On February 13, the awarding ceremony of the IX Republican contest "Scientists of Tomorrow" was held.

The ceremony began with the performance by the choir of students of the Gymnasium of Art at the Azerbaijan National Conservatory of the National anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Then a video was shown about the Republican contest "Scientists of Tomorrow", held since 2012.

In his speech, Minister of Education Jeyhun Bayramov said that one of the main priorities of science and education is to highlight scientific and innovative initiatives and increase youth interest in scientific activities. It was noted that in order to prepare the young generation for the future of digital technologies and the era of artificial intelligence, they should be presented with new competencies, specialties and professions that are fundamentally different from the old ones. The Education Minister said the Ministry of Education has already implemented a number of successful initiatives. So, with the participation of students, the first STEAM festival will be held in Azerbaijan in the upcoming academic year, as well as it is planned to open STEAM centers and museums of science that meet modern requirements in 10 regions of the country. The Minister also noted that the number of initiatives to implement innovative scientific strategies adequate to global calls in universities has increased, and research has begun on new research areas.

According to information available to date, 1,581 research projects were registered at the Web of Science scientific base in 2019 in Azerbaijan, of which 53% are universities. It was noted that with the Ministry of Education and 10 universities of the country, a protocol of intent was signed by “Elsevier” Corporation, which is the leading global research and analytical company in the Netherlands. The main goal is to ensure that our universities enter the Scopus international scientific information base, increase the number of scientific publications, match published scientific articles with international requirements and achieve an appropriate place in the international rating lists.

The minister also said that the competition "Scientists of Tomorrow" which is being held in the republic for the 9th time, is of particular importance for stimulating innovative and creative activity of youth. An analysis of this competition shows that participation in it has a positive effect on the development and career of students.

After his speech, the Minister congratulated the winners of the contest and wished them further success. He also thanked the organizers of the contest. Then the awarding ceremony took place. 11 students were awarded I place in various categories with 6 projects, 29 students II place with 16 projects, and 46 students III place with 25 projects. For the participation in the International Science and Engineering Exhibition –ISEF, held in the USA, 4 projects were selected (7 students). With the financial support of BP, these students will go to the United States. Except this, 10 prizes were presented to our students by various scientific societies of USA.

It is gratifying that Sumgayit city pupils show special activity in the Republican Competition "Scientists of Tomorrow" and are awarded with prizes.

It should be noted that for the first time in the history of the International Science and Engineering Fair, an Azerbaijani scientist, collaborator of Sumgayit State University, chairman of Scientific Expertise Committee of “Tomorrow’s scientists” Republican competition Samir Orujov will act as a jury.

Professor of Sumgayit State University Javanshir Mammadov, who is guiding the schoolchildren of Sumgayit city at the Republican competition "Scientists of Tomorrow", noted that the competition was attended by more than 60 pupils on 38 projects studying in IX-XI grades at National Sciences Gymnasium, “Tafakkur” lyceum, “Istedad” lyceum, schools № 2, 11.23, 27 in Sumgait city. Of the 15 students who presented these projects, 1 pupil was awarded 1st place, 5 pupils II place, 2 pupils third place. Among the winning students, IX grade student of Sumgayit secondary school №11, Ilham Abdullayev, was awarded the certificate of the International Association of Engineering and Computer Science.

It is noteworthy that the competition was organized by the Ministry of Education, the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Heydar Aliyev Center, the Republican Committee of the Free Trade Union of Education Workers and BP.