Azerbaijan University, which always keeps student development at the center of its focus and supports them, creates new opportunities in this direction and stands out with initiatives aimed at unlocking their potential, has announced the winners of the “Star Student” project. By decision of the jury, the Star Students of the spring semester of the 2025/2026 academic year are Huseyn Isgandarov from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nazrin Mammadzada from the Faculty of Business and Economics, and Nihat Aliyev from the Faculty of ICT.

Huseyn Isgandarov is a third-year student majoring in Social Work, Nazrin Mammadzada is a third-year student majoring in Marketing (English-medium education), and Nihat Aliyev is a fourth-year student majoring in Information Security. The status of the newly selected outstanding students will be valid throughout the spring semester, and they will receive a monthly scholarship of 100 manats.

Nazrin Mammadzada, the top student of the Faculty of Business and Economics, has a GPA of 97.50 for the fall semester. In addition to high academic performance, the student is also distinguished by active social engagement. She actively participates in the scientific and academic life of the University as Deputy Chair of the Student Scientific Society of the Faculty of Business and Economics, as well as Head of the “Young Economists Club” operating within the faculty. On the initiative and under the organization of Nazrin Mammadzada, seminars and discussion panels on economics and digital marketing were held, and educational sessions for students with the participation of specialists were organized. She has also actively participated in international and local conferences, forums, and University events, and has been awarded a number of certificates and letters of appreciation for her organizational support. At the same time, she has participated as a volunteer in projects and programs of various government institutions. Her digital skills are at a high level. She holds an international English language certificate from Pearson.

Huseyn Isgandarov’s GPA for the autumn semester at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is 100. The student, distinguished by high academic performance and participation in international internship programs, is the author of several scientific articles and is also notable for his social activity. He has participated as a volunteer in projects of various government institutions and international organizations and has been awarded relevant certificates. He has worked as a coordinator and organizer in scientific, social and organizational projects of the University, and has also participated in trainings and conferences held both within and outside the University. He has successfully completed various courses and modules in Social Work on the Coursera platform within the framework of the “4SI Academy” of the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4SIM) under the Ministry of Economy and has obtained an international certificate. His foreign language proficiency and digital skills are at a high level.

Nihat Aliyev, a star student of the Faculty of ICT, has a GPA of 91.83 for the fall semester. He successfully represents the University in local and international programming competitions. This year he has successfully participated in the 1/8 and 1/4 stages of the 50th ICPC (International Collegiate Programming Contest), which is considered one of the most prestigious competitions in the world in terms of number of participants and scientific-technical level, and has been awarded a third-degree diploma. He represented Azerbaijan University at the ICPC competition held in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 2025. Currently, Nihat Aliyev is undertaking an internship, participating in academic and practical activities at the relevant faculties and structural units of Necmettin Erbakan University in Turkiye. After completing the international internship, he will continue his internship at a local enterprise in order to apply the knowledge and skills acquired. This stage serves to integrate international experience into the local professional environment.

Application process for the “Star Student” project

• Applications for the “Star Student” project are announced immediately after the end of each semester examination session, and applications, together with supporting documents, are submitted to the dean’s office of the respective faculty within 5 (five) working days.
• The dean’s office selects 3 (three) candidates with the highest scores based on the criteria listed below from among the applications and submits them to the jury within 5 (five) working days.
• The jury evaluates the candidates submitted by the dean’s offices before the start of the next semester, and the list of selected students is approved by an order of the Rector.

Criteria and principles for selecting “Star Students”

• “Star Students” are selected by a jury established within the framework of this project and approved by an order of the Rector, based on the principles of simple majority, fairness, and impartiality, and are evaluated on a 100-point scale according to the following criteria:
• Academic performance - 30 points (GPA of 81+ for the completed semester, no repeated courses or academic arrears);
• Scientific activity - 20 points (presentation at an international conference and published article - 10 points; presentation at a local conference and published article/thesis - 5 points; active participation in the SSS and other research groups - 5 points);
• Civic engagement, special skills, representation and leadership qualities - 20 points (exceptional activity, initiative, and responsibility in community work, participation in volunteering and charitable initiatives, achievements in arts or sports, etc.);
• Foreign language proficiency and digital skills - 20 points (participation in skill-enhancing training beyond the University’s core curriculum, international internships, relevant international certificates, such as IELTS score of 6.0-6.5 – 5 points; 7.0+ - 10 points, TOEFL score of 80-90 – 5 points; 91+ - 10 points, and etc., the ICT certificate);
• Discipline and exemplary conduct - 10 points (adherence to University disciplinary regulations, refraining from actions that may harm the University’s reputation or contradict its moral values, and gaining respect among faculty members and students, etc.).

In the event of a tie between candidates with identical scores, the following tie-breaking procedure is applied:

• Preference is given to the candidate with the higher academic performance (based on GPA).
• If the GPA is the same, preference is given to the candidate with the higher scientific activity score.
• If both scores are equal, the final decision is made by jury.

It should be noted that the “Star Student” project is being implemented starting from the fall semester of the 2025/2026 academic year by the decision of the University Academic Council. The project is implemented in accordance with the university's social responsibility and the policy of improving the social well-being of students, with the aim of increasing students’ interest in the educational process and social activities, identifying and recognizing students with outstanding talents. “Star Students” are selected after each examination session based on semester results by a jury consisting of at least 5 members (one representative from each faculty), approved by an order of the Rector, based on the student’s academic performance; scientific activity; social and public engagement, special skills, representational and leadership qualities; foreign language proficiency and digital skills; discipline and exemplary behavior. The project applies to undergraduate students.

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