On 7 October 2026, the next meeting of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Geography, Public Legal Entity under the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was held. The meeting was chaired by Zaur Imrani, Acting Director of the Institute, Doctor of Geographical Sciences and Associate Professor.

The meeting addressed scientific and organizational matters on the agenda, including the Institute’s research activities, the attestation of doctoral students and dissertation candidates, labour discipline, scientific publications, and the training of scientific personnel.

The Scientific Council reviewed matters related to the education and attestation of doctoral students and dissertation candidates. Based on a report presented by Museyib Yunusov, Head of the Scientific Personnel Training Sector, the Council discussed the case of Tunzala Babayeva, a third-year dissertation candidate pursuing a Doctor of Sciences degree in the speciality of “Land Reclamation, Reclamation of Disturbed Lands and Land Protection.” The discussion concerned her failure to participate in the attestation process and submit a written report. Following the discussion, a decision was made to remove her from the Institute’s list of dissertation candidates.

The attestation results of doctoral students and dissertation candidates were also discussed, and a relevant decision was adopted.

During the meeting, the Council heard a report by Nariman Pashayev, Head of the Geopolitics and Economic Geography Laboratory and Doctor of Geographical Sciences, on the results of field research conducted in the Ganja-Dashkasan economic region from 7 to 11 September 2026.

The report noted that the expedition covered the Dashkasan, Samukh and Goygol districts. Field observations were conducted to comprehensively examine the region’s economic and geographical potential, and scientific meetings were held with relevant institutions and industrial enterprises. During the research, scientific and factual data were collected on the current condition, operational status and development potential of economic facilities.

It was noted that the findings of the expedition would serve as a basis for developing a comprehensive database to support the scientific assessment of the Ganja-Dashkasan economic region’s resource potential, the territorial specialization of economic sectors, spatial organization and prospects for sustainable development.

In addition, Natig Gabayev, Head of the Library and Electronic Resources Management Sector and PhD in Geography, presented his monograph entitled “Structural and Nominative Features of Oronyms in Eastern Zangazur” to the members of the Scientific Council.

The meeting also considered the submission of documents to the Higher Attestation Commission under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the award of the academic title of Associate Professor to Nicat Imamverdiyev, Chief Researcher at the Geopolitics and Economic Geography Laboratory and PhD in Geography. After reviewing the submitted documents, the Council decided to  forward them to the Commission.

The meeting concluded with the discussion of other items on the agenda and the adoption of the relevant decisions.