Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor

Dr. Fariz Saleh Ahmadov is an accomplished economist and higher education leader who currently serves as the Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation at Karabakh University. With a strong background in academic research, strategic management, and international collaboration, Dr. Ahmadov has built a distinguished career in academia and institutional leadership.
Dr. Ahmadov earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Organization and Management from the Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) in 2003. He continued his academic journey at Sakarya University’s Institute of Social Sciences in Türkiye, where he completed a master’s degree in Management and Organization in 2005. From 2006 to 2010, he pursued his doctoral studies at the same university, successfully defending his dissertation titled “National Competitiveness of Azerbaijan: An Analysis Using the TOWS Matrix and Diamond Model” and obtaining a Ph.D. in Economics.
He began his academic career as a research associate at Sakarya University, working on city branding and economic development projects. His tenure at Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) started in 2010, where he held various roles, including lecturer, senior lecturer, associate professor, and deputy head at the Faculty of Turkish World Economics. Between 2014 and 2017, he served as Head of the Department of Economics and Management, followed by his appointment as Director of UNEC’s International School of Economics and Doctoral Studies from 2017 to 2023. In 2023–2024, he took on the role of Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation at UNEC, leading research and innovation initiatives.
Dr. Ahmadov has been widely recognized for his contributions to academia and research. In 2016, he was awarded the “Young Scientist of the Year” by the Science Development Foundation under the President of Azerbaijan. That same year, he received the title of Associate Professor from the Supreme Attestation Commission of Azerbaijan. In 2020, he was honored with the “Distinguished Educator of Azerbaijan” award by the Minister of Education of Azerbaijan. Additionally, he has received multiple honorary certificates for his academic leadership, pedagogical innovation, and contributions to university administration.
Dr. Ahmadov has authored more than 10 high-impact scientific articles indexed in Web of Science and Scopus, along with over 40 publications in international journals. He has presented more than 30 research papers at global conferences and has been an active member and chair of scientific and organizational committees for numerous academic conferences and journals affiliated with Web of Science, Scopus, and EconLit.
In 2019, he chaired the 9th International Conference on Lifelong Education and Leadership for All (ICLEL) and founded the International Scientific Conference on Economics and Management Researchers (ISCEMR). He is also the co-author of several books, including “Strategic Management”, “Research Methods”, “Strategic Business Management”, and “Quality Management System”. His monograph, “Theories and Measurement of National Competitiveness”, was published in Türkiye. Additionally, he has served as an academic editor for publications such as “New Directions in the Global Economy”, “Green and Transition Economies in the Turkic World”, and “Exploring the Green Economy”.
Through Erasmus+ and Mevlana Exchange Programs, Dr. Ahmadov has delivered guest lectures and conducted research at multiple international universities. He has played key leadership and coordination roles in projects supported by the World Bank, UNDP, and Erasmus+, making significant contributions to higher education development and economic policy research. He has spearheaded multiple research and policy projects, including “The Role of Investments in the Economic Development of Karabakh and East Zangezur”, “Sectoral Assessment of the Economic Potential of Karabakh and East Zangezur”, “Business Environment and SME Development in Karabakh”, “Digital Marketing and Social Media”, “E-commerce and E-export”, “An Economic Portrait of a Century”, and “Green Economy and Sustainable Development”. He also led the Azerbaijani translation of the 13th edition of Economic Development by Michael P. Todaro and Stephen C. Smith, a project supported by SOCAR Midstream Operations.
From 2022 to 2025, Dr. Ahmadov served as Deputy Chair of the Dissertation Council FD 1.11, overseeing research in econometrics, economic statistics, accounting, economic activities, and the global economy. His academic leadership extends across collaborations with SOCAR, Pasha Holding, BP, UNDP, Trendyol, KOBIA, Veysaloğlu Group, and other major organizations.
On July 29, 2024, Dr. Ahmadov was appointed Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation at Karabakh University by an order of the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan. In this role, he continues to drive strategic academic initiatives, research innovation, and international partnerships, reinforcing Karabakh University’s position as a leading institution in higher education and scientific advancement.