Dr. Rovshan Abbasov, a lecturer at the Department of Geography and Environment of Khazar University and an advisor to the German International Cooperation’s EU4Climate Resilience and PROGRESS projects, has prepared a curriculum material titled “Climate Changes and GHG reduction in city environments”. The main goal of this course is to provide students with the necessary knowledge about the impacts of climate change in urban areas, climate risk reduction, the organization and management of mitigation and adaptation measures.
This course, being a 240-minute course, may be of interest not only to students, but also to decision-makers and all those interested in the impacts of climate change in urban environments and their preparedness.
The course was taught to students in the 20024-2025 academic year. Within the framework of this course, Rovshan Abbasov also provided detailed information about the activities carried out within the framework of the EU4Climate Resilience and PROGRESS projects.
The first informaiton about the course was delivered at the International Syposium “On the Eve of COP29: Coordination of Education, Public Health and Sustainable Development”, organized at the Khazar university in October, 2024.
On March 25, 2025, Erasmus University Rotterdam hosted a workshop on water security and global European challenges in Azerbaijan. The seminar, titled "Talking about water in countless ways: The case of Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea," featured presentations on various topics by Khazar University representatives Dr. Rovshan Abbasov and Dr. Rovshan Karimov.
The seminar was attended by Erasmus Rotterdam University and Khazar University staff, as well as doctoral students and postgraduate students.
The final event of the international research project SORG4NOBAL, selected for funding by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences for the period 2023–2025, was held in Azerbaijan. The event brought together researchers and stakeholders to discuss the project’s outcomes, focusing on the contribution of the sorghum plant to agriculture and ecosystems. Dr. Jamala Eldarova, Head of the Department of Life Sciences at Khazar University, and Associate Professor Dr. Javid Ocaqı participated in the discussions.
The event took place on March 11–12, 2025. The first day of the seminar, dedicated to "Nature-Based Solutions and Agroecology," was held at the Radisson Hotel. The seminar opened with a presentation by Dr. Javid Ocagi titled “Nature-Based Solutions at Khazar University.” Other contributors included Dr. Mahbubjon Rahmatov, project coordinator and researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Dr. Rita Amoniene and Dr. Monika Toleikiene from the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry; Dr. Priit Pechter from the Estonian Centre for Agricultural Research and Knowledge; Dr. Olena Yarmolska from the Ukrainian Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetics – National Center for Seed and Genotype Research; Josefine Johansson, representative of the Swedish Association of Organic Farmers; and Habiba Allam, a student from Lund University.
The second day, focused on "Nature-Based Solutions and Sustainable Cities," was held at the Marble Hall of Khazar University. Presentations were delivered by Bernadett Kiss from Lund University, Fidan Namazova from ADA University, Irada Garakhanova from FAO, Elmira Farzaliyeva from Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), and Azizagha Atakishiyev from Goychay Vocational Education Center. As part of the seminar, project participants also visited the Genetic Resources Institute (GRI) under the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, where they met with the institute’s Director General, Professor Zeynal Akparov, a corresponding member of ANAS. The delegation was briefed on the institute’s research activities, the National Genebank, and the Central Information Database.
The final meeting was attended by researchers from Sweden, Estonia, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Azerbaijan, as well as farmers and representatives from FAO, ADA University, and the Ministry of Agriculture. The project aimed to mitigate eutrophication and pesticide pollution through the introduction of climate-resilient sorghum, while enhancing food security and ecological sustainability.
The event also served as a platform to explore new opportunities for international collaboration and the implementation of future projects. Experts presented proposals on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing agricultural biodiversity, raising farmer awareness, and expanding the use of sorghum for bioenergy, animal feed, and human nutrition.
This gathering marked a significant step toward developing new approaches within the framework of Nature-Based Solutions, and contributed to the elaboration of integrated solutions for climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and agricultural resilience, aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Turan Huseynzade, a student at Khazar University, has successfully implemented the "EcoSteps: Our Carbon Footprints" project, financed by the Youth Foundation of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The initiative aims to enhance awareness regarding carbon emissions and promote sustainable habits to mitigate ecological impacts.
Environmental Education and Innovative Platform: One of the project's primary focuses is environmental education on carbon emissions. This initiative assists individuals in comprehending how their daily activities generate carbon footprints and learning necessary steps to minimize these impacts. Furthermore, within the framework of the project, a digital platform—carbonfootprint.az—has been launched, which calculates individual carbon footprints and encourages people to make more environmentally conscious choices.
Project Implementation and Youth Involvement: Initially funded by the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation on July 25, 2024, the project was officially launched six months later in January 2025. The initiative was developed by volunteers from the Association for Support of Youth Scientific Research, exemplifying the significant contribution of young professionals in the domains of sustainability and environmental responsibility.
This endeavor aims to positively influence society through the integration of environmental awareness and technological solutions.
An article titled "The International Work Addiction Scale (IWAS): A screening tool for clinical and organizational applications validated in 85 cultures from six continents," co-authored by Ulker Isayeva, professor at Khazar University's Psychology Department, has been published in the "Journal of Behavioral Addictions." The journal serves as a platform for scientific exchange on behavioral addictions and encompasses research on genetic, neurobiological, psychological, clinical psychiatric, epidemiological, social, and anthropological approaches to behavioral addictions. "Journal of Behavioral Addictions" is recognized as one of the most prestigious academic publications globally, indexed as Q1.
The article highlights that despite significant advances in scientific research on work addiction in recent years, a major challenge in this field remains the absence of a globally reliable and valid measurement instrument. This research, conducted to address this deficiency, has established a scale with cross-cultural reliability and validity for scientifically identifying work addiction.
The International Work Addiction Scale (IWAS), a 16-item questionnaire, was administered to 31,352 employees across 85 different cultures worldwide. The findings revealed correlations between work addiction and high work stress, job satisfaction, and self-confidence. The research demonstrates that the IWAS can yield reliable results across different cultures and languages, indicating its potential utility in both clinical and organizational settings.
https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2025.00005
On March 3, 2025, a seminar on "Organization of Psychological Work with Victims in Extreme Situations" was conducted by Mirsadiq Muxtarov, staff member of Khazar University's Psychology Department and psychologist at the Khazar Psychological Service Center. The event was jointly organized by the Psychology Department and Psychology Club of Khazar University. University faculty and students participated in the event. The seminar contained particularly important and useful information for students studying psychology.
Mirsadiq Muxtarov explained the concept of extreme conditions, emphasizing the mental processes that occur in people. Speaking about the importance of psychological support in extreme situations, he noted the fundamentals of initial psychological aid and provided extensive information about the main methods and approaches applied.
During the seminar, numerous questions from participants were answered by the trainer. The event not only deepened students' theoretical knowledge but also covered practical aspects of psychological approaches in real situations.
On March 3, 2025, a workshop titled "Design Without Borders: A Creator's Journey" was organized by the Career and Alumni Center with the support of the Architecture and Design Department for Khazar University students studying "Fine Arts Teaching," "Design," and "Architecture." The workshop was conducted by Sabina Ahmad, Chief Artist of Khazar Television and a Khazar University alumna.
Drawing on her extensive experience in the design field, S. Ahmad shared her knowledge with students on topics including 3D design, graphic design, studio design, and artistic arrangement. She also presented projects she had implemented as a designer and art director, as well as spaces she had designed.
At the end of the event, S. Ahmad answered questions from the students.
Dr. Muhammad Imran, Adjunct Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature, delivered a compelling keynote session on "Transforming Education: How Artificial Intelligence Changes Teaching and Learning?" on February 28th at the USJ Education PhD Research Seminar, attended by presenters from different countries, USJ researchers, faculty, and PhD students.
Organized by the School of Education at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), this seminar is part of DOC104 - Integrative Research Seminars, designed to expose PhD students to diverse research areas. Dr. Imran’s session provided deep insights into the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in language education, exploring its impact on teaching methodologies, student engagement, and future learning paradigms. His presentation sparked engaging discussions among attendees, fostering critical dialogue on AI-driven transformations in academia.
On February 28, 2025, an event dedicated to "World Civil Defense Day" (March 1) was organized by the Department of Life Sciences at Khazar University. The university's faculty members and students participated in the event.
Opening the event, Aslan Rzayev, instructor at the Department of Life Sciences, spoke about the importance of civil defense and public preparedness for emergency situations. Muhammad Aghazadeh, a student from the Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, provided comprehensive information about the history of the International Civil Defense Organization and Azerbaijan's role in this institution.
Gulafat Shafiyeva, an instructor from the department, addressed crucial aspects in her presentation on "Dangers, Fear, and Human Psychology During Emergency Situations."
The practical portion of the event featured demonstrations of first aid and rescue operations. Shahana Ibrahimova, instructor at the Department of Life Sciences, explained the procedures for artificial respiration and closed cardiac massage, while Aydan Nasirli, a student from the School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, elucidated first aid techniques for carbon monoxide poisoning.
In conclusion, Mais Talishkhanov, instructor at the Department of Life Sciences, and Alovsat Amirbayli, Director of Media and Public Relations at Khazar University, emphasized the significance of ensuring public safety and protecting the population during natural and man-made emergencies. The event concluded with a question-and-answer session with students.
Burcu Temur, a doctoral student in the Department of Political Sciences and Philosophy, participated in the 5th International Scientific Conference titled "World Azerbaijanis: History and Modernity" organized by the Faculty of History at Baku State University on February 27-28, 2025. Burcu Temur was awarded for her presentation on "Natural resources and nation-building: the case of Azerbaijan petroleum."
The international scientific conference, dedicated to the 105th anniversary of Baku State University, focused on deeper research of historical-demographic processes after the Patriotic War, identifying innovative directions, involving young researchers in scientific research, and discussing scientific results at an international level.
On February 27, 2025, a training session on "Copyright and Plagiarism" was conducted by Raziya Isayeva, Dean of the School of Economics and Management at Khazar University, within the framework of the ERASMUS+DIRNA project, where Khazar University serves as the coordinator.
The training was attended by staff from project partner universities, both in-person and online, including: Khazar University, Baku State University, Azerbaijan Technical University, State Customs Committee Academy, Nakhchivan State University, Ganja State University, Mingachevir State University, Lankaran State University.
The trainer provided comprehensive information on the following topics: “What are copyrights?”, “Who owns research copyrights in research?”, “Transfer of copyright through author agreements”, “Using copyright-protected materials in research”, “What is plagiarism?”, “Types of plagiarism”, “Proper citation and referencing”, “Citation and reference management tools”, “Plagiarism detection methods”.
The training concluded with discussions around the subject matter.
On February 27, 2025, the First Forum on "Business and Science: Application of Academic Knowledge in Industry and Innovation" was held at the Marble Hall of Khazar University. The event was organized by Khazar University and supported by the Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation, Azerbaijan-Turkey Business Association, Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association, and Energazer company. Participants included leaders of participating organizations, other organizations and companies, entrepreneurs, and medical specialists.
The main purpose of the event was to bring together scientific researchers and industry representatives to discuss the integration of scientific knowledge into the economy.
Khazar University's Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees, Prof. Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli, delivered a comprehensive report on the history of universities, their contributions to society, and their transformation into research centers in the modern era. He emphasized that academic knowledge should not remain within university walls but should be applied in real economy and industrial sectors to generate innovations.
Suleyman Majidli, founder and leader of Energazer company, spoke about the newly created "Khazar University Business Industry Club (KUBIC)", its goals and mission, which was established through the joint efforts of Khazar University and several leading Azerbaijani businessmen. He highlighted the importance of the university-business-industry triangle, promoting the application of academic knowledge in industry, strengthening university-industry cooperation, and supporting the startup environment. He also emphasized the importance of identifying and introducing skilled and educated students to the business world.
Forum participants, including Vugar Zeynalov (Vice President of the Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation), Zalbay Agaddasov (Board Member of the Azerbaijan-Türkiye Business Association), and Rashad Jabirli (Chairman of the Board of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association), spoke about the importance of university-industry collaboration, the significance of vocational education, and the value of joint projects with entrepreneurs.
The Forum continued with discussions, and participants put forward proposals for the development of university-industry cooperation.
At the end of the Forum, the organizers informed that this platform would be continuous and would create opportunities for new collaborations. "This forum is not just a meeting, but the beginning of future innovative projects," was emphasized.
On February 27, 2025, a training session titled “Inclusive Education within the Institutional Repository Network” was held within the framework of the ERASMUS+ DIRNA project, coordinated by Khazar University.
The training was attended by staff from universities participating in the project, including Khazar University, Baku State University, Azerbaijan Technical University, Academy of the State Customs Committee, Nakhchivan State University, Ganja State University, Lankaran State University, and Mingachevir State University, both in-person and online.
The trainer was Etir Guliyeva, a specialist from the Educational Innovations Department of the Education Institute. She first provided information about the history, purpose, strategy, and functions of the institutional repository.
She noted that the concept of inclusive education emerged in the 1980s, reaching its culmination with the Salamanca Statement in 1994. The statement's goal was to reduce the number of specialized educational institutions and encourage their integration into general education.
Guliyeva emphasized the irreplaceable role and close assistance of individuals with disabilities in ensuring services in inclusive education. She provided detailed information about digital resources and platforms that could be useful for inclusive education, such as Moodle, Ava Scribd, NVDA, Colour Oracle, Atbar, DocsPlus, and others, along with video and multimedia materials.
The "Red Hat – System Administration" training, jointly organized by Khazar University, the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, and Coders Azerbaijan, has been successfully completed.
At the closing ceremony held on February 22, 2025, at the Qafqaz Baku Hotel&Residence, Fakhrada Afandiyeva, Dean of the School of Science and Engineering at Khazar University, and Seymur Hamidov, co-founder and board member of Coders Azerbaijan, congratulated the students who completed the training and wished them success in their future endeavors.
Within the framework of the event, experts participated in a panel discussion on the topic "Cybersecurity Ecosystem: Training Local Personnel", sharing their perspectives on the importance of developing qualified local professionals in the field of cybersecurity.
At the conclusion of the event, graduates who successfully completed the training were presented with certificates and gifts.
The Department of Political Science and Philosophy at Khazar University has inaugurated a new academic series titled "Khazar Talks" starting from 2025. For its inaugural seminar, artificial intelligence, one of the world's most pertinent contemporary issues, was selected as the focal point. Subsequently, invitations were extended to Prof. Erman Akıllı from the Department of International Relations at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University and Dr. Gloria Özdemir from SETA. Following deliberations with the Turkish scholars, the program's theme was established as "Geopolitics of Technology." The academic seminar was successfully conducted on February 18-19, 2025.
The opening ceremony, held in the Marble Hall, drew participation from university administration, faculty members, students, and specialists. The event was particularly distinguished by the presence of Türkiye's newly appointed Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Prof. Birol Akgün, marking Khazar University as the first higher education institution visited during his tenure.
Associate Professor Orkhan Valiyev, Head of the Department of Political Science and Philosophy, moderated the opening program. In his address, he provided a concise overview of the Khazar Talks initiative and the organization of the technology geopolitics seminar. The ceremony commenced with the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Türkiye.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Academician Hamlet Isakhanli, founder of Khazar University and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees, welcomed Ambassador Prof. Birol Akgün and the distinguished guests, expressing gratitude for the ambassador's inaugural visit. Prof. Isaxanli elaborated on technology's transformative impact on politics, global change, and the unprecedented implications of artificial intelligence for human existence.
Ambassador Prof. Birol Akgün's address highlighted both the benefits and potential risks of technological advancement, emphasizing Turkey's emergence as a significant hub for new technology development, particularly in the defense industry sector. He also underscored the strategic alliance between Turkey and Azerbaijan within this context.
The first day featured lectures by Dr. Gloria Özdemir on "Introduction to AI" and "AI, International Relations, and Technopolar System," followed by an engaging Q&A session. Notably, Dr. Özdemir has commenced teaching "Geopolitics of Technology" at the graduate level at Khazar University this year.
The opening ceremony included a concert performance by the University Chamber Orchestra, led by Zulfiyya Sadigova, an honored teacher and renowned pianist who heads the Music and Fine Arts Department.
The second day of the seminar featured Prof. Erkan Akıllı's presentations on "Türkiye and Turkic World Cooperation in Technology" and "Counterterrorism, AI and Usage of AI in the Security of the Black Sea Region," followed by substantive discussions.
The event concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation and commemorative gifts to the guest speakers, facilitated by Associate Professor Telman Guliyev, Head of the History and Archaeology Department, and Alovsat Amirbayli, Director of Public Relations and Media. The seminar culminated with a commemorative photograph session.
The opening program received extensive coverage in both Azerbaijani and Turkish media outlets:
https://www.ekoturk.com/son-dakika/bakude-yapay-zeka-ve-sorumlu-kullanimi-konusuldu/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsCTZqHjvMg
On February 17, 2025, Khazar University hosted a seminar on “Global Trends and New Directions in Higher Education.” The seminar was presented by Prof. Dr. Engin Karadag, Director of the Research Center for International and Global Higher Education of Khazar University.
The event began with an opening speech by Dr. Razia Isayeva, the Dean of the School of Economics and Management, who provided an overview of the event’s agenda. Following this, Prof. Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli, founder of Khazar University and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees, gave a speech. He emphasized the importance of such seminars and expressed his gratitude to Prof. Dr. Engin Karadag.
Engin Karadag made a presentation focusing on the latest developments, challenges, and innovations that are shaping universities worldwide. He highlighted key trends, new teaching methods, and strategies that are influencing the future of higher education. It allowed participants to gain valuable insights into the future of higher education and to prepare for emerging challenges and opportunities.
Students from the School of Science and Engineering - Aysu Mammadli (Electrical and Electronics Engineering, 3rd year) and Leyla Yusifzade (Chemical Engineering, 3rd year) - secured second place with their AirVive project at the Clima Tech & Sustainability Hackathon - Baku 2025.
The hackathon, organized by the Agency for Innovation and Digital Development, Transformation Lighthouse, and Impulse 4Women companies, took place on February 8-9, 2025. The competition provided participants with the opportunity to develop innovative solutions in climate technology and sustainable development, presenting their visions for a healthier, more sustainable future.
The AirVive project was engineered as an intelligent air purification system with the capability to measure air quality and automatically implement appropriate purification processes. This innovative solution aims to contribute to environmental problem-solving and support human health by creating a more salubrious living environment.
On January 22, 2025, a webinar titled "Artificial Intelligence in Education and Research" was conducted under the Erasmus+ KA2 program's "Research Capacity Development through Institutional Repositories Network in Azerbaijan" (DIRNA) project, which is coordinated by Khazar University and funded by the European Commission.
The webinar was presented by Gültekin Gürdal, Library Director of İzmir Institute of Technology, and featured representatives from Khazar University and partner institutions participating in the DIRNA project, including Baku State University, Azerbaijan Technical University, Customs Committee Academy, Ganja State University, Nakhchivan State University, Mingachevir State University, and Lankaran State University.
The session comprehensively explored artificial intelligence, addressing its purpose, advantages, and strategic selection of AI tools for educational contexts. Particular emphasis was placed on emerging research tools that contemporary researchers can leverage when composing academic articles.
It was underlined how crucial it is to acquire knowledge and expertise relevant to the novel circumstances brought about by artificial intelligence.
On January 21-22, 2025, the Department of English Language and Literature organized a seminar on "Teacher Professional Development" presented by Michael Collins. The first day of the seminar addressed crucial topics such as classroom management, differentiation, and establishing classroom dialogue. The following day focused on important issues including providing proper feedback, practical application of vocabulary teaching, and supplementary teaching materials.
Teachers exchanged views on challenges they face in teaching English. The seminar, which was attended by nearly 30 teachers, was met with particular interest.
Teachers who participated in both days of the training received certificates endorsed by the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan.
An article titled "The Interrelation of Natural Environmental Factors with Mental Well-being" by Malak Karimova, coordinator of Khazar University's Psychology Department, and staff member Mirsadiq Mukhtarov, has been published in the "Scientific Works" journal of the Education Institute of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which is included in the Higher Attestation Commission's list (2024, Volume 91, No. 6).
The article extensively examines the impact of natural environmental factors on mental well-being. Based on international research, the authors systematically analyzed studies in this field. The article emphasized the positive effects of human contact with nature on their psychological state, with particular attention given to the importance of naturopathic therapy. Additionally, the article included specific proposals regarding the formation of ecological consciousness.
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