Baku: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella, on an official visit to Azerbaijan, attended the inauguration of the first campus of the Italy-Azerbaijan University in Baku. The event, which took place on October 1, was reported by APA.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Rector of ADA University Hafiz Pashayev provided an overview of the new campus and adjacent park to the distinguished guests. The delegation also explored an exhibition of agricultural products from both nations, organized within the campus. The initiative for the Italy-Azerbaijan University was first proposed by President Ilham Aliyev during a 2020 state visit to Italy. Academic cooperation agreements were later signed in 2022 between ADA University and five prominent Italian universities, including Luiss Guido Carli University, Sapienza University of Rome, and the Polytechnic Universities of Turin and Milan.
The project aims to bring Italy’s expertise in various sectors such as small and medium-sized enterprises, creative industries, and technological development to Azerbaijan. It seeks to train future specialists for key sectors of Azerbaijan’s economy, focusing on fields like engineering, agriculture, architecture, and design. The university, which began admitting students in 2023, currently hosts 538 students in bachelor’s programs and 102 in master’s programs. It offers dual-degree specializations and professional development courses across various disciplines.
The campus features modern classrooms, research and teaching laboratories, a library, and design workshops. Notably, the campus includes a ‘market square’ symbolizing Azerbaijan’s historical role on the Silk Road, where students and faculty will annually present projects to the business community. This initiative aims to foster trilateral cooperation between the university, industry, and the state.
The establishment of the Italy-Azerbaijan University reflects the high level of humanitarian cooperation between the two countries and contributes significantly to Azerbaijan’s educational landscape. After touring the campus, the leaders met with Italian university representatives and the university community.
In his address, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the significance of the day as a milestone in Azerbaijani-Italian relations, expressing optimism about the university’s future. He emphasized the role of education and technology in a country’s development and outlined the strategic nature of Azerbaijani-Italian cooperation, which now includes education alongside energy and industry.
President Sergio Mattarella also delivered remarks, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to inaugurate the campus and highlighting the growing friendship between Italy and Azerbaijan. He praised the university as a symbol of cultural and educational exchange, underscoring its role in fostering international cooperation and youth education.
The event concluded with acknowledgments from both leaders for the collaborative efforts that made the establishment of the Italy-Azerbaijan University possible.