On December 12, Acting Rector of Sumgayit State University (SSU), corresponding member of ANAS, professor Aminaga Sadigov held a meeting with teachers appointed to the position of associate professor in the current year. The main purpose of the meeting was to improve the teaching process, strengthen academic activity, enhance the professional development of the academic staff members. Aminaga Sadigov noted in his speech that the position of associate professor is one of the most responsible academic positions at the university. This status is not only an assessment of previous performance, but also a basis for future research. Continuing his speech, the professor emphasized the importance of associate professors continuing to conduct regular scientific research activities, participating in grant projects covering various fields, publishing articles in prestigious scientific journals, and speaking at international and republican-level conferences, symposiums, and forums. At the same time, he noted that the continuous development of teachers is one of the main conditions in modern higher education. For this reason, he recommended that associate professors consistently work on themselves, follow pedagogical and methodological innovations, apply innovative approaches to the teaching process, and provide more targeted support for students’ research activities. Aminaga Sadigov also brought to the attention of the meeting participants that, as the main force of the teaching staff, associate professors should contribute to increasing the public reputation of the university through their activities and to the development of students as well-rounded citizens. Later, meeting participants exchanged views on improving the educational process. At the end of the meeting, the SSU administration wished the teachers appointed to the position of associate professors success in their scientific and pedagogical activities.