On 19 October 2026, a masterclass on “Turkic peoples: the archaeology of the Khazar Khaganate” was held at the Faculty of Education of Mingachevir State University (MSU) as part of a series of open lectures dedicated to the centenary of the First Turkological Congress.

The class, attended by first-year students majoring in History Teaching and Psychological Services in Education, was led by Associate Professor Taleh Aliyev, Head of the Department of Numismatics and Epigraphy at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. The masterclass aimed to expand students’ knowledge of the history and cultural heritage of Turkic peoples, increase their interest in working with primary sources and develop their research skills.

The class highlighted the role of the First Turkological Congress, held in Baku in 1926, in the scholarly study of the languages, history, ethnography and cultural heritage of Turkic peoples. Its contributions to the study of shared scholarly and cultural values, the expansion of academic ties and the development of Turkological research were discussed.

Taleh Aliyev provided detailed information on the history, political and cultural life of the Khazar Khaganate, its place in the history of Turkic peoples, and the significance of archaeological materials, numismatic and epigraphic sources in its study. Archaeological finds were emphasised as important scholarly sources for investigating the socio-political relations, economic life and cultural connections of ancient and medieval societies.

The masterclass emphasised the importance of studying historical events and processes through primary sources in developing scholarly thinking and drawing well-founded conclusions. The role of researching and preserving material culture in passing historical heritage on to future generations, sustaining shared cultural values and strengthening respect for cultural diversity was also noted.

The masterclass enabled students to connect their theoretical knowledge with research practice and benefit from the knowledge and experience of a specialist in the field. Such initiatives contribute to the integration of education and research at MSU, the expansion of cooperation between the university and research institutes, and students’ academic development.