On June 25, the Baku State University (BSU) held its Graduation Day at the National Gymnastics Arena.

The event began with the National Anthem, followed by a moment of silence in honor of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs who gave their lives for the freedom of our homeland.

A video dedicated to BSU was then presented.

Rector of BSU, Elchin Babayev, opened the event by congratulating the graduates and wishing them success:
“Today marks an unforgettable day in the life of Baku State University, which has a long-standing history and rich traditions. More than 6,000 of our students are graduating this year. You graduate at a time when Azerbaijan is entering a new reality—marked by sustainable progress and scientific-technological advancement across all fields.

Your student years coincided with a crucial period for our nation. Under the leadership of our victorious Commander-in-Chief, our heroic Army restored the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. With a swift anti-terror operation, our national sovereignty was reinstated. Large-scale restoration and reconstruction efforts began in the liberated territories. The international status of our independent state continues to grow.

We bow before the souls of those who gave their lives for our glorious Victory, the 5th anniversary of which we proudly celebrate this year. Many of our graduates are actively involved in the reconstruction efforts across Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. We take pride in our alumni and wish them success in reviving our ancestral lands.”

The Rector highlighted that BSU, which began with 2 faculties and 1,094 students, now operates with 16 faculties, 1,500 academic staff, and over 25,000 students. The university boasts 120 departments, two research institutes, six research centers, five museums, a branch in Gazakh, a College of Economics and Humanities, and the “Young Talents” high school.

The university offers 75 undergraduate programs and 243 graduate specializations. BSU proudly contributes to the development of human capital and aims to secure a strong presence for Azerbaijan in global education, science, and culture.

BSU has achieved global recognition, entering the 688th position in the QS World University Rankings and placing in the Top 600 of the Times Higher Education list—ranking first not only in Azerbaijan but across the South Caucasus.

Deputy Minister of Science and Education Kenan Karimzada emphasized that BSU has played a critical role in the intellectual and national development of the country for over a century. Investments in modern infrastructure and the growth of higher education have allowed for a record 75,000 university admissions in the upcoming 2025/2026 academic year.

Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov congratulated the graduates and emphasized the role of youth in society, highlighting ongoing support from the state.

A congratulatory video message from the Director-General of ICESCO, Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik, was also shared.

A video dedicated to the “Year of Constitution and Sovereignty” and the 5th anniversary of the Karabakh Victory was screened.

Other speakers included Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Ziyafat Asgarov, Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions Sahib Mammadov, BSU Board of Trustees member and BP executive Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli, War Hero Zaur Huseynov, Director of Shusha State Reserve Tural Novruzov, and other prominent BSU alumni and faculty. They extended congratulations and best wishes to the graduates.

Congratulatory video messages were also sent by the rectors of Istanbul Technical University, Izmir Institute of Technology, Anhui University (China), Satbayev University (Kazakhstan), NUTECH (Pakistan), and other universities.

Certificates and gifts from BSU’s Student Trade Union Committee and event partners were awarded to 34 students with high academic performance and active participation.

The event concluded with a concert program.

SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals