A delegation from Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) visited Hacettepe University on 24 November 2025 under the cooperation protocol previously signed between the two institutions. The meeting was held at the Beytepe Campus with the participation of representatives from the Office of External Relations and the Digital Transformation and Informatics Coordination Office and was chaired by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Sibel Aksu Yıldırım on behalf of Hacettepe University.
The UNEC delegation, led by Vice Rector and Director of the Zaqatala Branch, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raqif Qasımov, paid a visit with a group of academic and administrative representatives. The delegation shared comprehensive information about the universities, stating that UNEC is one of Azerbaijan's two largest higher education institutions with over 20,000 students and that it has a broad academic structure with 13 faculties, programs conducted in four languages, 48 research centers, and four different campuses. It was also shared that the university ranks first in Azerbaijan in THE and QS rankings and offers eight dual degree programs in collaboration with eight international universities.
The meeting, which began with presentations by the universities, turned into a productive discussion on opportunities for mutual cooperation. The UNEC delegation evaluated the possibilities and conditions for student and staff mobility. Collaborations in research areas were also one of the important agenda items of the meeting. UNEC representatives stated that they wish to conduct joint research in areas such as economics, management-organization, finance, and social services, and to support researcher exchange. They emphasized that they give particular attention to Q1-level publications in line with the university's goal of entering the top 500 in world rankings by 2030, which will be the 100th anniversary of its founding. In this regard, they stated that sharing academic experience and good practices with Hacettepe University is of great value to them.
In the final part of the meeting, information regarding international rankings was exchanged. Lect. Dr. Merve Belgin Doğruluk from the Digital Transformation and Informatics Coordination Office provided detailed information about Hacettepe University's ranking processes and evaluated UNEC's rankings, pointing out opportunities for cooperation in this area between the two universities. Prof. Dr. Sibel Aksu Yıldırım emphasized that Hacettepe University Rectorate would provide all kinds of support but stressed the importance of implementing concrete projects in the relevant units to ensure that collaborations could be effectively sustained.
The meeting, which is expected to accelerate the cooperation processes between the two universities, concluded with a photo session and the presentation of symbolic gifts.
