On October 30, 2026, the XXIX Republican Scientific Conference of Doctoral Students and Young Researchers (NASCO29), dedicated to the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture,” commenced in Nakhchivan. The conference is jointly organized by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the State Agency for Science and Higher Education, and Nakhchivan State University.
A delegation from Mingachevir State University (MDU), led by Rector Anar Eminov, is also participating in this prestigious scientific platform, which brings together representatives of various higher education institutions and research institutes, doctoral students, and young scientists from across the country.
The main purpose of the two-day conference is to develop the scientific potential of young researchers, discuss innovative research findings, expand interdisciplinary cooperation, and contribute to the advancement of Azerbaijani science in line with contemporary challenges.
As part of the conference, participants first visited the monument to National Leader Heydar Aliyev in Nakhchivan, laid flowers at its base, and paid deep respect and tribute to his cherished memory.
The official opening ceremony, held at Nakhchivan State University, began with a minute of silence in memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, followed by the performance of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The event was attended by Ceyhun Jalilov, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic; Idris Isayev, Deputy Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Ulkar Sattarova, Director of the State Agency for Science and Higher Education; Ovni Muradov, Minister of Education of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic; Elbrus Isayev, Rector of Nakhchivan State University; Anar Eminov, Rector of Mingachevir State University; as well as ministry representatives and relevant government officials, rectors of higher education institutions, academic staff, doctoral students, and young researchers.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, Deputy Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Idris Isayev highlighted the importance of state policies implemented to develop science and higher education in the country, improve the quality of scientific research, and ensure the effective utilization of the scientific potential of young researchers. He emphasized that young researchers’ acquisition of modern scientific approaches, their integration into the international academic environment, and the expansion of interuniversity research cooperation play a significant role in the intellectual development of the country. Particular attention was given to the opportunities created by large-scale scientific platforms such as NASCO29 for generating new research ideas, sharing scientific findings, and strengthening academic connections among young scientists.
Ceyhun Jalilov, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, also emphasized the significance of the conference, highlighting the importance of developing Nakhchivan’s scientific and educational potential, expanding the research activities of higher education institutions, and supporting young people’s research initiatives. It was noted that such nationwide scientific events contribute to the development of Nakhchivan’s academic environment and strengthen cooperation with other scientific and educational centers across the country.
In his report-style presentation at the conference, Rector of Nakhchivan State University Elbrus Isayev provided detailed information about the organization of NASCO29, the scientific activity of participants, and the results of the submitted research papers. It was reported that overall scientific participation associated with the conference involved approximately 5,000 individuals. A total of 1,627 articles and abstracts were submitted to the scientific platform, of which 1,028 were accepted following the evaluation process.
One of the key points highlighted in Elbrus Isayev’s speech concerned statistical indicators reflecting the scientific activity of higher education institutions across the country. According to the statistics on articles and abstracts accepted for the NASCO29 conference, Baku State University, Nakhchivan State University, and Mingachevir State University ranked among the top three institutions. This achievement is regarded as an important indicator of the expansion of MDU’s scientific research activities, the growing research engagement of its academic staff and young researchers, and the development of the university’s research environment.
The conference’s opening program also featured the participation of Mahammad Bayramov, a doctoral student at Nakhchivan State University, drawing attention to the scientific activities of young researchers, contemporary research directions, and opportunities for academic development.
Mingachevir State University’s participation in NASCO29 at the leadership level, along with its position among the country’s leading universities in terms of the number of accepted scientific papers, reflects the outcomes of its efforts to strengthen institutional research capacity. Increasing scientific productivity, engaging young scientists in research activities, promoting innovative approaches, and expanding interuniversity scientific cooperation remain among the university’s key priorities.
It should be noted that the NASCO29 conference, held on October 30–31, includes parallel sessions in public health and medicine, mathematics and information and communication technologies, natural sciences, economics and management, engineering, and social sciences and humanities. Researchers from Mingachevir State University are also participating in the conference with presentations and reports covering various scientific fields.
One of the significant outcomes of the conference for Mingachevir State University, alongside the expansion of scientific cooperation, is the demonstration of the university’s research activity and academic potential at the national level. The achievements in this area create new opportunities for MDU to develop as a research- and innovation-oriented university, enhance its scientific reputation, and strengthen its position within the country’s higher education landscape.