As part of the celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of Khazar University, a rectors' forum titled "The University of the Future: Research, AI and Innovation" was held on March 18, 2026, in the Marble Hall. The forum was opened with introductory remarks by the rector, Dr. Razia Isaeva, who highlighted the importance of discussing the changes taking place in global higher education, as well as the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education. Dr. Isaeva also noted that Khazar University's anniversary events would continue throughout the year.

The founder of Khazar University and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees, Prof. Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli, welcomed the participants and wished success to the forum's proceedings. He noted that such discussions are valuable in terms of generating ideas and proposals for overcoming existing challenges in higher education, as well as fostering collective thinking. Emphasizing that the massification of higher education is a positive factor, Isakhanli also stressed the importance of not overlooking how this massification affects quality. He noted that AI has begun to transform life itself. Many things are moving away from the traditional, and therefore education too demands new approaches and innovative attitudes.

Prof. Dr. Süleyman Kızıltoprak, rector of Kütahya Dumlupınar University in Türkiye, delivered a presentation on "The Hybrid Future of Social Sciences."

The forum then continued with panel discussions moderated by Khazar rector Dr. Razia Isaeva. Participants in the discussions included Prof. Dr. Atilla Arkan, rector of Ibn Haldun University; Dr. Assylbek Kozhakmetov, rector of Almaty Management University; Mikael Cowgill, co-founder and president of the Georgian-American University; Prof. Bahodir Turayev, rector of the International Turkic States University; and Kanat Kojakhmet, rector of Narxoz University.

The forum concluded with a question-and-answer session for participants.