Category: Azer News

The following students admitted to higher education institutions will be awarded Presidential scholarships, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has signed an order granting Presidential scholarships to students entering higher education institutions in Azerbaijan for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The order stipulates that students who achieved the highest results in the entrance exams within their respective fields of study and gained admission to Azerbaijani higher education institutions will receive Presidential scholarships:

Abdiyeva Ayla

Abduleeva Ayan

Abduleeva Maryam

Abdulsamadli Orkhan

Abdurahmanova Guhat

Aghamammadova Zeynab

Aghayev Aliakbar

Alizade Ziya

Allahyarli Farid

Babarabov Nijat

Babashli Aysel

Babayev Anar

Babayeva Jamila

Baghirov Raul

Bakhshaliyeva Aytaj

Bayramzade Gunay

Bakhtiyarova Royale

Jafarova Sehrin

Jannatov Fuad

Efendi Zahra

Ahmed Aisha

Ahmedzade Laman

Akberov Eljan

Akberova Nigar

Alili Mushfig

Aliyeva Fidan

Aliyeva Nazrin

Aliyeva Tamella

Alizade Sevinj

Alizade Sureyya

Ansarli Gler

Asgar Ilham

Azizli Sema

Fareczade Rahim

Hajiyeva Narmin

Hajizade Nihad

Hagverdi Ilham

Habibullazade Gulay

Halim Aydan

Hasanli Osman

Hasanov Fizuli

Hashimov Chingiz

Hummetli Chichek

Huseynli Arif

Huseynli Enes

Huseynova Aysu

Khalilova Aylin

Ibrahimli Gulay

Ibrahimov Emin

Ibrahimov Ali

Ismayilov Ali

Ismayilov Altay

Ismayilova Sema

Ismayilzade Khadija

Karimov Rajab

Garayev Rafael

Garibov Shukran

Goshgarov Muzaffar

Guluzade Nazrin

Gurbanli Kamaladdin

Gurbanov Mursel

Mahmudova Samra

Mansurov Eldar

Mammadli Mehri

Mammadov Abulhasan

Mammadov Ismayil

Mammadov Shahin

Mammadova Fidan

Mammadova Maryam

Mammadova Nazrin

Mirzazade Gunduz

Muradli Adil

Muradli Nuray

Musayev Shahin

Musazade Samad

Mustafayev Ibrahim

Mustafayeva Emiliya

Murshudlu Aykhan

Murvetova Gulay

Nadirli Tunar

Nasirov Kamran

Nazarzade Zaur

Nurmammedli Sona

Omar Jabir

Ramizli Zahra

Rahimli Oruj

Rahimova Khadija

Rustamov Nijat

Sadikhov Nijat

Sariyev Murad

Safarov Yusif

Safarova Aysel

Samadov Metin

Shabanova Rayyan

Shamilova Vusala

Sharifli Fidan

Shirinov Royal

Tahirli Zaman

Velizade Aygun

Velizade Babek

Yusifova Nazrin

Zeynalli Nilufer

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan is tasked with addressing the implementation of matters arising from this decree.

Baku Slavic University hosted the VI International Forum on ‘New Challenges in Education,’ attracting education officials, Ministry of Science and Education representatives, and international experts, Azernews reprots. The forum, dedicated to the ‘Year of Constitution and Sovereignty,’ was held under the motto ‘Towards a More Educated Future.’

Distinguished participants included Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); prominent Turkish psychologists Acar and Zuhal Baltas of the Baltas Group; Carolyn Wright, CEO of the British Educational Suppliers Association; and Roman Aliyev, Director of Riga Classical State Gymnasium, who shared their expertise and experiences.

The forum focused on balancing emotional intelligence and artificial intelligence in education, emphasizing the development of students and educators into their best possible versions.

In his address, Baku Slavic University Rector Anar Nagiyev highlighted that education in Azerbaijan has also ‘returned to Garabagh,’ noting the university’s efforts to prepare students for the modern labor market and promote inclusive education.

Deputy Minister of Science and Education Idris Isayev stressed that literacy in Azerbaijan is nearly 100% and underscored the central role of education in social development, human capital growth, and the preservation of national values. He emphasized that digital skills and the use of AI as an educational tool are increasingly essential for youth.

Andreas Schleicher added that collaborative teaching strengthens professional confidence and effectiveness, and that AI integration should enhance, not diminish, teachers’ creativity.

The forum continued with in-depth discussions and exchanges on the future of education in Azerbaijan and beyond.

The overall management and supervision of Azerbaijan International Bank (ABB) and Azer-Turk Bank will now be conducted by their respective Supervisory Boards, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has made amendments to multiple presidential decrees, including the decree dated August 7, 2009, on transferring Azerbaijan International Bank OJSC to the management of Azerbaijan Investment Holding and related regulatory matters, the decree on the rules of state participation in the management of banks and non-bank credit institutions with state-owned shares, the February 9, 2009 decree on improving the activities of the Ministry of Finance, and the July 16, 2022 decree on improving the management of Azer-Turk Bank OJSC.

As a result of these amendments, the previous requirement that the Supervisory Boards include a specific number of members, including the chairperson, has been removed. For Azerbaijan International Bank, this requirement for five members has been lifted, allowing the Supervisory Board to carry out overall management and supervision with more flexibility. Similarly, for Azer-Turk Bank, the requirement for three members, including the chairperson, has been removed, and the Supervisory Board will now oversee the bank’s activities independently.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has shared a post on his social media on the fifth anniversary of the liberation of Jabrayil from Armenian occupation, Azernews reports.

Housing prices in Azerbaijan have increased by 46 percent over the past five years compared with June 2020, Azernews reports, citing the Central Bank of Azerbaijan.

According to the CBA, prices in both the primary and secondary housing markets have been on the rise. While the real estate market remained relatively stable in 2020 due to the pandemic, subsequent years have seen clear upward trends.

In the first half of 2025, the increase in housing prices, along with higher average interest rates on newly issued domestic mortgage loans, contributed to a decline in the housing affordability index. At the same time, the positive dynamics in households’ disposable income kept the index above its benchmark level.

Open-source data on the housing market shows that by the end of June, the median monthly rent in Baku reached 883 manats, translating into a capitalization period of 22.5 years. The ratio of average housing prices to the average monthly nominal salary in Baku stood at 217 months, or 18.1 years.

Although investments in the construction sector have fluctuated over time, the share of financing directed toward residential housing within total capital investments has been growing. This trend has strengthened in recent years, contributing to higher market activity.

According to the report, the increase in residential construction investments has been driven by both strong demand and new projects initiated by the state and private sector.

‘Overall, the recovery of investment flows, the large-scale construction and reconstruction work carried out in the country, and the ongoing process of legalizing undocumented housing by presidential decree are expected to keep activity in the construction and real estate markets at a high level,’ the CBA noted.

Azerbaijani boxer Subhan Babayev has kicked off the U-19 European Championship with a win, Azernews reports.

The national team member competing in the 60 kg weight category eliminated Luka Crnogorac (Croatia) in the round of 16.

The boxer defeated his opponent with a score of 3:1 (29:27, 28:27, 29:27, 28:28, 27:29).

Babayev will face Simonas Puniskis (Lithuania) in the quarterfinals. The bout is scheduled for October 4.

It should be noted that the European Championship will conclude on October 9.

Boxing is recognized as one of the oldest sports in human history, with the earliest records of the sport dating back to ancient Egypt around 3,000 BC.

The Greeks introduced boxing to the ancient Olympic Games in the late 7th century BC.

In 1924, the International Amateur Boxing Federation (FIBA) was founded, and in 1946, it was renamed the International Boxing Association (AIBA). Boxing made its Olympic debut at the 1904 Games in St. Louis.

Azerbaijan hosted its first boxing championship in 1926, with national boxers claiming first place. Since 1992, the Azerbaijani Boxing Federation has been a full member of AIBA.

Azerbaijani boxers have earned numerous prestigious accolades in international competitions. Aghasi Mammadov made history by becoming Azerbaijan’s first gold medalist at the World Championships. Fuad Asadov also earned a spot on the podium at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Azerbaijan has been chosen multiple times to host major boxing events.

In 2019, Baku hosted the AIBA Youth World Championships, which was the first youth tournament to serve as a qualifier for the 2010 Singapore Olympics.

The country also hosted the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships, which served as the primary qualification event for the London 2012 Olympics.

A presentation of the anthology “Classic Czech Short Stories” has taken place in Baku, Azernews reports.

The book was published by “Elm v? T?hsil” Publishing House, edited by Ivana Bozdechová and Jaroslav Olša Jr., with stories translated from Czech into Azerbaijani by Shabnam Asadova.

The presentation was attended by diplomats, public figures, members of the Azerbaijani intellectual community, scholars, journalists, and literature lovers.

Milan Sedlácek, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan emphasized that the publication of Czech short stories in Azerbaijani would strengthen Czech-Azerbaijani cultural relations and provide Azerbaijani readers with an opportunity to explore Czech literature more deeply.

He pointed out that this was a historic moment, as for the first time, works by 14 Czech authors were translated into Azerbaijani and published in a single collection. The project showcased Czech literature from the 19th century to the modern era.

In his speech, Sedlácek noted that Azerbaijani readers could gain a broader understanding of Czech literature by exploring such a diverse selection of works. He also mentioned that if readers were drawn to any particular writer, they would be encouraged to seek out their other works, thus further immersing themselves in Czech prose.

The Ambassador highlighted that the anthology is a continuation of cultural exchange between the two nations, referring to the release of an Azerbaijani short story collection in Czech three years earlier in Prague, edited by Bozdechová. He expressed hope that such initiatives would continue through collaborative literary and cultural projects in the future.

Dr. Ivana Bozdechová, the editor of the collection, stressed that “Classic Czech Short Stories” is a unique anthology featuring works by 14 Czech authors, including both 19th-century writers and those who became literary icons in their lifetimes. She shared her personal connection with some of these authors, with whom she had the privilege of meeting.

Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Bozdechová explained that she first came to Azerbaijan 10 years ago to teach Czech at Baku Slavic University. Over time, she grew fascinated with the country and its rich culture.

Recognizing that Czech readers were largely unfamiliar with Azerbaijani literature, she decided to introduce them to works by Azerbaijani writers. This effort resulted in the publication of the “Sari G?lin” anthology, translated by Shabnam Asadova, for which Dr. Bozdechová also served as editor.

She noted that the current project “Classic Czech Short Stories” aimed to introduce Azerbaijani readers to Czech literature. After carefully selecting works for the anthology, they were translated into Azerbaijani by Asadova. Dr. Bozdechová expressed her belief that this project would help both nations gain a better understanding of each other’s culture, enriching their spiritual lives.

She also thanked the Czech Embassy in Azerbaijan and everyone who contributed to the realization of the project.

The event also featured readings from selected stories in both Czech, read by Dr. Bozdechová, and Azerbaijani, read by Azerbaijani poetess Leyla Begim Jafarova, which sparked considerable interest among the audience.

Bilateral memorandums of cooperation have been signed between the National Libraries of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, Azernews reports.

Trilateral memorandum has been signed involving the National Library of Azerbaijan, the Institute of Manuscripts named after Muhammad Fuzuli of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), and the National Library of Morocco. The documents were inked as part of the 11th Baku International Book Fair.

In his speech during the ceremony, the Director of the National Library, Professor Karim Tahirov, provided information about the library’s international cooperation. He highlighted that Azerbaijan has signed cooperation memorandums with the national libraries of 54 countries to date. Tahirov emphasized that these new agreements would create new opportunities for book and information exchange, the establishment of literature corners, the use of electronic resources, the exchange of expertise, exhibitions, conferences, and online services.

Ayhan Tuglu, Director of the National Library of the Republic of Turkiye, noted that the signed document would contribute to the development of cultural and scientific cooperation between the two countries.

President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Academician Isa Habibbayli, stated that the signing ceremonies held within the framework of the international book fair would make a significant contribution to strengthening international relations in the fields of science, education, and culture.

Samira El Malizi, Director of the National Library of Morocco, remarked that libraries play a bridging role between nations, and the signed trilateral memorandum would open new opportunities for future joint projects, exhibitions, and scientific research.

With over 5 million books, manuscripts, and maps, the Azerbaijan National Library is considered one of the largest libraries in the Caucasus region. Since 1939, the library has borne the name of the eminent playwright Mirza Fatali Akhundov.

The library has an extensive collection of literature in Azerbaijani, Russian, English, and other languages. It has collected and preserved national editions, works of Azerbaijani and foreign authors about Azerbaijan published abroad.

The National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, visited the National Library four times in 1995-1997 and donated nearly 300 books from his personal library.

In 2004, the Mirza Fatali Akhundov Library was granted the status of a national library by the decision of Azerbaijan’s Cabinet of Ministers.

The building of the library is no less impressive. The library’s fa?ade is decorated with the statues of eminent poets and writers like Nizami Ganjavi, Mahsati Ganjavi, Uzeyir Hajibayli, Shota Rustaveli, Alexander Pushkin and many others.

The scope of the library’s activities is constantly expanding. In 2005, on the basis of legal copies received from publishing houses and printing companies, the library published the yearbook “Books of Azerbaijan” for 1990, 1991, 2000, and 2001.

Over the past years, the National Library has signed a memorandum on bilateral mutual cooperation with about 80 libraries.

In 2021, the Culture Ministry and Mirza Fatali Akhundov Library launched a joint campaign, “Let’s go to Garabagh with a book”, to restore libraries in the Garabagh region.

A large number of books were donated to the Garabagh Book Fund by a number of international organizations working in the field of culture, Turkic-speaking countries, famous foreign and local authors, publishers, and printing houses.

In 2025, Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) as w officially signed between the National Libraries of Tajikistan and Azerbaijan during a ceremony held in Dushanbe.

The agreement was inked by the director of the Azerbaijani National Library, Karim Tahirov, and the director of the Tajikistan National Library, Farzalizada Jumakhon.

This memorandum provides a framework for enhanced collaboration between the two institutions, emphasising the exchange of books, publications, and other cultural materials to foster mutual understanding and strengthen the cultural ties between the two nations.

It also sets the stage for joint activities and projects aimed at promoting literacy, preserving cultural heritage, and supporting scholarly research.

A delegation from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Center, operating under the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, has been on a business trip to South Korea, Azernews reports.

It was noted that the visit took place as part of a project implemented under a memorandum signed between the Culture Ministry and ADA University. The main purpose of the trip was to learn about South Korea’s experience in the development of cultural and creative industries, as well as to discuss new cooperation opportunities in the fields of innovation and technology.

The delegation participated in the “EdTech 2025” exhibition held in Seoul and familiarized themselves with educational programs at the Korea Museum of Contemporary Art. Meetings at the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) focused on the international exchange of creative content and the implementation of joint projects.

As part of the program, the delegation also visited the country’s leading science and innovation center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). During the visit, they were introduced to the “Startup KAIST” program and provided information on projects at the intersection of culture and technology.

As a result of the visit, it is expected that Azerbaijan’s creative industries will expand their international cooperation network, new opportunities will arise for young people, and the country’s creative ecosystem will be enriched with global trends.

A presentation of ” Classic Czech Short Stories”, an anthology edited by Dr. Ivana Bozdechová from Charles University and Jaroslav Olša, Jr, has taken place in Baku.

The translation into Azerbaijani was carried out by Shabnam Asadova, a renowned translator.

The publication of the book in Azerbaijani by the “Elm v? T?hsil N?sriyyati” Publishing House represents an important step forward in the cultural exchange between the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan.

In an interview with AZERNEWS, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan Milan Sedlácek emphasized the significance of this publication for strengthening the cultural ties between the two countries.

He highlighted that this was the first-ever translation of Czech literature into Azerbaijani, describing it as a “momentous step” towards building a stronger cultural connection between the two nations.

Q: How do you assess the significance of publishing the anthology for strengthening cultural ties between our countries?

A: As I pointed out during the opening ceremony, this is a truly momentous occasion, as it represents the first-ever translation of Czech literature into Azerbaijani.

I believe such events do not happen very often. I am very glad that we were able to dedicate three years to preparing this project.

In my opinion, this is an important step in the development of our political and economic relations.

Q: What contribution does your project make to the development of bilateral relations?

A: This anthology covers Czech literature from the 19th century to the present, which allows the reader to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Czech literary tradition.

This is a very significant aspect for a single book. After reading it, the reader may become interested in the works of such authors as Karel Capek, Jaroslav Hašek, and other prominent Czech writers. This will give them the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and continue exploring further. If there is demand, we will continue to translate and publish new works.

It is also worth noting that this is not the second book in this series, as the first one was a collection of Azerbaijani short stories translated into Czech. This project was carried out by one translator, Shabnam Asadova.

The anthology includes Azerbaijani short stories. This project was completed three years ago, and now, as a continuation, we have presented this new anthology.

Q: What initiatives are being undertaken to further expand cultural ties between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic, as well as in other areas?

A: One of the key steps, in my opinion, is the opening of the Azerbaijani House in Prague. This is a significant event for the development of cultural exchanges. I know that the director of the Azerbaijani House is actively working in this direction. Many cultural events are held at the Azerbaijani House, and, as is well known, culture is always closely linked to economic development.

When the economy prospers, successful businesses emerge that support culture.

We are actively working in this direction, and the economic ties are already showing positive results. I hope that based on this, we will continue to develop both cultural and educational projects.