AzEdu.az has conducted research on the topic.
“What are the differences between an “Institute” and a “University”?
Thus, an institute is a higher education institution that provides training, retraining, and professional development for specialists in a professional field of activity. In principle, an institute can even operate in a single profession.
An institute typically focuses on one or several specializations. For example, it provides in-depth professional training in the fields of engineering, medicine, pedagogy, or economics. Here, the curriculum is more practically oriented, and the number of faculties may be relatively small. Compared to a university, an institute provides more narrowly specialized, focused, and practically oriented education. The number of teachers with academic degrees and scientific titles in an institute can range from 25-55%.
A university, on the other hand, is a multidisciplinary higher education center. Here, faculties, laboratories, and research units operate across various fields, and both theoretical and practical education are conducted. Universities provide education at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, while also offering extensive research opportunities. At least 60% of the teaching staff in universities must hold academic degrees and scientific titles.
In general, an institute can be a component of another educational institution, whereas a university operates as an independent and autonomous entity. An institute can operate within a university.
The Azerbaijan Teachers' Institute, established in 1929, was abolished in 2015 and merged with the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University.
The Azerbaijan Teachers' Institute had branches in Aghjabadi, Jalilabad, Ganja, Gazakh, Guba, Shamakhi, Sheki, and Zagatala. After the Institute was merged with the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University, these branches continued their activities as branches of ASPU.
Subsequently, the Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts was reorganized and incorporated into the University of Culture and Arts.
Below, higher education institutions that first held “Institute” status and later “University” status are presented systematically and in chronological order:
Oil and Industry Sector
Azerbaijan Institute of Oil and Chemistry named after M. Azizbayov
- Since 1992, Azerbaijan State Oil Academy
- Since 2015, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University
Technical Sector
Azerbaijan Polytechnic Institute
- Since 1993, Azerbaijan Technical University
Economics Sector
Azerbaijan Institute of National Economy
- Since 2000, Azerbaijan State University of Economics
Pedagogical Sector
Azerbaijan State Pedagogical Institute named after V. I. Lenin
- Since 1991, Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University
Azerbaijan Pedagogical Institute of Russian Language and Literature named after M. F. Akhundov
- Since 2000, Baku Slavic University
Nakhchivan State Pedagogical Institute
- Subsequently, Nakhchivan State University
Sports Sector
Azerbaijan State Institute of Physical Education
- Since 2000, Azerbaijan State Academy of Physical Education and Sports
- Since 2024, Azerbaijan Sports Academy
Languages Sector
Azerbaijan State Institute of Foreign Languages
- Since 2000, Azerbaijan University of Languages
Medical Sector
Azerbaijan State Medical Institute named after N. Narimanov
- Since 1991, Azerbaijan Medical University
Culture and Arts Sector
Azerbaijan State Institute of Culture and Arts
- Since 1991, Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts
Agrarian Sector
Azerbaijan State Agrarian Institute
- Since 2000, Azerbaijan State Agrarian University
Architecture and Construction Sector
Azerbaijan State Institute of Architecture and Construction
- Since 2000, Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction
