As part of the “Enhancement of Green and Sustainable Economy in Azerbaijani Universities: Renewable Energy and Climate Change Mitigation – REFRESH” project, in which Mingachevir State University (MSU) is a partner and Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) serves as the coordinator, an internship visit was conducted to KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden.

The visit included participation by Fariz Bayramov, Coordinator of the International Cooperation Office of MSU; Rauf Mammadov, Head of the Project Management Department of UNEC’s International Cooperation Department; and representatives from Lankaran State University, Ganja State University, Sumgayit State University, and Azerbaijan Technological University.

During the five-day visit, participants attended various events and seminars at KTH focused on energy technology, environmental sustainability, and higher education. Discussions emphasized the significance of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship at COP29.

In the opening session, KTH representative Viktor Kordas welcomed the Azerbaijani delegation and delivered an opening speech. Following this, Rauf Mammadov provided information on the activities of the REFRESH project and conducted a seminar. The seminar aimed to foster initial networking and idea exchange while focusing on KTH’s initiatives in energy, environmental protection, and climate change mitigation.

As part of the internship visit, a presentation on the activities of KTH’s Department of Energy Technologies was delivered. Participants toured laboratories dedicated to sustainable energy engineering, witnessing innovative technologies and sustainable practices firsthand. In subsequent sessions, presentations were held on energy research organization at KTH, particularly its Energy Platform. The delegation also learned about KTH’s extensive collaboration with social partners in energy and climate change fields.

Discussions on digital tools and technologies in higher education, the Living Cities initiative, and effective public partnerships provided insights into KTH’s approach to integrating technology for sustainable development with community engagement. The visit concluded with a management meeting of the REFRESH project, during which the next stages and upcoming tasks were discussed.

This visit has significantly contributed to the development of cooperation and experience exchange among Azerbaijani universities. MSU remains committed to actively participating in such projects and continuing collaborative exchanges.

The Republic’s National Anthem was played.

Rovshan Babayev, Head of the Mathematics Department, welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of such initiatives in enhancing students’ worldview, knowledge, and skills. He expressed gratitude to everyone involved in organizing the event and highlighted that Maya Hajiyeva, renowned as Azerbaijan’s first female mathematician, devoted her entire life to education and her students.

The event featured video presentations about Maya Hajiyeva’s contributions and the “Maya Hajiyeva ICT Skills” scholarship program.

During the event, presentations on the topic were delivered. Associate Professor Mehman Rasulov of the Mathematics Department gave a talk titled “Maya Hajiyeva in Memories”, discussing her scientific and pedagogical contributions. He noted that many of her former students are now working in higher and secondary educational institutions, as well as in various scientific and professional fields across the country. Many intellectuals who benefited from her teachings now regard her as an irreplaceable figure, a devoted scholar, and a caring mentor.

Under the guidance of Associate Professor Rasulov, students from MSU’s Faculty of Education presented topics, including Kubrakhanim Nuriyeva on “Mathematics in a Green World”, Elnara Ahmadova on “Poems and Sayings About Teachers”, Malak Nabizadeh on “Other Azerbaijani Female Mathematicians”, Zarifa Mukhtarova on “Turkish Female Mathematicians”, and Nazeni Gasimova on “World Female Mathematicians”. The presentations were met with great interest by the audience.

Students who excelled in competitions during other mathematics-themed events organized by the department were awarded prizes. Among the winners, Khassay Babashov, a second-year student specializing in Mathematics and Computer Science Teaching, expressed his gratitude on behalf of his peers to the faculty and university administration for their support in fostering all-around development.

The event continued with a cultural program. Poems, songs, and dances performed by students and local schoolchildren added a special touch to the evening. Participants expressed their satisfaction with the event’s high level of organization and its vibrant performances. The evening concluded with small gifts distributed to attendees under the slogan “Let’s Breathe Life into a Green World.”