Baku State University (BSU) established the Center of Excellence in Research, Development, and Innovation, marking a significant milestone in enhancing the university's research capabilities. This center plays a pivotal role in advancing both undergraduate and postgraduate programs through its curriculum, teaching, and supervision efforts. With over 70 researchers and nine dedicated research labs, the Center is a hub of intellectual exploration.
The Center's focus spans across various industrial domains, including the oil and gas industry, mining, agriculture, food security, nanotechnology, molecular biology, virology, biotechnology, industrial chemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental sustainability, earth sciences, climate action, astrospace, atmospheric sciences, and digital research. The outcomes of research conducted here are seamlessly integrated into the academic programs, benefiting undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students alike.
Furthermore, the Center collaborates closely with the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan (KOBIA) to foster partnerships among the public, private, and industrial sectors, driven by mutual interests. BSU is also set to establish an Incubation and Acceleration Collab to support these partnerships.
One of the primary objectives of the Center is to ensure universal access to high-quality higher education for students at BSU and beyond. It aims to equip learners with the knowledge and skills required to promote sustainable development, economic growth, productivity, technological innovation, entrepreneurship, and research and development.
To facilitate technology transfer, BSU has established BUILD Limited Liability Company, supported by KOBIA, serving as a technology transfer office. This initiative aligns with global goals such as Decent Work and Economic Growth and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
BSU's involvement in the ITACA project entails collaboration on an Innovative Training Center to address environmental emergencies in Azerbaijan, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 11 and 12. The ITACA project focuses on creating and establishing a state-of-the-art Training Center in collaboration with both EU and local institutions, alongside enterprises specializing in the environmental impact of oil and gas production. This initiative aims to foster a robust partnership between academia and industry by providing comprehensive training to graduate students, preparing them for careers in this specialized sector.
The Geoclic Project seeks to modernize and internationalize training in monitoring and protecting coastal ecosystems using advanced geospatial technologies, big data, and remote sensing. It targets undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, all while aligning with SDG 4 and SDG 11.
Research on novel phytohormone derivatives, impacting the immunological resistance of various cotton genotypes, contributes to SDG 8.
Ongoing research and environmental service collaboration between BSU and the Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery address SDG 11, SDG 12, and SDG 13.
Finally, the synthesis of Polyfunctional Polymeric Adsorbents with Nano-size Pores for purifying various waste waters from heavy metals, oil, and oil products aligns with SDG 7, SDG 12, and SDG 13.
The research on ecology, encompassing plants, animals, microorganisms, and humans, and the application of geoinformation systems for environmental monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and bioresource assessment, contributes to SDG 6, SDG 14, and SDG 15. These multifaceted efforts underscore BSU's commitment to addressing critical global challenges while advancing research, education, and innovation.