On January 24, 2019, a memorandum of understanding between the Association of Private Universities (APU) and Khazar University was signed.

A meeting, with participation of Hamlet Isakhanli, Founder of Khazar University, Chairman of its Board of Directors and Trustees, was held to sign a memorandum of understanding and include Khazar University as a member into the Association. The meeting took place at “Neftchiler” campus of Khazar University.

Participants from the APU included Prof. Zaza Maruashvili, Executive Director of APU, Dr. Liza Amilakhvari, Head of International Relations Department, and Mikheil Dvalishvili, Head of New Technologies and Innovation Service. Participants from Khazar University included Dr. Hassan Niknafs, Rector; Prof. Mahammad Nuriyev, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs; Assoc. Prof. Irada Khalilova, Vice- rector for Research; Mrs. Raziya Isayeva, Head of Development Centre; Mrs. Lyudmila Sotova, Head of Quality Assurance Department, Ms. Turan Jafarova; Director of International Affairs Office, and Ms. Lamiya Panahova, Coordinator at International Affairs Office.

The Head of International Relations Department at APU Dr. Liza Amilakhvari delivered a presentation about the Association and provided information about the benefits of joining the APU. After the discussion of possible areas of cooperation, parties exchanged gifts and signed an MoU. Prof. Dr. Zaza Maruashvili presented the certificate of membership to Prof. Hamlet Isakhanli, congratulated him on becoming a member of the APU, and expressed wishes for a fruitful cooperation.

Association of Private Universities (APU) is an international organization that was legally established in 2017 in Tbilisi, Georgia. It currently unites high-ranking HEIs from Georgia, Romania, Ukraine, and Turkey. The Association reached out to Khazar University with a proposal to become one of the two member-universities from Azerbaijan.