On March 13, a presentation on "Transition to the education-research-innovation model: global challenges and real opportunities" was held in the Small Assembly hall of Sumgayit State University. Within the framework of the "State Program for increasing the International Competitiveness of the Higher Education System in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2019-2023", the meeting under the motto "Transition to the "Education-Research-Innovation" model: global challenges and real opportunities" was held at SSU. The rector of SSU professor Elkhan Huseynov started the meeting with an introductory speech.Welcoming the professors and teachers who participated in the presentation, the rector stated the activities defined by the Development Concept "Azerbaijan 2020: a vision of the future" and the "State Strategy for the Development of Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan" in accordance with the "Strategic Development Plan of SSU for 2015-2025". He stated that the presentation prepared taking into consideration the directions meets the needs of the day. Professor Elkhan Huseynov spoke about the need for a new strategy in the field of education, as in all areas of the changing world made the presentation on "Increasing the international competitiveness of the higher education system in the Republic of Azerbaijan for the years 2019-2023" approved by the Decree of President Ilham Aliyev dated November 16, 2018. He pointed out that it was prepared based on the requirements of the State Program. It is inevitable to train competitive specialists in accordance with new economic challenges in the conditions of globalization, for achieving sustainable development of human capital. The rector emphasized in the report to be heard and the project to be presented that he sees getting into the world's prestigious rating tables as one of the main means on the way to achieving future goals. Professor Elkhan Huseynov noted that contracts were signed with factories in Western European countries, especially Germany providing modern equipment and installations for the university's teaching and scientific laboratories. The rector opened a conversation about the nearest goals stating that the transformation of SSU into an innovation and educational center is a priority for its employees,.

 SSU rector's advisor, associate professor Zafar Huseynov stated that the main strategic goal of the higher educational institution is to become an "Education-research-innovation" university and addressed questions to the audience. Associate professor Zafar Huseynov noted that important and extensive steps have been taken in the direction of the development of education in the university in recent years, the normative and legal basis of education has been improved. He talked about relating the teaching process with scientific research at SSU, strengthening the integration of science and education with production, and applying innovations to the teaching process and spoke about the work done in the direction of establishing and developing cooperation with other universities and scientific organizations in the field of personnel training.

Nihad Huseynov-senior lecturer of the faculty of Economics and management gave information about the prospects of mutual cooperation with the international rating agency "QS Quacquarelli Symonds", presented the project of cooperation with international rating systems. He spoke about the issues to be considered daily before the presentation such as GZIT analysis, team organization and coordination, information flow. Nihad Huseynov spoke about the ranking of selected majors in the world and regions, the rating of sustainability, the rating of combating environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, the rating of finance, management, marketing, supply chain management and business analytics master's majors He added that why it is important for universities to take a place in the tables that determine the rankings in this field. The presenter made a speech about the global MBA rating, the rating for production-oriented specialties, the employment rating of graduates, the Regional University rating and other similar issues. He informed about the strengths and weaknesses of the university. At the end of the presentation, the rector of the university, professor Elkhan Huseynov wished success to the participants, gave them his recommendations and noted that the task of appointing the team for the implementation of the project was entrusted to Natig Talibov - vice-rector on Teaching organization and training technologies.