The second training session of the " Developing Research Capacity through Institutional Repository Network in Azerbaijan " (DIRNA) project, funded by the European Union's "Erasmus+ K2" program and coordinated by Khazar University, took place at L'Aquila University in Italy. From March 12 to 14, 2024, the training, drawing on the experiences of universities in Türkiye, Italy, and Finland, aimed to establish a network of institutional repositories (electronic archives) accessible to all within 8 higher education institutions in Azerbaijan.
In addition to Khazar University, seven partner universities in Azerbaijan—Baku State University, Azerbaijan Technical University, Academy of the State Customs Committee, Ganja State University, Nakhchivan State University, Lankaran State University, and Mingachevir State University—participated in the educational program. Tatyana Zaytseva, the director of the Library Information Center, and Aytac Misgarli, the deputy director, represented Khazar University at the event.
On the first day of the training, L'Aquila University Rector's Adviser on International Relations Anna Tozzi welcomed the guests, then University Library Director Dr. Grazia Di Bartolomeo elucidated the pivotal role of the University Library in fostering the institution's educational and research endeavors.
On the second day of the training, presentations and discussions were held about IRIS open access resources in the research information system of the university. Later, tours were organized to the library branches of the university.
On the last day, a presentation on Open Data was held and all trainings were discussed. In general, the training period encompassed presentations covering various aspects of the library system, including its activities, missions, website, open resources, subscription databases, repository system, and online networks of Italian libraries.