Baku: With the support of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IRIA), the Azerbaijan Innovation Center (AIM) has been established within the Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry (ASOIU), IRIA told APA-Economics. The university leadership, faculty members, students, and startup founders of the university attended the opening ceremony of the Center.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Chairman of the IRIA Board Farid Osmanov emphasized the role of innovation centers established with the agency’s support in the development of the startup culture in the country. Osmanov highlighted several advantages of the Center being part of the university, stating that as a new innovation center, ASOIU AIM will unite the state-university-business triangle. This initiative aims to form a strong innovative foundation for the development of industrial sectors serving the non-oil sector. A supportive environment has been created for mentoring, incubation, acceleration, international networking, and all stages of the journey from idea to product.

Rufat Azizov, Rector of ASOIU, provided detailed information about the university’s activities in the field of innovation. He noted that with the resources of ASOIU AIM, student innovators are provided with all the necessary conditions to test their ideas, prepare prototypes, and develop them in line with real market demands.

ASOIU AIM is equipped with technical equipment for prototyping, hardware design, and research. The Center also includes a computer lab for university students, program participants, and other users of the Center. In addition, the Center is equipped with spaces for coworking, meetings and presentations, learning, and training.