The composition of the Scientific Council was formed in accordance with the "Regulation on the Scientific Council of the Higher Education Institution" approved by the order No. 792 of the Ministry of Education dated 10.11.1997.

According to the position, the composition of the Scientific Council includes the rector, vice-rectors, the director of the Teaching Methodological Center, the academic secretary, faculty deans, the chairman of the Trade Union Committee, heads of relevant departments, the chairmen of Student Youth Organizations, the Student Scientific Society and the Student Trade Union Committee. Other members of the Scientific Council were elected by secret ballot at the general meeting of faculty employees.

The Scientific Council performs the relevant principled functions for the perspective development of the university, as a legislative body, it regulates the activities of the university in various fields. Awarding honorary titles of SSU to famous scientists and public figures, professor, etc. conducts elections for positions, establishes named scholarships and performs other functions. The Scientific Council makes appropriate decisions for the creation of faculties, departments, laboratories, implementation of necessary structural changes, and the comprehensive care of talented and excellent students of the university.

The Academic Council submits a petition to the Higher Attestation Commission under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan regarding the granting of scientific titles (associate professor, professor, etc.) to university employees, and if necessary, makes additions and changes to the Charter of SSU.

The special action plan prepared for SSU's decision in the ranking table of QS-World universities was widely discussed and approved at the meeting of the Scientific Council. In accordance with the action plan, increasing the international reputation of SSU, including its reputation among employers, raising scientific-metric indicators, adapting the teacher-student ratio to international standards, increasing the number of foreign teachers and students, increasing the employment indicators of graduates and other issues are focused on.

Thanks to the purposeful measures and dedicated work of specialists in the 2023/2024 academic year, Sumgait State University ranked 483rd in the QS Ranking of European Universities, 31st among Western Asian universities, and 5th among Azerbaijani universities. SSU is the first regional university from Azerbaijan to be included in the QS Rating. In total, 9 universities from Azerbaijan entered the QS-European Universities Ranking list.

By the decision of the Scientific Council, a number of reforms were carried out in SSU, the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology was re-formed and named the Faculty of Natural Sciences, and all-natural sciences specialties were included in this faculty. All engineering specialties are part of the Faculty of Engineering. Also, by combining the Doctorate and Master's Department and the Scientific Department, the Master's Degree, Doctorate and Science Department; The Department of Quality Assurance in Education was merged with the Center for Strategic Development, and a new Department of Quality Assurance and Strategy was created.

In order to ensure the development of SSU in accordance with modern requirements and challenges, a new department - Project Management Department was established at the university.

In connection with the declaration of 2023 as the "Year of Heydar Aliyev", in accordance with the plan of events, all events were held at a high level at SSU, and the final report was heard at the meeting of the Scientific Council on 27.12.2023.

Planned events related to the declaration of 2024 as the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World" are carried out and continued at a high level. "Forum", "Scientific research perspectives of young scientists responding to new challenges", "Forum of science teachers" and other events dedicated to the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World" were held at a very high level.

It was decided to give an additional scholarship (200 AZN) to students admitted to SSU with academic indicators higher than 500 points in order to increase their interest in education and scientific creativity.

In its meetings, the Scientific Council makes relevant decisions to ensure the important educational and scientific policy of the university, the priority directions of international relations, personnel and social issues, the development of the infrastructure of SSU and the fulfillment of other prospective plans.

The Heydar Aliyev Center was established at SSU by the decision of the Scientific Council. The Scientific Council approves the Strategic Development Plan of the University, makes decisions on the participation of SSU employees in international projects and the preparation and implementation of international projects. By the decision of the Scientific Council, for the first time in the history of SSU, specialist training for the Doctor of Sciences program is being carried out starting from 2017. One of the biggest achievements in the history of SSU is the establishment of the Dissertation Council based on the request of the Scientific Council. Currently, Dissertation Boards for 2 specialties operate in the university.

FD 2.24 Dissertation Council (on Philology)

1. 5706.01- Azerbaijani language (philology)

2. 5716.01 - Azerbaijani literature (philology)

By the decision of the Academic Council, scholarships named "Heydar Aliyev" and "Nizami Ganjavi" were established at SSU. Since 2016, it has been decided to teach the theoretical and practical foundations of multiculturalism as a subject at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

SSU is a member of the Association of Russian-Azerbaijani Universities. SSU is a member of the Association of State Universities of the Caspian Littoral Countries and the Association of Caucasian Universities. It also cooperates with the Association of Eurasian Universities.

By the decision of the Scientific Council, Dr. Yeva Lohse, the Ober-Burgomaster of the city of Ludwigshafen, Germany, the chairman of the Association of German Municipalities, R. N. Bakhtizin, co-chairman of the Russian side of the Association of Russian-Azerbaijani Universities, rector of the Ufa State Oil Technical University, the Director of the Center for the Study and Application of Lexicography of Hajettepe University of the Republic of Turkiye, prof. Haluk Shukru Akal were awarded the title of "Honorary Doctor" of SSU.

Meetings of the Scientific Council are held once a month during the academic year. The Scientific Council periodically approves the plans of the university's teaching and research work, listens to the reports of the faculties, departments and other structural units. The Scientific Council works according to the planned and approved plan for the academic year, these plans are discussed and accepted by the Scientific Council and approved by the rector.

Currently, there are 48 members of the Scientific Council of Sumgayit State University. The chairman of the Scientific Council is Rector Rufat Azizov, the  Scientific secretary is Professor M.M.Samadov.