On September 15, Sumgayit State University (SSU) held an event dedicated to the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year and Knowledge Day. The solemn ceremony, held in front of the university's main academic building, was attended by SSU faculty, staff, students, graduate students, and their parents. First, the memory of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was commemorated with a minute of silence, and the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was played. Then, Acting Rector of SSU, Corresponding Member of ANAS, Professor Aminagha Sadigov opened the event, greeted the participants, congratulated the university staff, students, especially the first-year students who had just joined the SSU family, on the occasion of the beginning of the new academic year, and wished them success. The rector said in his speech that this year, a total of 2.2 million students were involved in the educational process at various levels, and the number of staff working in the field of education across the country is close to 300,000. This is an indication that the development of education has always been one of the main priorities of state policy. He noted that a solid foundation in this direction was laid by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, and today it is being successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev. President Ilham Aliyev's visits to educational institutions in the liberated territories, the special attention and support he gives to their activities are a clear example of the high value the state attaches to education. Aminagha Sadigov emphasized that our goal is to prepare specialists who respond to global challenges, are competitive in the labor market, and develop as a higher education institution in line with modern requirements. He drew attention to the work done to improve the quality of education at the university and the innovations planned to be implemented. He noted that as a result of the University's consistent development activities, SSU was included in the "QS 2026 - Ranking of the World's Best Universities" list for the first time. Also, the admission results for the 2025/2026 academic year were significantly higher than in previous years. This is an indicator of the university's quality educational environment and growing reputation. Then, at the event, SSU graduate, head of the Department of Mathematical Analysis and Differential Equations, Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics, associate professor Khayala Seyfullayeva, a student who was admitted to the Faculty of Philology of SSU this year after scoring over 600 points, Lala Khalilova, master's student of the Faculty of Economics and Management, Nijat Osmanov, and Namida Isayeva who was also admitted to the university's Faculty of Philology, spoke about the positive changes in the educational environment, progressive assessment methods, and the conditions created for students. The speakers emphasized that it was not by chance that they chose Sumgayit State University, as it is here that consistent and purposeful work is being done to ensure the quality of student-centered education, objective assessment, and the physical and spiritual development of students. They wished their colleagues success and called on them to remain committed to the values of the university. Then, Aminagha Sadigov had a sincere conversation with the parents of the students. He noted that your children will study at Sumgayit State University in a safe, fair and disciplined environment. They’re in safe hands with us. We appreciate your patience with the rigor of our academic approach and respectfully ask that you allow the process to proceed without intervention.
The event concluded with the university anthem and the song "Azerbaijan" performed by the students.