AZCON and AzTU Launch AZSET Programme, a New Model in Engineering Education

The presentation ceremony of the AZCON School of Engineering and Technology (AZSET), established through the cooperation between AZCON Holding and Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU), with academic support from TUM International GmbH (TUMint), was held.

Speaking at the ceremony were Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev, Managing Director of TUM International GmbH Friederike Hettinger, and Rector of AzTU Vilayat Valiyev.

In his speech, Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev stated that international experience shows that cooperation between universities, innovation-oriented companies, and business entities yields more effective results.

The Minister noted that one of the key objectives is for higher education institutions to make a greater contribution to economic development and the formation of an innovative environment. According to him, achieving successful results in this direction is possible through strengthening the capacity of universities.

Emin Amrullayev emphasized that cooperation with German universities and leading innovation-oriented companies contributes to the future of Azerbaijani youth and students. The Minister noted that while activities in this field had previously been carried out separately, the main objective now is to integrate them into a unified cooperation platform.

He also emphasized the particularly important role of business representatives and partners involved in implementing the initiative.

At the end of his speech, Emin Amrullayev expressed his gratitude to the partners and emphasized that the emerging cooperation model, as a strong platform for collaboration between business, universities, and international partners, serves Azerbaijan’s development goals.

Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev noted in his speech that the newly established school forms an innovative cooperation model in Azerbaijan, based on more practical collaboration between industry and higher education, aligned with international academic quality standards and focused on the technological professions of the future. He stated that the AZSET programme can be regarded as a strategic investment in the development of Azerbaijan’s technological human capital.

Rashad Nabiyev further stated that students will have the opportunity to study in Azerbaijan without leaving the country, based on a modern educational programme developed in line with the quality standards of the Technical University of Munich. Within the framework of the programme, each student will be directly connected to one of the companies operating within the AZCON Holding ecosystem and will gain practical experience by working on real projects.

Friederike Hettinger, Managing Director of TUM International GmbH, stated that it is a great honour for her to announce a partnership that is both ambitious and strategically significant for Azerbaijan’s future. She noted that they are starting with a Bachelor’s programme in Computer Science and will subsequently introduce a Bachelor’s programme in Computer Engineering.

“This is not merely the opening of a new school. It is the beginning of a long-term commitment aimed at establishing a regional center of excellence in Baku in the fields of computer science, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity,” the Managing Director emphasized.

AzTU Rector Vilayat Valiyev noted in his speech that the AZSET project is an investment in Azerbaijan’s digital future, a new model of university–industry cooperation, and a strategic step towards regional technological leadership. He emphasized that the main outcomes of the project will be highly skilled engineers, new technologies, a startup ecosystem, and internationally competitive human capital.

Following this, an agreement on the establishment of the AZCON School of Engineering and Technology  was signed. The agreement was signed by Shahin Babayev, Executive Director of AZCON Holding, Vilayat Valiyev, Rector of Azerbaijan Technical University, and Friederike Hettinger, Managing Director of TUM International GmbH.

Information about the AZSET programme:

The AZCON School of Engineering and Technology, established under Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU), will operate with the support of TUM International, the international academic partnership platform of TUM. In this way, world-class academic experience will be integrated into the AZSET programme’s teaching model. TUM specialists will participate in the teaching process both in person in Baku and online. The educational process will be delivered by instructors trained in accordance with TUMint’s academic approach, curriculum, teaching methodology, and assessment standards.

In the school aimed at training internationally qualified specialists, instruction will be conducted entirely in English. The AZSET programme is designed for students who have completed their first year in relevant fields of education, natural sciences, engineering, and technology at higher education institutions in Azerbaijan. Applicants are required to have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 81 or higher for both semesters of the first year, as well as English language proficiency at a minimum of B2 level. Registration for the internal entrance examination will take place from June 15 to July 15 of the current year. Successful candidates will continue their studies in this programme from their second year.

Students with outstanding academic performance will be provided with study visits to the TUM campus in Munich. Graduates who successfully complete the programme will receive a state-recognised Bachelor’s degree from AzTU, as well as a certificate from TUM International GmbH. In addition, career opportunities will be created within companies operating in the AZCON Holding ecosystem for graduates distinguished by high academic performance.

For detailed information about the AZSET programme, please visit: www.azsetedu.az