The Institute of Geography named after acad. H. Aliyev of the MSEAR held exams in the specialty for the preparation of a doctor of philosophy and for the difference for doctoral students in accordance with the decision of the Presidium of the Higher Attestation Commission under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated September 29, 2020.

Eight doctoral candidates and dissertators took part in the exams. A commission of five people was created in four areas. These are: 1. Economic geography; 2. Historical, political, recreational geography; 3. Regional geography; and 4. Physical geography and biogeography, soil geography, geophysics and geochemistry of landscapes, headed by the head of the department, Doctor of Geographical Sciences Elena Taghyieva. The exams were transparent and successful.