was held at Baku Business University.

The conference was attended by members of the Milli Majlis, including Academician Ziyad Samadzadeh, Mr. Tahir Rzayev, Mr. Vugar Rahimzadeh, First Deputy Head of the State Service for Special Communication and Information Security of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Yashar Amashov, Head of Department Mr. Azer Ahadov, Chairman of the Yasamal District Organization of the New Azerbaijan Party Mr. Bakhtiyar Nabiyev, First Deputy Head of the Yasamal District Executive Authority Mr. Huseyn Afandiyev, Chairman of the Board of the Education Development Fund Mr. Nijat Mammadli, authorized representative of the State Examination Center Azer Baghirov, Advisor to the President of SOCAR Mr. Suleyman Gasimov, Vice-Rector of the Azerbaijan State University of Economics Mr. Shaiq Asgarov, Head of the “Finance and Audit” Department Mr. Avaz Alakbarov, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication Mr. Ramil Huseyn, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the National Observatory on Labor Market and Social Protection Issues Mr. Elchin Suleymanov, Director of Marsol Group Bilal Gasimli, as well as representatives of state institutions and researchers from leading universities of six foreign countries — Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Romania, Moldova, Lithuania, and India.

Prior to the event, participants visited the bust of National Leader Heydar Aliyev at Baku Business University, laid flowers, and honored his memory. The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed, followed by a minute of silence in memory of Heydar Aliyev and the sons of the nation who sacrificed their lives for independence and territorial integrity.

Opening the event, Rector of Baku Business University, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Ibad Abbasov, emphasized that the conference is of particular importance in terms of integrating science, education, and industry in the modern era. He noted that effective cooperation between the state, universities, and industry is a key condition for ensuring sustainable development in the context of globalization. The Rector highlighted that the strategic development path defined by Heydar Aliyev is successfully continued today by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, with a focus on human capital development, innovation, and strengthening the scientific potential of higher education institutions.

“As Baku Business University, we strive to ensure that research results are applied in practice, cooperation with business and industry is expanded, and specialists capable of meeting modern challenges are trained,” the Rector added.

Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Union of Economists of Azerbaijan, Academician Ziyad Samadzadeh, noted that global economic transformations, the rapid spread of technological innovations, and increasing competition pose new challenges for developing countries, making it necessary to adopt a knowledge- and innovation-based development model. He emphasized that state–university–industry cooperation is a key mechanism for economic modernization, practical application of scientific results, and the formation of competitive human capital. According to him, improving institutional mechanisms, expanding applied research, and aligning education programs with labor market demands are essential for enhancing the effectiveness of such cooperation.

Chairman of the Board of the Education Development Fund Nijat Mammadli stated that the rapid development of artificial intelligence necessitates new approaches in the education system, affecting its content, management mechanisms, and learning models. He stressed that cooperation between the state, private sector, and technological environment plays a crucial role in building a flexible, innovative, and sustainable education system, while the main goal remains the development of high-quality human capital.

Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Auditors for Digitalization, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity Goshgar Ahmadov noted that the rapid development of digitalization and AI technologies requires updating approaches in accounting and auditing. He emphasized that these changes expand the field beyond traditional accounting, making it a strategic area for risk management, analytics, and decision-making support, and highlighted the importance of modern approaches in personnel training.

Subsequently, representatives from international institutions, including Vilma Abdrasiene (Utena University of Applied Sciences, Lithuania), Eugenia Ramona Mara (Babeș-Bolyai University, Romania), Tatyana Qutium (Institute of Economic Research, Moldova), Muhammadjonov Casurbek (Kokand University, Uzbekistan), and Dr. Fikret Sözbilir and Dr. Berçem Yaman (Artvin Çoruh University, Türkiye), emphasized the importance of state–university–industry cooperation in the development of education, economy, energy sustainability, and innovation ecosystems.

Following the plenary session, the conference continued with panel sessions, where participants held extensive discussions on enhancing the effectiveness of state–university–industry cooperation.