Rector of NSU Elbrus Isayev held a briefing for media representatives

Rector of NSU Elbrus Isayev media representatives  in the briefing held for of 2025  made a broad presentation about the conclusions.

The Rector noted that the year 2025 will be remembered for successes, innovations and achievements for Nakhchivan State University. He said that during the year, the university achieved important results not only in the field of improving the quality of education and the development of scientific and social activities of students, but also in the direction of expanding international cooperation, strengthening scientific and research activities, organizing events in the field of culture and art, as well as achieving high positions in international rankings. The university has participated in leading projects both in the country and in the world, and has achieved commendable achievements in the improvement of teaching and scientific quality, student success, startup projects, international centers and the creation of new scientific research infrastructure. In order to increase the experience of the academic staff, many local and international trainings have been organized.

Rector of Nakhchivan State University Elbrus Isayev He noted that 2025 was marked by the successful implementation of a number of strategic goals for NSU, and presented statistical information on the results achieved in all directions based on the headings listed below.

In his speech, Elbrus Isayev drew attention to the successes achieved in the field of education.  

It was noted that during the admission of students to Nakhchivan State University, for the first time, a significant increase was observed in the number of students who scored in the range of 600-700. So, compared to last year, this indicator increased from 41 people to 152 people, of which 1 person was awarded the Presidential scholarship. At the same time, the number of admitted students with scores above 500 has increased from 337 to 402. The share of students accepted by the state order was increased from 46 percent to 49 percent.

It was reported that 142 students with high indicators were provided with a special scholarship in the amount of 200 manats and 4 students in the amount of 250 manats established by the university for the first time. At the master's level, 8 new specializations were accepted.

In the 2024/2025 academic year, a record number of graduates was recorded in the history of the university. That year, 1,645 bachelors, 230 masters and 21 residents graduated.

In the second half of the 2024-2025 academic year, 1,544 university students were sent to 43 institutions for internships. 443 of them had pedagogical experience, and 1101 had industrial experience. Negotiations and contracts were signed with 38 state and private enterprises of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for the experiments to be held in the second half of the 2025-2026 academic year. Also, for the first time in the 2024-2025 academic year, 39 students of various specialties had an internship at the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan MR.

According to the information, for the first time, experiences of translation majors were organized at the experience bases of Azerbaijan University of Languages, "Medicine" major at the Central Customs Hospital, and "Soil science and agrochemistry" majors at the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry under ARETN. In addition, 3 students majoring in "Veterinary Medicine" at Kars Qafqaz University of the Republic of Turkey, and 7 students majoring in "Energy Engineering" at Trabzon Technical University were trained.

In July, 300 students and teaching staff, including students, doctors and residents, participated in summer industrial practices and professional development courses at the prestigious higher education institutions of Turkey - Hacettepe, Gazi, Ankara and Yeditepe universities.

The number of countries accepting foreign students has increased from 14 to 22. With 1,800 foreign students, the university has maintained the country's leadership in this indicator. In 2025, 12 foreign students were accepted within the framework of the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant program. Also, the university accepted students for 7 majors taught in English, and as a result, 121 people were admitted to those majors.

According to the rector, in 2025, a number of new centers were put into use at the university for the first time. These are Artificial Intelligence Center, Sustainable Development Center, Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev Teaching and Research Center, Innovation Center, Inclusive Education Center, Psychological Service and Child Development Center, Lifelong Education and Futurology Center, as well as the Electronic Philharmonic in the Conservatory - LOLA system.

It was noted that the LOLA system is a low-latency online performance and collaboration platform for musicians and educational institutions. This platform is available in the conservatories of only 30 universities around the world, and one of them operates at NSU.

Elbrus Isayev reported on the results achieved in the field of scientific research at the university in 2025.

The Rector said that the number of students engaged in scientific research through the Student Scientific Society reached 24 percent of full-time students. In this context, dozens of scientific articles of the students were published in foreign and national journals, as well as conference materials. Several of the student articles have been published in Scopus-based, high impact factor journals.

According to Elbrus Isayev, a number of start-up projects have been implemented at the university during 2025. With the support of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IRIA) and the organization of the "SUP VC" company, the startups of NSU were successful in the "Grand Final" stage of the "Innostart" project held in the regions of Azerbaijan. In total, 4 teams won, two of which represented Nakhchivan State University. Each of the "ImYen" and "Specdeaf" teams received a prize with an investment value of 12,500 manats. The winning teams won the right to participate in the incubation program in the Information Valley of Turkey. The Rector noted that within the framework of the "Innostart" competition, two student teams of the university separately received an investment of 12,500 manats, and in 2025, the total value of the awards won by student teams in domestic and international startup competitions was 40,000 manats.

According to the Rector's statement, according to the results of 2025, more than 3000 scientific publications were registered at the university. 150 of them consisted of monographs, textbooks, teaching aids, programs and methodical aids. Out of more than 2,000 published articles, 1,300 were published abroad, and more than 300 of them appeared in prestigious journals based on Web of Science and Scopus. 370 of more than 600 theses were published in foreign publications. The number of publications per academic staff was more than 5. Elbrus Isayev said that all the mentioned indicators are record results compared to previous years, and in 2025, the number of prestigious publications in the Scopus and Web of Science databases reached the total number of publications of the university for all previous periods.

Elbrus Isayev also emphasized that for the first time access to international library databases - EBSCO, Clarivate (ProQuest Ebook Central, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, ProQuest Multimedia) and Taylor & Francis platforms was created and membership documents were approved. With this, the possibility of using international electronic databases has been extended to about 40 million resources covering all specialties.

The rector informed about the measures implemented in the direction of internationalization of the university in 2025 and the results achieved.

Rector said that expansion of international cooperation was one of the main strategic priorities of the university.

According to Elbrus Isayev, the implementation of the dual diploma program with Turkey's Çankırı Karatekin University has been continued. At the same time, the implementation of the double diploma program in the specialty of computer engineering with the John von Neumann University of Hungary has been started. A double degree agreement was signed with the American George Washington University on the "Health Management" specialty. A double diploma protocol has been formalized with Istanbul University for two master's programs covering "History of the Turkish World" and "Strategic Management".

The Rector noted that Nakhchivan State University is in the top 10 of the country and among the top 700 universities in the world in the "GreenMetric" international rating table. For the first time in the country in the 2025-2026 academic year at the Nakhchivan State University within the framework of the implementation of the "State Program for the socio-economic development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023-2027" of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev “"Medicine" specialty SABAH groups' English language section has started to operate and student admission was conducted through a competition.

According to the information given by Elbrus Isayev, 50 foreign professors representing prestigious universities from different countries of the world were involved in teaching at the university. A protocol on bilateral academic cooperation was also signed with Acıbadem University.

During 2025, official visits of Hungarian parliament vice-speaker Sandor Lejak and TURKSOY general secretary Sultan Raev to the university were organized and meetings were held with the staff. NDU was elected a member of TÜRKÜNİB (Union of Turkish Universities) and joined ORHUN exchange program.

The rector said that 97 people took the exam in the IELTS Registration and Examination Center of NSU, and 68 people took the exam in the SAT Registration and Examination Center. A one-semester exchange of 10 students to Hacettepe University was carried out within the TIES international scholarship program, and a total of 50 students participated in various exchange programs.

Elbrus Isayev also emphasized that 20 foreign researchers were involved in conducting joint scientific research at the university. In April 2025, an international training month was organized with the participation of 21 foreign professors from 6 countries. About 1500 students, teachers and public representatives participated in the events.

Informing about the measures implemented in the social and cultural sphere in 2025 and the achieved results, the rector said that the work done in this direction served to enrich the life of the university and further development of the student-teacher environment.

According to Elbrus Isayev, the "Ancient Folk Musical Instruments" ensemble consisting of students and teachers was created at Nakhchivan State University for the first time. At the same time, a concert program of the NSU Symphony Orchestra dedicated to the National Liberation Day of Azerbaijan, dedicated to June 15, was presented at the Heydar Aliyev Palace in Nakhchivan.

The rector noted that Turkish astrophysicist, NASA specialist, METU scientist Umut Yıldız visited Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for the first time under the organization of NSU. With his participation, a scientific-musical concert program called "Sound of the Cosmos" performed by the university's Symphony Orchestra was shown in the Heydar Aliyev Palace.

According to the information given by Elbrus Isayev, professor Ilber Ortayl's lectures were organized at the university, and a meeting with the public of Nakhchivan was held at the Heydar Aliyev Palace.

According to the rector, the next Career Fair was organized by NSU. 640 vacant jobs were presented at the exhibition, and 132 people were employed on the spot within the framework of the event.

The rector noted that 20During the 25th year, the number of new recruits to Nakhchivan State University was 252. This is the largest number in the last 5 years.

Emphasizing NSU's continuous achievements in various fields of sports, the rector said that in 2025, 24 students of the university participated in various sports competitions, and 13 of them won in these competitions.

The rector of the higher education institution said that university-industry cooperation is one of the main priority directions in the strategic development plan of the university.  According to the Rector, continuous action programs are being developed and implemented in this area and real results have been achieved.

Elbrus Isayev noted that cooperation memoranda were signed with 61 different state and private enterprises and organizations within the framework of university-industry cooperation over the past 5 years. A total of 325 meetings, trainings, joint events and mutual activities were held within the framework of these cooperations.

According to the Rector's statement, new joint cooperation and sponsorship agreements were signed with 11 additional state and private enterprises in 2025. These are "Accounting Chamber of the Republic of Azerbaijan", "Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences", "National Observatory on Labor Market and Social Protection Issues under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan", "Ministry of Education of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan", "Innovation and Digital Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan", "National Artificial Intelligence Center" belonging to AZCON Holding, "Kapitalbank" OJSC, "Reference Nakhchivan Medical Center", "Azerishiq" OJSC, "Umid" Babek Operating Company" is a branch of the Operating Company in the Republic of Azerbaijan and "Invest-AZ Investment Company" CJSC. In this direction, a total of 74 meetings, trainings, joint events and various mutual activities were held during the year.

Elbrus Isayev said that in many large-scale events organized by NSU, private business entities - "PASHA Life Insurance" OJSC, "Kapitalbank" OJSC, "Lazzet Companies Group" LLC, "Sirab" OJSC, "Badamli Mineral Waters" LLC, "Referans Nakhchivan Medical Center" and "APF GROUP" LLC provided sponsorship support as partner enterprises.

According to the Rector, according to the contract concluded on December 26, 2025 with the branch of the "Umid Babek Operating Company" Operating Company in the Republic of Azerbaijan, financial support in the amount of 280,000 manats is provided for the establishment of a cyber security laboratory at Nakhchivan State University and the organization of specialized training in 2026.

Elbrus Isayev also emphasized that two major Career Fairs were organized in Nakhchivan in 2024 and 2025 at the initiative of NSU. On June 5-8, 2024, more than 2,000 young people were offered work and experience opportunities at the first Career Fair organized by the Authorized Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the Nakhchivan State University. At the exhibition, 32 state institutions and 8 private companies with which the university cooperates presented vacancy and internship programs in various specialties.

The II Career Fair was held on June 10-12, 2025, jointly organized by the Authorized Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Nakhchivan State University and the Nakhchivan City Executive Authority.

Rector of Nakhchivan State University Elbrus Isayev informed about the innovations implemented in the direction of the electronic university. The rector said that the application of EduROAM service at Nakhchivan State University (NDU) has been started since September 2025.

According to Elbrus Isayev, the project was implemented in cooperation with AzScience with the support of the European Association of Science and Education Networks (GÉANT). Within this process, a RADIUS server infrastructure was established, which provides authentication and identification processes between AzScience and NDU.

The rector noted that the EduROAM service was initially available to students living in the university's dormitory, and at a later stage it was made available to all university students. According to the current information, 1334 EduROAM student accounts have been created at NSU and the user registration process is ongoing.

Elbrus Isayev emphasized that EduROAM (Education Roaming) is an international academic network initiative that provides students, teachers and employees of higher education institutions with a secure internet connection based on a single identification in thousands of universities and research centers around the world.

The rector informed about the measures implemented at the university within the framework of the implementation of the "State Program for the socio-economic development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023-2027".

He said that in accordance with subsection 8.9.3.2.2 of the State Program, important steps have been taken to establish an English-language secondary school at Nakhchivan State University. 550 electronic and printed Cambridge textbooks and other books of 24 titles with a total value of 69,970 AZN were purchased and handed over to the school with the State Program funds to enrich the school's library fund.

According to Elbrus Isayev, the documentation of the area allocated for the construction of the second building in order to expand the infrastructure of the English-language secondary school has been completed, and the register and land-use documents have been obtained. Although a design competition was announced, the process of preparing a new competition announcement is currently being continued as the competition was unsuccessful. At the same time, central ventilation, heating-cooling, fire safety, sound and camera systems, as well as other necessary infrastructure elements, were created based on the contract concluded in order to adapt the school's infrastructure to international standards.

The rector also touched on the work done in the direction of strengthening cooperation with foreign higher education institutions and implementation of joint programs under subsection 8.9.5.2.2 of the State Program. It was reported that 30 students were accepted for the 2025-2026 academic year with the John von Neumann University of the Republic of Hungary in the 3+1 format for the "Computer Engineering" specialty (with the language of instruction being English).

Elbrus Isayev noted that a preliminary agreement has been reached with Istanbul University on the implementation of dual diploma programs on the majors of "Strategic Management" and "History of the Turkic World" at the master's level. In addition, technical equipment with a total cost of 139,534 manats was purchased for the IELTS and SAT centers operating at NSU at the expense of the State Program funds.

According to the rector, negotiations with the George Washington University of the USA regarding the dual diploma program on the "Health Management" specialty at the master's level have also been continued.

Elbrus Isayev reported on the introduction of programs with new content in higher education institutions, including the activities of SABAH groups in the specialty "Medicine" in accordance with subsection 8.9.4.2.1 of the "State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023-2027".

The rector said that according to the results of the competition held for the spring semester of the 2024/2025 academic year, 7 teachers in 7 subjects were selected to teach in SABAH groups. For the 2025/2026 academic year, a total of 20 students, including 15 students from the Azerbaijani section and 5 students from the English section, were admitted to SABAH groups through a competition.

According to Elbrus Isayev, 5 foreign professors were involved in the teaching process in order to improve the quality of teaching in SABAH groups. Also, a two-week summer production experience was organized at Ankara University for the students studying in the SABAH groups of the Medical Faculty of Nakhchivan State University.

The rector noted that textbooks, soft inventory and IT equipment with a total value of 34,361.56 manats were purchased with the State Program funds, and these funds were fully paid on December 30, 2026.

Elbrus Isayev reported on the events and successes of the International Cambridge School of the university in 2025. The Rector said that the school was rebuilt and put into use according to the standards of Cambridge University, and all students were provided with books and tablets.

In addition, the International Olympiad Preparation Center was established for the first time in the Cambridge School, and the students presented a "Science Fair" in English for the first time. The students of the school won 6 medals at the international Olympiads in 2025.

According to the rector, 3 teachers of the school have successfully completed 3 international certificate programs. In 2025, 36 graduates of the gymnasium were admitted to higher education institutions, 23 of them received certificates of distinction. 22 of the graduates scored above 250 and 34 above 215 in the final exam, the average score of the graduates was 251.

61 students of the gymnasium participated in the IX class final exam held by the State Examination Center on April 27, 2025. According to the results, Rugayya Huseynli became the first in Nakhchivan by scoring 300 points, and a total of 47 students were awarded certificates of distinction.

Elbrus Isayev also said that the students of the gymnasium successfully participated in national and international science Olympiads:

11 students in mathematics, 9 students in natural science, and 4 students in informatics were among the winners of the National Science Competition.

3 silver, 3 bronze medals and 2 honorary titles were won at SASMO International Olympiad.

1 I, 1 II and 2 III places were obtained in the II Physics-Mathematics Olympiad named after Nasreddin Tusi.

1 gold, 4 silver, 11 bronze medals and 5 certificates were won at the AMO International Olympiad.

In the final round of the III Physics-Mathematics and Informatics Olympiad named after Nasreddin Tusi, he took 1 I and 2 II places.

The Rector emphasized that these results are an indicator of the school's activities in accordance with international standards and the high level of preparation of students.

In the end, the questions of media representatives were answered.