Visit of the President of the Council of Higher Education of Turkey to Baku; Mapping the 2030 Roadmap for the Joint University

Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education of Turkey (YÖK), arrived in Baku on July 6, 2026, to participate in key meetings for the future of academic cooperation between Ankara and Baku. This visit, which has been in the spotlight of regional media, signifies the deepening of scientific relations between the two countries within the framework of modern educational models [1].

Board of Trustees Meeting and the 2030 Vision The main focus of this trip was attending the 7th Board of Trustees meeting of the Turkey-Azerbaijan University (TAU). In this meeting, hosted by Emin Amrullayev, Azerbaijan's Minister of Science and Education, the annual report of the university's activities was reviewed, and strategic priorities for the coming years were determined [2]. Özvar emphasized during the meeting that the university has now passed the establishment phase and entered a phase of sustainable growth. One of the most important outcomes of this meeting was the finalization of the "2030 Development Strategy," which includes expanding student enrollment capacity and upgrading educational standards [3].

The Role of Top Turkish Universities in Baku One of the unique features of the Turkey-Azerbaijan University is utilizing the capacity of leading Turkish universities. Erol Özvar announced that in the new phase of development, major universities such as Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ), Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), and Hacettepe University will be responsible for implementing graduate and research programs [1]. This collaboration allows Azerbaijani students to benefit from the expertise and educational quality of Turkey's top scientific institutions without leaving their country. Özvar called this model an "Umbrella University," which could become a model for other countries in the region [3].

Construction of a New Campus and Research Infrastructure In another part of the discussions, the selection of land and the construction of an independent campus for the Turkey-Azerbaijan University were examined. Özvar noted that to become a regional scientific center, modern laboratory and welfare infrastructure are necessary [2]. Furthermore, cooperation with Karabakh University is also on the agenda so that Turkey's academic knowledge and experience can play a role in the reconstruction and development of Azerbaijan's liberated regions [1].

Strengthening Scientific Ties in the Turkic World The President of YÖK, in his statements in Baku, described this project as more than just a bilateral cooperation, calling it a step toward creating a "Common Higher Education Area in the Turkic World" [3]. Referring to the support of the presidents of both countries, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ilham Aliyev, he emphasized that this university will serve not only students from both countries but also applicants from across the region, soon becoming one of the main hubs for research and development in the Caucasus [2].