January 21, 2026

A memorandum of understanding titled “Education and Scientific Cooperation” was signed between Azerbaijan’s Karabakh University and Istanbul Technical University (ITU) at a ceremony held at the Council of Higher Education.

The memorandum was signed by ITU Rector Hasan Mandal and Karabakh University Rector Shahin Bayramov in the presence of Azerbaijan’s Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev and President of the Council of Higher Education Erol Özvar.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Özvar stated that the deep-rooted brotherhood between Türkiye and Azerbaijan continues to grow stronger through concrete and strategic cooperation in higher education. He underlined that the memorandum marks an important milestone in institutionalizing and ensuring the long-term sustainability of scientific and educational cooperation between the two countries. He described the memorandum as a valuable and strategic step.

“ITU’s Experience Will Strongly Contribute to Karabakh University’s Development”

Özvar stated: “The knowledge and experience of a long-established and internationally reputable university such as Istanbul Technical University, especially in engineering, will provide very strong contributions to the development of Karabakh University. Student and faculty exchanges, joint research projects, double degree programs, and joint laboratory studies in engineering constitute the main pillars of this cooperation. Our goal is to elevate cooperation not only at the undergraduate level but also at the master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels.”

Özvar emphasized that every strategic partnership in higher education between Türkiye and Azerbaijan is considered as an investment in the shared future of the two countries, noting that many Azerbaijani students study in Türkiye today and more than 200 Azerbaijani academics serve at Turkish universities.

He also stated that cooperation in higher education between the two countries is based on the shared will of the Presidents of both countries, and that the directives of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Ilham Aliyev provide a strong foundation for this process.

Minister Amrullayev: “Turkish Students Form the Largest Group of International Students in Azerbaijan”

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Science and Education, Emin Amrullayev, stated that the cooperation between Karabakh University and ITU has created a new and strong partnership platform in education between Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

He noted that the largest group of international students studying in Azerbaijan consists of Turkish citizens and expressed satisfaction with the cooperation.

He added that Azerbaijan is ready to continue cooperation in education both bilaterally and within the framework of Turkic States.