On April 28, PASHA Holding and SOCAR, within the framework of a strategic partnership with Spain’s prestigious IE University and with the support of the Ministry of Science and Education and the Ministry of Economy, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the IE Center for Leadership and Innovation in Baku.
According to information provided to elchi by the Ministry of Science and Education, the initiative aims to contribute to the development of leadership skills in our country, form a regional platform for innovation and international cooperation, and support the development of human capital in Azerbaijan.
The center, which will operate in areas such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development, will organize educational programs and international events for executive personnel, as well as carry out research initiatives.
This partnership also intends to enhance excellence in education and support institutional capacity through cooperation with local stakeholders. Within the framework of the partnership, it is also planned to implement specially tailored educational programs to contribute to the professional development of SOCAR and PASHA Holding employees.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev noted that this initiative is an important step towards improving the lives and professional activities of Azerbaijani youth and specialists, and a valuable contribution to Azerbaijani education as a whole. Expressing his gratitude to the parties involved in the establishment of the center, Emin Amrullayev stated that this cooperation is an example of a successful partnership between the state, the private sector, and the business industry, and is a logical continuation of previous successful joint activities. In his speech, the Minister expressed his confidence that the initiative would expand networking opportunities for Azerbaijani specialists and create conditions for their more active participation in global platforms. In conclusion, Emin Amrullayev noted that the main goal is to make higher education more accessible, affordable, and internationally competitive.
First Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev noted that initiatives targeting challenges such as strengthening human capital, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation are strategic investments in innovation-based development. In this regard, expanding international educational opportunities is of great importance. According to the agreement reached between PASHA Holding, SOCAR, and Spain’s IE University, the establishment of the IE Center for Leadership and Innovation in our country will contribute to the application of international experience and the enhancement of modern knowledge and skills.
In his speech, SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf stated that SOCAR attaches great importance to the development of human capital and said that the company is contributing to the realization of this initiative today with its experience and capabilities. The main goal of this project is to bring high knowledge, skills, and leadership competencies from international practice to Azerbaijan, make them accessible, and serve the training of leaders with a grand vision in our country.
“As IE University, we express our sincere gratitude to PASHA Holding and SOCAR for their vision, trust, and continuous support in advancing this initiative. Together, we are laying the foundation for a center that will promote leadership, innovation, and global cooperation in Azerbaijan. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to contributing to talent development, strengthening institutions, and shaping a more dynamic, competitive future,” added Santiago Iñiguez de Onzoño, Executive President of IE University, in his speech.
Jalal Gasimov, Chief Executive Officer of PASHA Holding, who spoke at the signing ceremony, said: “Strengthening human capital in Azerbaijan, as well as in the Caucasus and Central Asia region, is one of our main priorities. This region, with a population of approximately 100 million, is currently going through an important stage of its history, and we consider it important to be a party that makes a real contribution to shaping the future, rather than just observing this process from the outside. At the same time, the current initiative also expresses our identity: we are a company that is global in its partnerships, but local in its roots – Azerbaijani. Correspondent account partnerships with banks such as BNY Mellon and Raiffeisen Bank International, cooperation with the World Economic Forum, and partnerships with companies such as Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Marriott International and One&Only Resorts – each of these signals that PASHA Holding is already an international company, and our partnership with IE University is an example of this approach.”
It was noted that PASHA Holding, established in 2006, is one of the country’s leading business groups operating in banking, insurance, fintech, real estate, retail, agriculture, and other fields today. With more than 25,000 employees and assets exceeding 18 billion US dollars, the Holding’s international operations are also expanding. Currently, PASHA Holding operates in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Georgia, Montenegro, and the USA.
SOCAR, a global energy company headquartered in Azerbaijan, specializes in the extraction, processing, and distribution of energy resources. As a large integrated energy company, SOCAR operates extensively worldwide and plays a significant role in various international markets today.
