On 17 July 2026, a delegation led by Anar Eminov, Rector of Mingachevir State University (MSU), visited the Zero Waste Foundation (Sıfır Atık Vakfı) as part of an official visit to the Republic of Türkiye.
The MSU delegation was received by Samed Ağırbaş, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of the Zero Waste Foundation.
The primary purpose of the meeting was to benefit from the Foundation’s international experience, methodological approaches and institutional cooperation opportunities in preventing and reducing waste generation, minimising carbon emissions, ensuring the efficient use of natural resources, promoting a culture of recycling and introducing circular economy principles into the university environment.
The discussions addressed the development of a zero-waste model through MSU’s Research Institute for Sustainable Energy and Engineering Systems, the improvement of waste sorting and management systems across the campus, the efficient use of energy and water resources, the measurement and reduction of the university’s carbon footprint, the monitoring of environmental indicators, and the engagement of students and staff in environmental initiatives.
The parties exchanged views on the gradual implementation of the zero-waste approach across the university campus, the organisation of joint projects, awareness-raising programmes, training sessions and seminars, the development of environmental projects, and the exchange of relevant experience and information.
Rector Anar Eminov stated that environmental responsibility and the efficient management of resources constitute key priorities within the institutional development process being undertaken at Mingachevir State University. He noted that the University plans to implement its initiatives related to waste management, improved energy efficiency, carbon-footprint reduction and the promotion of environmentally responsible behaviour within a unified and systematic framework.
Anar Eminov emphasised that learning from the experience developed by the Zero Waste Foundation would make an important contribution to establishing management mechanisms based on measurable environmental indicators, improving the University’s campus infrastructure and developing students’ green skills.
Samed Ağırbaş, Chairman of the Zero Waste Foundation, expressed his confidence that joint projects with Mingachevir State University could be implemented in the near future. Noting that educating young people according to the principles of environmental responsibility, conscious consumption and the efficient use of resources produces long-term results, he highly appreciated the initiative demonstrated by Mingachevir State University in this area.
It should be noted that Mingachevir State University has become the first university in Azerbaijan to initiate discussions on direct institutional cooperation with the Zero Waste Foundation concerning the zero-waste model. This initiative lays the foundation for a new stage in improving the University’s environmental management in accordance with international experience, increasing campus resource efficiency and reducing its environmental impact based on measurable indicators.