On 30 October 2025, the First International Scientific-Practical Conference titled “Development and Innovation: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning” was officially launched at Nakhchivan State University (NSU).
The conference is being held under the main hosting and organization of NSU, with co-organizers including Mingachevir State University (MSU), Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU), Tashkent State Technical University (Uzbekistan), Corvinus University of Budapest (Hungary), Asia Pacific University of Malaysia, Düzce University (Türkiye), National University of Sciences and Technology (Pakistan), and other partner higher education institutions.
The opening ceremony began with a minute of silence in memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the homeland, followed by the performance of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The Rector of NSU, Elbrus Isayev, opened the event by welcoming participants and highlighting that recent state strategies in artificial intelligence, digitalization, and innovative technologies have created new development opportunities for higher education. He emphasized the growing importance of international scientific cooperation in integrating regional universities into the global academic space.
Speakers including the Rector of AzTU, Prof. Vilayat Valiyev, Rector of Düzce University Prof. Nedim Sözbir, and representatives of other partner universities highly appreciated the scientific and academic significance of the conference.
In his speech, Anar Eminov emphasized that Mingachevir State University is steadily strengthening its scientific capacity as a regional university. He noted that newly signed cooperation protocols with leading Turkish universities are making a significant contribution to expanding MSU’s international academic relations. He also highlighted that MSU is not only actively participating in the global academic environment but is also implementing strategic initiatives to strengthen university–industry cooperation. In this regard, he referred to the “Regional University–Industry Partnership Summit 2025,” held on 24 October, as an important platform for developing university–industry cooperation models in the country. He stressed that such international conferences play a strategic role in transforming regional universities into centers of science and innovation.
After the official opening, the conference continued with plenary and four sectional sessions. Researchers from various countries presented papers on artificial intelligence and machine learning, covering topics such as technological innovations, industrial applications, digital security, generative AI models, and ethical and social implications.
The hybrid-format conference includes MSU’s delegation led by Rector Anar Eminov. In total, more than 135 scientific papers from 13 countries were submitted, authored by researchers from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Belarus, India, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and other countries. The papers cover current research topics in engineering, computer sciences, economics, and management.
The two-day international event will conclude with the presentation of certificates and the summarization of scientific discussions and outcomes. It should be noted that Mingachevir State University continues to systematically expand its international scientific cooperation network and strengthen its university–industry collaboration model, aiming to position itself as an innovative regional academic hub.