An event on the final scientific report of 2024 was held at Nakhchivan State University
At the beginning of the final scientific report, an exhibition of scientific works published in 2024 by university employees, graduate students, doctoral students and students was viewed in the Scientific Library. Monographs published in 2024, textbooks and teaching aids, program and methodical materials, articles published in foreign and local journals with a high impact factor, materials of international and republican conferences, training certificates were presented separately for each faculty. Also, the works dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in 2024 attracted special attention at the exhibition.
The rector of the university, Elbrus Isayev, who opened the event with an introductory speech, gave extensive information about the directions of scientific activity in 2024, the goals set and the works carried out in accordance with these goals. The Rector noted that in 2024, Nakhchivan State University has taken significant steps towards strengthening its scientific potential, developing international scientific relations and applying modern research methods. During the year, the increase in the number of articles published by the university employees in high impact factor journals, the expansion of participation in international conferences and the promotion of the activities of young researchers are a visible indicator of the work done in this direction. Elbrus Isayev, as well as improving the quality of education, integrating scientific achievements into teaching and applying scientific activity to production stressed that it is one of the main priorities. The Rector noted that the projects implemented in 2024 contributed not only to the university, but also to the scientific development of the region and world science.
Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation of Nakhchivan State University Elsever Asadov In 2024, he presented a comprehensive report on the goals of the university's scientific activity and the results achieved. It was reported that the scientific activity was organized based on the scientific research strategy of the university and the decisions of the Scientific Council. In this framework, the scientific activities of the employees were analyzed and evaluated based on the "Evaluation criteria of scientific activity". One of the main priorities in 2024 was to increase the scientific potential of employees, to increase the number of articles and references in international publications and journals with a high impact factor. Analyzes by year showed that the number of employees with scientific degrees in the university increased to 229 people (34 of them are doctors of science, 195 are doctors of philosophy). Elsever Asadov noted that, compared to the last 5 years, a positive growth dynamics was observed in the number of academic staff. Thus, in 2020, the number of scientific degree holders in the staff was 153 (34%), and now this number is 229 (40%). Compared to last year, the number of employees at the university has increased by 40 people, 18 of them have scientific degrees. The number of doctors of science in the staff (34 people) has increased by 15 people compared to 2020. A growth dynamic was also observed in the change of scientific staff. Thus, in 2020, the academic staff was 131 people (12 professors, 118 associate professors), in 2024, this number was 168 people (23 professors, 145 associate professors).
The works carried out in the field of rejuvenating the university's academic staff have also produced positive results. Thus, in 2024, the average age of the university was 49, which, when compared with the indicators of previous years, shows that the work carried out in the field of staff rejuvenation has been done correctly.
The vice-rector emphasized that in 2024, more than 2,400 scientific works were published at the university, Scopus and Web of Science the number of publications in the databases was 63, which means a significant increase compared to previous years. The number of Scopus and Web of Science articles has exceeded the total indicators of the last 5 years. Thus, in 2020, there were only 579 publications by the university, so the average number of publications per staff was 1.3. In 2024, the number of publications per academic staff was 4.3. Compared to last year alone, the number of publications per employee increased by 1 unit. According to the results of 5 years in 2019-2023, there were only 34 publications in the Scopus database, and in 2024 alone, this number was 53.
Elsever Asadov noted that 30 of the scientific publications corresponded to the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. In terms of scientific indicators, the Hirsh index of the university on Scopus increased to 10, and on Web of Science to 9. Patents and international patent applications received in 2024 confirm the innovation potential of the university. The scientific activities of masters and students were also remarkable, and their articles were published in various indexed journals. In 2024, 41 scientific events were held at the university, including 13 international conferences. In 2020, only 13 conferences were held, and in 2024, the number of international congresses and symposia was the same.
Then, the university's goals for 2025 in the field of science were presented. The main goals are to strengthen the activity of scientific research centers and laboratories, to strengthen the material and technical base, to increase the efficiency of scientific work and to expand the application of results in education and production. The main priorities are the organization of contractual scientific works, the implementation of international and local grant projects, joint research within the framework of cooperation agreements, the organization of patent and invention training, and the increase of publications in high impact factor journals. Also, holding joint events with local and foreign scientific and educational institutions and adapting research to modern requirements are among the goals set.
Deputy director of the University's Master's and Doctorate Center Tabriza Bagirova He presented the report of the Student Scientific Society for the academic year 2024-2025. He spoke about the activity directions of the society, its structure, the results of scientific-research works carried out by the TEC at the faculties, as well as the events and projects organized by the initiative of the TEC. It was reported that TEC organized various activities for increasing the scientific potential of students, their participation in social and humanitarian projects, and for their upbringing based on human qualities and in a patriotic spirit, and acted as an organizer in these cases. Then Rector Elbrus Isayev presented certificates to students whose articles were published through TEC.
Rector Elbrus Isayev introduced Yusif Mirzazadeh as the newly elected chairman of the Student Scientific Society to the collective and said that Yusif Mirzazadeh is studying in the second year of the Law major and in 2024 alone, 8 scientific and 12 journalistic articles were published in local and foreign magazines. Therefore, the Rector awarded Yusif Mirzazade with the "Young Researcher of the Year" award.
At the end of the report, an award ceremony was held for employees distinguished by their scientific activity in 2024. By the decision of the Scientific Council of the University, employees and doctoral students were awarded for their influential and impact factor publications, indicators in scientific databases, Hirsch index and reference numbers. Within the framework of the "academic performance evaluation mechanism", 10-25% incentive supplements were added to the salaries of 50 employees for a period of 1 year. Prizes in the amount of 1,500-2,500 manats for each publication in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, 100 manats for foreign publications with other indexes, 300-500 manats for the Hirsch index and references, and 1,000 manats for each patent were presented. In addition, plaques were presented to teachers and students for the faculty of the year, departments of the year, researcher of the year nominations for the scientific activities of 2024. Faculty of Natural Sciences and Agriculture was chosen as the faculty of the year. The departments of "Veterinary Medicine", "Biology", "Transport Engineering and Technical Sciences", "Basic Medicine" and "Azerbaijani Linguistics" were identified as the chairs of the year. Researchers of the year Mahir Maharramov, Taleh Khalilov, Maftun Aliyev, Dashgin Ganbarov and Javanshir Zeynalov, while Yusif Mirzazadeh, a second-year student of Law, Bahriya Mustafayeva, a Medicine IV-year student, and Shahriyar Guliyev, a IV-year student of Information Technologies, were selected as research students.
