Erzurum Technical University (ETU) Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak, along with rectors of regional universities and TÜRKAZDER General President and Iğdır University Rector Prof. Dr. Ekrem Gürel, held a series of official meetings in Azerbaijan.

The delegation's first stop was Türkiye's Consul General in Nakhchivan, Asip Kaya. During the visit, discussions were made about strengthening academic, cultural, and social relations between Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

The delegation then met with Fuad Muradov, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Diaspora Committee, and exchanged ideas on possible joint projects between the two countries through diasporas.

A subsequent meeting with Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Science and Education Hasan Hasanlı addressed joint projects, academic exchange programs, and bilateral cooperation between Turkish and Azerbaijani universities. An agreement was reached to further deepen existing academic relations between the two countries.

The delegation also visited the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Baku, Prof. Dr. Birol Akgün, and made evaluations regarding the contacts.

As part of the program, important visits were made to Shusha, which had been liberated from Armenian occupation after 28 years. The historical and strategic importance of the region, considered the cultural capital of the Turkic world, was emphasized. Following this, Karabakh University was visited to discuss opportunities for inter-institutional cooperation.

On September 27, Azerbaijani Martyrs' Memorial Day, people visited the Martyrs' Memorial and prayed for the martyrs. They also visited the Martyrs' Lane in Baku, the Turkish Martyrs' Memorial, and the mausoleum of Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev, reiterating the historical foundations of the Turkish-Azerbaijani brotherhood.

The delegation recently met with officials from ADA University. During the meeting, comprehensive discussions were held on student exchanges, joint projects, and academic collaborations between the two countries' universities.

Commenting on the Azerbaijani contacts, ETÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak stated his belief that the meetings will further strengthen academic and cultural ties between the brotherly countries, saying, “The meetings we held in Azerbaijan are of great importance not only in terms of interuniversity cooperation but also in terms of our shared history, culture, and vision for the future. We have seen a strong will to establish a broad basis for cooperation between our scientific and educational institutions, from student and academic exchange to joint projects, from research infrastructure sharing to cultural events. In line with the principle of ‘two states, one nation,’ the contacts we have held in both Karabakh and Baku offer significant opportunities for both countries. As ETÜ, we are very pleased to be a stakeholder in this process. On this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude to the rectors of our regional universities, especially to TÜRKAZDER President and Iğdır University Rector Prof. Dr. Ekrem Gürel.”

Corporate Communications and Promotion Directorate 30.09.2025