Founded in 1930, the Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) is one of the leading higher education institutions in the South Caucasus and a key contributor to the country’s socio-economic development. UNEC plays a strategic role in preparing highly qualified professionals in economics, business, finance, management, and the social sciences, while increasingly positioning sustainability as a central pillar of its institutional mission and long-term development strategy.
Today, UNEC comprises 13 faculties and offers 25 Bachelor’s, 18 Master’s, and 14 PhD programs to a student body exceeding 10,000 learners, supported by more than 1,000 academic and administrative staff. Education is delivered in Azerbaijani, English, Russian, and Turkish, reflecting the university’s strong commitment to internationalization and inclusivity. UNEC’s academic infrastructure includes seven campuses, 28 educational laboratories, and 48 research centers, which collectively provide a robust foundation for education, research, innovation, and sustainable campus development.
In recent years, UNEC has made substantial progress in international recognition, strengthening its presence in major global university rankings. The university is represented in both the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, where it consistently holds leading national positions and competitive regional standings. These results demonstrate UNEC’s systematic approach to strategic governance, quality assurance, and institutional development aligned with international standards.
Sustainable development constitutes one of UNEC’s core strategic priorities. The university actively aligns its policies, academic activities, and institutional practices with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Strong Institutions. UNEC has made targeted investments in green campus initiatives, including energy-efficient infrastructure, digitalization through the “e-university” model, environmentally responsible resource management, and the expansion of inclusive and accessible learning environments. These efforts have been formally recognized through UNEC’s inclusion in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, reflecting the university’s commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable campus management.
UNEC further reinforces its sustainability agenda through research, public engagement, and knowledge dissemination. The university annually hosts an international scientific conference dedicated to the circular economy, bringing together scholars, policymakers, and industry representatives to address sustainable production models, resource efficiency, and green economic transformation. This platform strengthens UNEC’s role as a regional hub for sustainability-oriented research and policy dialogue.
Internationalization remains a key driver of UNEC’s development and sustainability impact. The university has established dual degree programs with leading partner institutions across Europe, Asia, and North America, while actively participating in international exchange programs and research collaborations. These partnerships enhance academic quality, foster cross-border knowledge transfer, and amplify the societal and economic impact of UNEC’s research activities.
Taken together, these institutional characteristics demonstrate that UNEC possesses strong capacity, a clear strategic vision, and measurable performance in sustainability, positioning the university as a credible and active participant in sustainability-focused rankings and international rating organizations.
Website: https://unec.edu.az/en/center-for-sustainability/
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unecedu
Instagram: https://instagram.com/uneceduaz
X: https://x.com/uneceduaz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/15134462
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@uneceduaz
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@unecedu
If you would like to contact the university, please email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to connect you.