Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey in the fields of science and education is entering a new stage. On October 17, 2025, within the framework of an official visit to Turkey, a delegation led by the Rector of Mingachevir State University (MDU), Anar Eminov, met with the Rector of OSTİM Technical University, Professor Murat Yülek, and the university’s senior leadership in Ankara.
During the meeting, Rector A. Eminov highlighted MDU’s recent internationalization efforts, the development of an innovation-driven academic environment, and the university’s strategic focus on strengthening ties with industry. He noted that the agreement with OSTİM Technical University represents a significant step toward aligning MDU’s teaching and research activities more closely with real industrial and technological ecosystems. He emphasized the intention of MDU’s academic staff and students to benefit from OSTİM’s network of more than 6,000 industrial enterprises and expressed plans for establishing joint laboratories. He also underlined that this partnership holds particular importance for Mingachevir as an industrial city.
Professor M. Yülek elaborated on OSTİM’s “university within industry” model, expressing confidence that this approach would be effectively implemented through joint initiatives with MDU. He highly appreciated MDU’s development potential in engineering, applied sciences, and innovation, and noted that the partnership would open new opportunities for both institutions.
Following the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two universities.
The primary objective of the Memorandum is to enhance cooperation in education, scientific research, and industry engagement. Within this framework, the parties agreed to collaborate on establishing joint laboratories in applied sciences and engineering, creating shared platforms between technoparks and innovation centers, organizing startup and entrepreneurship training programs, implementing dual and joint degree programs, and facilitating exchange and summer internship opportunities. The agreement also предусматривает the application of the “University–Industry” model at MDU, along with the organization of joint conferences and seminars.
After the signing ceremony, the delegation visited the campus of OSTİM Technical University. The MDU representatives highly appreciated the university’s modern classrooms, laboratories, research centers, and its infrastructure integrated with industrial enterprises.
This cooperation will significantly contribute to strengthening knowledge and technology exchange between the higher education systems of Azerbaijan and Turkey, advancing industry-oriented education models, and preparing future specialists with strong practical competencies.