October 22, 2025

President of the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) Erol Özvar visited Azerbaijan on October 20–21 to attend the Board of Trustees meeting of the Türkiye-Azerbaijan University (TAU) and to hold several official meetings.

During the visit, Özvar was accompanied by CoHE Deputy President Prof. Naci Gündoğan, as well as the rectors of Hacettepe University, Istanbul Technical University (ITU), and Middle East Technical University (METU), all of which run academic programs at TAU.

Together with Azerbaijan’s Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev, Özvar visited the Türkiye-Azerbaijan University and met with students. Addressing them, Özvar said: “You are the first students and will be the first graduates of this university. Perhaps in the future, you will also become its faculty members. You must work hard. The future leaders of this university should come from among you.” Later, the 5th Meeting of the TAU Board of Trustees was held. In his remarks, Özvar stated that TAU represents one of the most significant initiatives in recent years to further strengthen the close relations between the two brother nations in the fields of science and education.

Emphasizing the importance the CoHE attaches to TAU, Özvar said, “We consider it our duty to provide full support to TAU. I believe our joint venture will grow to serve not only Azerbaijan but the wider region as well. Both countries have the capacity and experience to achieve this.” He also highlighted that some of Azerbaijan’s most talented and successful students choose TAU and underlined the importance of further promoting the university.

Minister Amrullayev described TAU as one of the most concrete examples of scientific and educational cooperation between the two brother countries, noting that it is not only an institution of higher education but also a symbol of elevating the strategic partnership between Türkiye and Azerbaijan to a new level in the scientific field.

In addition to Özvar and Amrullayev, the meeting was attended by ITU Rector Prof. Hasan Mandal, Hacettepe University Rector Prof. Mehmet Cahit Güran, METU Rector Prof. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil, and Azerbaijan Technical University Rector Prof. Vilayet Valiyev. Participants discussed TAU’s short-, medium-, and long-term development plans, curricula, student performance, and outreach activities.

- Visit to Karabakh University

On the second day of the visit, Özvar and the accompanying delegation visited Karabakh University in Shusha. In his address there, Özvar emphasized that Karabakh University, established in 2023, is not only an institution of higher learning but also a symbol of independence, future, and cultural revival.

Stating that the CoHE will continue to stand by Karabakh University, Özvar added that Turkish universities will provide all possible support and resources to the institution. “We will explore what we can do for this young university and the possible areas of cooperation,” he said.

Highlighting the significance of TAU, which continues its educational activities in Baku, Özvar remarked, “I sincerely believe that the Türkiye-Azerbaijan University, which we have planted as a sapling in this blessed land, will grow into a mighty tree symbolizing the unshakable friendship, brotherhood, and cooperation between our two nations.”

Özvar also noted that nearly 45,000 Azerbaijani students are currently studying at Turkish universities, while 226 Azerbaijani academics are employed in Türkiye. “These numbers are indeed valuable,” he said, “but the depth and strength of the relationship between Türkiye and Azerbaijan go far beyond any statistics.”

Together with Minister Amrullayev, Özvar toured the faculties, student dormitories, and ongoing construction projects of Karabakh University, assessing how the new facilities would contribute to the institution and the region’s development. He also met with university students during the visit.

As part of his program, Özvar visited the Embassy of Türkiye in Baku and met with Ambassador Prof. Birol Akgün and embassy staff.

Concluding his visit to Azerbaijan, Özvar and the accompanying delegation returned to Türkiye.