Launch of Italy-Azerbaijan University

On September 1st, at the new headquarters of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Italy, in Rome, a ceremony was held to exchange the previously signed agreements on academic cooperation regarding the Italy-Azerbaijan University. The university will be based in Baku, housed on the campus of ADA University. The event was opened by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, who was in Italy on a working visit. 

In addition to the Rector of ADA University, Hafiz Pashayev, the event was attended by the heads of the five major Italian universities involved: the Vice President of Luiss Guido Carli University, Paola Severino; the Rector of Sapienza University of Rome, Antonella Polimeni; the Rector of the Polytechnic University of Turin, Guido Saracco; the Deputy Vice Rector of the University of Bologna, Simona Tondelli; and the Director of the Design Department at the Polytechnic University of Milan, Alessandro Deserti. 

In his opening remarks, President Ilham Aliyev expressed particular joy that the first event at the new headquarters focused on education. “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in Italy-Azerbaijan relations. We are launching a new, large-scale cooperation in the field of education,” he said, recalling the history of the project to create the Italy-Azerbaijan University. He first proposed the idea in 2020, and in just two years, the first stone was laid in April of this year during Minister Di Maio’s visit to Azerbaijan. 

“In Azerbaijan, we channel revenues from natural resources toward human capital, and today's event is clear evidence of that,” emphasized the President, who expressed confidence that “the Italian-Azerbaijani University will become a hub of friendship” between the two countries. 

Next, speaking on behalf of the Italian institutions, the Undersecretary for Ecological Transition, Vannia Gava, emphasized the importance of creating the Italian-Azerbaijani University and its strategic role in bilateral relations. She described it as both a milestone and a starting point “for a promising future to be written together.”

Representing Italian universities, the Vice President of Luiss Guido Carli University, Paola Severino, then took the floor, speaking of a “cultural bridge” between two countries and two cultures. 

At the end of the speeches, the rector of ADA University, Hafiz Pashayev, expressed his excitement about a historic day that will take “the bonds of friendship and collaboration” between Baku and Rome “to a new level,” enabling the “training of excellent specialists for the economy of the future.” 

The memorandum of understanding for the Italian-Azerbaijani University, between ADA University and five leading Italian universities, was signed in September 2021.

The Italy-Azerbaijan University aims to support Azerbaijan's growth aspirations. The country seeks to innovate while remaining rooted in its cultural identity and traditions, and the university will help by leveraging the expertise of Made in Italy.

The program's portfolio aims to build management and workforce capabilities in strategic sectors and high-demand areas. To develop the programs, ADA will draw on the exceptional expertise of leading Italian universities, particularly Luiss for conscious brand management, the University of Bologna for food and agriculture, the Polytechnic University of Milan and Sapienza University of Rome for architecture, design, and urban planning, and the Polytechnic University of Turin for various engineering fields, including sustainable energy.

The academic programs will be complemented by technology labs, a fabrication room, a design center, a business incubator, and a “bazaar,” all of which will serve as strong links to industry and Italy. The Italy-Azerbaijan University will serve as a hub for the transfer of research, technology, expertise, and innovation between the two countries.