- Türkiye to provide academic and scientific support for the reconstruction of Karabakh

- Presidential Decree on establishing academic units at Karabakh University published in the Official Gazette

- CoHE President Özvar: “We contribute to the future of Karabakh through science and higher education”

“We are taking another important step in Türkiye-Azerbaijan higher education cooperation”

August 27, 2026

The international higher education cooperation model developed by the Council of Higher Education with Azerbaijan is being expanded to Karabakh. The model launched through Türkiye-Azerbaijan University is now being expanded through Istanbul Technical University (ITU) establishing engineering-focused academic units within Karabakh University.

The Presidential Decree on establishing academic units at Karabakh University was published in the Official Gazette. This marks another important step in Türkiye-Azerbaijan higher education cooperation, following the Türkiye-Azerbaijan University umbrella model.

The model developed by CoHE goes beyond international cooperation based solely on student and academic staff exchanges. It is designed to directly connect the academic capacity of Türkiye’s leading universities in their areas of strength with higher education institutions in friendly and brotherly countries.

- “We contribute to the future of Karabakh through science and higher education”

CoHE President Erol Özvar said the Presidential Decree marks a new and important stage in Türkiye-Azerbaijan higher education cooperation.

“We are taking another new and highly valuable step in higher education cooperation between Türkiye and Azerbaijan. Following the Türkiye-Azerbaijan University established in Baku, we are now expanding our cooperation to Karabakh,” Özvar said.

Drawing attention to the historical and symbolic significance of Karabakh University, Özvar said, “Karabakh University is one of the most meaningful symbols of independence, the future, and cultural revival rising in Azerbaijan’s territories liberated from occupation. By bringing ITU’s strong expertise in engineering together with Karabakh University, we will contribute to the reconstruction of Karabakh through science, technology, and qualified human resources.”

Emphasizing that they aim to transform higher education cooperation between the two countries into permanent structures, Özvar said, “We will continue to transform the strong ties between these two brotherly countries into permanent institutions and joint scientific capacity in higher education. We will support the education and training of the young people who will build Karabakh’s future with the knowledge and experience of Türkiye’s leading universities.”

- “We are taking our higher education expertise to the international arena”

Noting that Türkiye has been steadily strengthening its position in higher education on the international stage, Özvar said the internationalization model developed by CoHE was expanding into different regions.

“We have become a global power in higher education. Together with our country’s leading universities, we are establishing joint universities, academic units, and programs in many countries, particularly across our broader cultural and historical sphere. We are taking our higher education expertise to the international arena,” Özvar said.

He also said they would continue to develop new models that bring Türkiye’s academic capacity in higher education together with a broader region, adding, “We are expanding the model we have developed. We will establish engineering-focused units at Karabakh University.”

- Foundation for cooperation between the two universities laid at CoHE

The foundation for cooperation between ITU and Karabakh University was laid at CoHE on January 21, 2026. A Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between ITU and Karabakh University was signed in the presence of CoHE President Erol Özvar and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev.

The Memorandum of Understanding covers cooperation at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels; student and faculty exchanges; joint research projects; dual-degree programs; and joint laboratory studies in engineering. The Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette has taken this cooperation into a new phase and paved the way for the launch of the academic units previously agreed upon.

- Scientific and human resources support for the reconstruction of Karabakh

Karabakh University is the first higher education institution established in Azerbaijan’s territories liberated from occupation. Established in 2023 in the city of Khankendi in Karabakh, the university plays an important role in the region’s reconstruction and development process.

Karabakh University, which is also one of the symbols of independence and cultural revival, currently has seven faculties and 27 programs. More than 2,000 students are enrolled at the university.

The academic units to be established by ITU in the field of engineering are intended to strengthen Karabakh University’s education and research capacity. The new academic structure will mark another step in bringing the increasingly deepening higher education ties between Türkiye and Azerbaijan into Karabakh’s reconstruction process through scientific and academic capacity.