The Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC) of the Republic of Azerbaijan organized a public lecture at the Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry (ASUOI) on the topic “Economic Reforms in Azerbaijan: Achievements and Prospects.”

ASUOI Rector, Professor Mustafa Babanli, welcomed the participants and provided a brief overview of the university’s activities. He noted that the renaming of the university in 2015 to Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry set broad responsibilities for training highly qualified specialists for both the oil and non-oil sectors. Rector Babanli emphasized that the primary goal of ASUOI is to prepare competitive, highly skilled professionals capable of meeting the needs of Azerbaijan’s developing economy and the global labor market. He added that these efforts are aligned with President Ilham Aliyev’s call to transform oil capital into human capital and highlighted that ASUOI implements an education system that integrates teaching, research, and innovation.

The rector also mentioned that several student projects developed at ASUOI’s “START” Startup and Innovation Center are in the final stages of being launched in the market under the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand. He highlighted the university’s interest in collaborating with CAERC in this area and noted that the recent agreement for ASUOI students to undertake internships at CAERC opens additional opportunities for expanding university-institution cooperation. Rector Babanli stressed the importance of informing students—tomorrow’s specialists—about ongoing economic reforms and encouraged active participation.

During the public lecture, CAERC Executive Director Vusal Qasimli stated that Azerbaijan has not only overcome the crisis through economic reforms but has also made significant progress in the rankings of the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, becoming one of the top three reformist countries in the Europe and Central Asia region: “Reforms are not limited to improving legislation and establishing new institutions; implementation is crucial. The involvement of young, talented, and patriotic specialists is essential during the execution of reforms. The labor market must adapt to the development prospects and diversification policies of the economy.”

Vusal Qasimli also emphasized the importance of raising awareness among young specialists and academic staff about reforms, noting that universities play a vital role both in promoting and generating reforms.

At the conclusion of the event, it was agreed that a group of ASUOI students would undertake internships at CAERC.

It should be noted that CAERC organizes such series of meetings at leading universities in Azerbaijan to inform students and faculty about economic reforms, provide comprehensive knowledge about ongoing processes, and gather their perspectives on these reforms.