ADA
Leadership

ADA University is proud of its success. We strive to provide quality education in Azerbaijan, where public and private sectors’ expanding needs for young, well-trained professionals pave the way for our pursuit of academic excellence.

Rector Hafiz Pashayev

Meet the Rector

Meet the Rector

The founding Rector of ADA University, Ambassador Hafiz Pashayev previously served (2006-2019) as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. After 13 years of tenure (1993-2006) as the country's first Ambassador to the United States, Hafiz Pashayev found himself with the unexpected career of launching Azerbaijan's first academy for young diplomats. The goal of this training institute was to recruit a crash course in modern diplomacy new to the country and to give them skills for the advancement of foreign policy goals. Rector Pashayev's vision for ADA extended beyond education, however, he imagined this place as an intellectual epicenter with responsibilities to Azerbaijani society, largely to cultivate innovative leaders with a global perspective, who will, in turn, offer fresh insights and solutions to the challenges the country faces. Thus, short-term training programs grew into full undergraduate and graduate interdisciplinary programs attracting the brightest applicants and molding the generation with the new mentality. A scholar himself, Professor Pashayev received his degrees in Physics from Azerbaijan State University over time and joined the Physics Institute of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, advancing from the position of researcher to the head of the Metal Physics laboratory.
You can often spot him dining with students at the Student Center, interacting with the University community, and discussing global affairs, life and his passion for jazz music.

Board of Trustees

ADA University Board of Trustees is comprised of accomplished and influential leaders who come from government and private sectors. The permanent and elected members oversee the University’s mission and guide and steer its operations according to University by laws. The board advises on the best trends and practices in the field of education, supports fundraising activities and promotes the University brand.

René van der Linden Former President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Roald Sagdeev Director Emeritus, Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences

Hafiz Pashayev Rector, ADA University

University Senate

The governing body of the University is the University Senate. It is the primary venue for discussion of University-wide issues and enables communication between various constituencies at ADA University. The University Senate provides a forum for considering matters directly related to the well-being of ADA University. The University Senate has the authority to discuss and express its views on any matter of interest to the University and to make recommendations to the Rector, Vice Rectors, and faculty. The Senate conducts its functions as a body and via committees and persons duly delegated to act on its behalf. 


Current University Senate Membership

Permanent Members


Dr. Hafiz Pashayev, Rector (Chairman of the Senate)
Dr. Elkin Nurmammadov, Vice Rector of Academic Affairs
Dr. Fariz Ismailzade, Vice Rector for External, Government and Student Affairs
Dr. Vafa Kazdal, Vice Rector of Strategy and Advancement
Dr. Abzatdin Adamov, Dean, School of IT and Engineering

Dr. Azer Babayev, Dean, School of Public and International Affairs
Dr. Huseyn Ismayilov, Dean, School of Business
Ms.Gunay Ziyadova, Dean, Enrollment Management
Dr. Matteo Vittuari, Dean of the School of Agricultural and Food Sciences
Dr. Rashad Ibadov, Dean, School of Law

Dr. Ulviyya Mikayilova, Dean, School of Education
Ms. Rovshana Samadova, Chief Operating Officer

Elected Members

Dr. Vafa Yunusova, Assistant Professor, School of Education
Dr. Turana Aliyeva, Assistant Professor, General Education Program
Dr. Azar Abizada, Associate Professor, School of Business
Dr. Farhad Huseynov, Professor, School of Business
Dr. Gulmammad Mammadov, Assistant Professor, School of IT and Engineering
Dr. Vugar Musayev, Assistant Professor, School of IT and Engineering
Dr. Javid Gadirov, Assistant Professor, School of Law
Ms. Lala A. Mammadova, Senior Instructor, English for Academic Purposes Program