Fifteen students from the Faculty of Geology at Baku State University (BSU) have been awarded scholarships by seven private companies as part of a university–industry partnership initiative.

Speaking at the scholarship award ceremony, BSU Rector Elchin Babayev described the initiative as an important demonstration of confidence in the partnership between academia and industry and in the future of young people.

Noting that Azerbaijan has abundant natural resources, a well-established geological school and developing industrial infrastructure, Babayev stressed the importance of joint efforts to train specialists equipped for modern industry. He emphasised that geological education must respond to industry’s practical needs, rapidly evolving research methods and technological advances.

On behalf of the university, the rector thanked the partner companies — CM Tech LLC, Atlas ES LLC, AZ Geo LLC, A-A LLC, AT-Geotech LLC, CQA International Ltd and Azerbaijan International Mining Company — for supporting the students.

Mamoy Mansurov, Dean of the Faculty of Geology, spoke about GeoCamp, a student summer camp held in August as the first stage of the scholarship programme. He highlighted the wide range of internship opportunities offered by the participating companies and encouraged students to take a more active part in similar initiatives.

Other speakers at the ceremony included Azer Shukurov, Head of AZ Geo LLC; Nasir Abdullayev, Head of CM Tech LLC; Nijat Hajiyev, Head of AT-Geotech LLC; Academician Vasif Babazadeh, Head of BSU’s Department of Mineral Resources; and Nermin Asadullayeva, a first-year master’s student and scholarship recipient.

The ceremony concluded with representatives of the participating companies presenting awards to the scholarship recipients.