The opening ceremony of the “GeoCamp” Student Summer Camp, jointly organized by Baku State University (BSU) and Azerbaijan International Mining Company Limited, was held at BSU’s Quba Training, Practice and Recreation Center. The Acting Director of the Institute of Geography of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Doctor of Geographical Sciences Zaur Imrani, and the Institute’s Scientific Secretary, PhD in Geography Saida Zeynalova, participated in the event.

The participants first visited the monument to National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the center of Quba and laid flowers at its foot. The opening ceremony was subsequently held at BSU’s Quba Training, Practice and Recreation Center.

The event was opened with introductory remarks by Shahin Panahov, Vice-Rector for International Relations of BSU. Speeches were then delivered by Gasim Khalilov, adviser to the Office of the Rector of BSU, Secretary General of the “BSU Volunteers” organization and project coordinator; Elnara Akimova, Member of the Milli Majlis; Ilgar Guliyev, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Geology; Samir Murselov, Head of the Mining Geology Department at Azerbaijan International Mining Company Limited; Mamoy Mansurov, Dean of the Faculty of Geology; Zaur Imrani, Acting Director of the Institute of Geography; and Academician Vasif Babazade, Head of the Department of Mineral Resources at BSU.

In his speech, Zaur Imrani emphasized that geography and geology have historically developed in close connection with one another and have followed parallel paths of development. Highlighting the growing need for the integration of science and education in the modern era, he noted that scientific research should not remain solely theoretical and stressed the importance of applying research findings directly to industry and the real sector.

The “GeoCamp” Student Summer Camp will play an important role in enriching young people’s knowledge of geology and familiarizing them with contemporary challenges and developments in the field.