Heydar Aliyev, born on May 10, 1923, in Nakhchivan, began his academic journey at Azerbaijan Industrial Institute (now ASOIU), studying architecture. However, World War II interrupted his education. He later pursued a distinguished career in state security, governance, and politics.

In 1969, Aliyev became the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan, leading the republic’s economic and social development. He later held high-ranking positions in the USSR, including First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers. In 1990, he returned to Azerbaijan, playing a pivotal role in its independence and governance.

Elected President of Azerbaijan in 1993, he led the nation through economic reforms, political stabilization, and strategic global partnerships. Re-elected in 1998, he continued shaping Azerbaijan’s future until 2003. Heydar Aliyev passed away on December 12, 2003, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and national development.

He was honored with numerous awards, including the USSR’s highest distinctions and international accolades. His contributions continue to inspire future generations.

José Eduardo dos Santos (1942–2022), a graduate of ASOIU (formerly Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute), played a crucial role in Angola’s independence and leadership. After joining the MPLA in his youth, he pursued his education in Baku, earning degrees in petroleum engineering and radar communications in 1969.

Returning to Angola, he became a key figure in the MPLA’s military and political leadership. Following Angola’s independence in 1975, dos Santos held high-ranking government positions before becoming President in 1979. He led the country for 38 years, overseeing its post-war reconstruction, economic development, and oil industry expansion.

One of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, dos Santos shaped modern Angola through his political and economic policies, leaving a lasting legacy.

Irada Ayyubova, born on July 13, 1971, in Baku, graduated from ASOIU with a degree in engineering mathematics. She has held key administrative roles in Tatarstan, including Deputy Minister and First Deputy Minister of Culture (2008–2015), Head of the Main Archive Department (2015–2016), and Chair of the State Committee for Archives (2016–2018). Since 2018, she has served as the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Huseyn Guliyev has been serving as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Uzbekistan since his appointment on October 31, 2012. He presented his credentials to Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov on January 8, 2013. Throughout his tenure, Ambassador Guliyev has actively worked to strengthen the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. He has participated in numerous meetings with Uzbek officials to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and cultural exchanges. Notably, he has been involved in organizing the 14th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between the two countries.

Parviz Shahbazov is a distinguished Azerbaijani diplomat and government official. He graduated from the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy in 1992, specializing in the economy and organization of the oil and gas industry. He began his diplomatic career in 1990 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan.

Shahbazov served in various diplomatic roles, including attaché at the Azerbaijani Embassy in Germany (1992-1996), second secretary and deputy head at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1996-2001), and counselor and chargé d'affaires at the Azerbaijani Embassy in Austria (2001-2005). In 2005, he chaired the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation and was appointed Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Germany, a position he held until 2016.

In 2017, he was appointed as Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy.

Yavar Jamalov was born on 17 October 1949 in Sabirabad region, Azerbaijan. In 2003–2006, he worked as the Director of Azneft production company. In March 2006, he was appointed the Minister of Defense Industry by President Ilham Aliyev.

Since taking office, Jamalov has significantly improved Azerbaijan's military potential, increasing domestic production of arms and weaponry, and cooperating with more than 60 firms in 20 countries. Azerbaijan takes part in the Special Operations Forces Exhibition every two years marketing Azerbaijan-made production.

Arzu Javadova is an accomplished Azerbaijani geologist with a distinguished career spanning more than three decades in the oil and gas sector. She graduated with honors from the Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute in 1989 and holds a Ph.D. in Geology and Mineralogy.

She began her professional career at the same institute, working in academic and research positions until 1996. She then transitioned into industry, serving as a geochemist and senior geologist in various organizations, including Frontera Resources (1997–1999), Salyan Oil (1999–2003), and Delta Hess (2003–2007). From 2007 to 2022, she held senior technical and managerial roles at BP, including chief geologist and hydrocarbon systems analyst.

In 2022, Javadova was appointed Chief Geologist of SOCAR. A year later, on July 28, 2023, she was promoted to Vice President of SOCAR by a presidential decree.

Rafiga Huseynzade was born in 1952 in Baku. She graduated in 1974 from the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy with a specialization in exploration and development of oil and gas fields. She worked as a researcher from 1975 to 1985 and defended her dissertation in 1981 on the geochemical characteristics of the Lower Kura oil and gas fields. She has authored nearly 70 scientific articles and co-authored books on Azerbaijan’s energy partnerships.

From 1985 to 1999, she worked in various scientific roles at Azerbaijan State University’s Isotope Research Laboratory. From 1999 to 2011, she was the managing director of Azlab LLC, a research institution under the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

In 2011, she was appointed vice president for ecology at SOCAR by presidential decree. Throughout her career, she has conducted research at HARC Research Center in Houston, Geolab in Norway, and Statoil’s Research Center, receiving international training and leadership certifications.

Fuad Guliyev is a prominent Azerbaijani petroleum engineer and industrial executive. Born on July 6, 1941, in Baku, he graduated from the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy in 1963 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering.

He began his career at a cement factory in Belarus (1963–1965), later returning to Baku to serve in key roles at the Research and Design Institute of Petroleum Engineering (1965–1973), where he contributed to technological advancements in the oil sector.

From 1973 to 1982, Guliyev held senior positions in Baku’s industrial sector, including Head of Production and Chief Engineer at the Baku Air-Conditioners Factory. In 1982, he was appointed Director of the factory by Heydar Aliyev and remained in that role until 1994.

Artur Rasizade graduated from the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University in 1957 and began his career as an engineer at the Azerbaijani Institute of Oil Mechanical Engineering. He later became Scientific Vice-Principal in 1973 and Director in 1977.

He held key roles in Azerbaijan’s industrial and economic sectors, including Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Committee (1978–1981) and Chief of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (1981–1986). From 1986 to 1992, he served as First Vice-Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Azerbaijan SSR, overseeing energy, oil, and chemical industries.

Rasizade was Prime Minister of Azerbaijan from 1996 to 2018, playing a central role in the country’s economic and industrial policies.

Farah Shekinskaya was a prominent Azerbaijani cultural figure and public official. A graduate of the Azerbaijan Industrial Institute (1958), she began her career as an engineer at the Baku Silk Factory before transitioning into government roles.

She served as an inspector at the Central Committee of the Azerbaijan Communist Party (1960–1970) and later as secretary of the Nizami Rayon Committee (1970–1978). From 1978 to 1989, she led the Culture Department of the Baku City Executive Committee. In 1989, she became Deputy Minister of Culture of the Azerbaijan SSR, a position she continued in post-independence until 1993.

From 1993 to 2012, Shekinskaya directed the Azerbaijan State Children's Philharmonic, significantly contributing to cultural development. In 1998, she was awarded the title of "Honored Worker of Culture of Azerbaijan" by President Heydar Aliyev for her contributions to national culture.

Natig Aliyev (1947–2017) graduated from ASOIU in 1970 with a degree in Mountain Geology. His career began in marine geological exploration, leading to key roles in Azerbaijan’s oil and energy sectors. He became President of SOCAR in 1993 and later chaired major projects like Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.

In 2005, he was appointed Minister of Industry and Energy, later serving as Azerbaijan’s first Minister of Energy. Recognized for his contributions, he was awarded Poland’s Order of Merit in 2009.

Rafig Aliyev (born 1942), a distinguished ASOIU alumnus, is a renowned expert in informatics, management, and artificial intelligence. After earning his degree with distinction in 1963, he completed postgraduate studies in Moscow and later became a Doctor of Technical Sciences.

He played a key role in advancing automated control systems, leading ASOIU’s department from 1989 to 2011. As director of ASOIU’s MBA and BBA programs in partnership with Georgia State University, he contributed to international academic collaboration.

Aliyev has supervised over 130 candidates and 25 doctors of sciences across multiple countries. He has organized international conferences and authored nearly 70 books and 350+ scientific articles on artificial intelligence, Soft Computing, and decision-making systems. His contributions continue to shape global research in informatics and management.

Azad Mirzajanzade (1928–2001), a distinguished ASOIU alumnus, was a pioneering oil and gas scientist whose research revolutionized petroleum extraction technologies. He developed advanced mathematical models for oil reservoir dynamics and optimization of extraction processes, significantly improving efficiency in the industry.

He held key positions at the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Oil Industry, and the USSR Academy of Sciences, leading major research in oil and gas mechanics. As a professor and department head at ASOIU, he trained generations of specialists and modernized science education.

From 1992 to 2001, he chaired the Azerbaijan Higher Attestation Commission and led the State Committee for Science and Technology, shaping national research policies. His contributions continue to impact Azerbaijan’s oil sector and scientific progress.

Genrikh Altshuller (1926–1998) was a Soviet engineer, inventor, and science fiction writer, best known as the founder of TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving), a pioneering methodology for systematic innovation.

While working as a patent examiner in the late 1940s, he began developing TRIZ by analyzing thousands of patents to identify patterns of innovation. He founded the Azerbaijan Public Institute for Inventive Creation and was the first President of the TRIZ Association.

In 1950, Altshuller was arrested during Stalin’s purges and imprisoned in a labor camp, where he continued refining his theories. After his release, he dedicated his life to promoting TRIZ, training engineers, and publishing influential works on creativity and invention.

Altshuller's legacy continues to impact engineering, education, and problem-solving around the world.

Minira Agahuseynova (born 1949) is a distinguished chemist and professor. She earned her doctorate in chemical sciences in 1989 and has led the General and Non-Member Chemistry Department at ASOIU since 1993.

Her research focuses on transition metal complex compounds and extraction methods. She has authored 250 scientific works, 20 textbooks, 6 monographs, and holds 2 patents. A member of prestigious scientific academies, she was named "Woman of the Year" by the International Biography Center (UK) in 2000 and honored as an "Honored Teacher" in 2010.

Vagif Akhundov (born 1950) is a graduate of the Azerbaijan Institute of Petroleum and Chemistry. After serving as an officer in the Soviet Army (1972–1975), he held various positions in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, rising to department head by 1991.

In 1992–1993, he was Chief of the Department of Protection of Supreme State Authorities, and since 1993, he has led the Main Security Department of Azerbaijan’s Supreme State Authorities and Management Bodies.

Fazila Samadova (1929–2020) was an Azerbaijani chemical engineer-technologist, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, and Honored Scientist. A Corresponding Member of ANAS, she was also an Honorary Scientist of Europe and a Member of the New York Academy of Sciences.

Beginning her career in the 1950s, she earned her Candidate of Technical Sciences (1956). From 1960 to 1981, she worked at the Azerbaijan State Institute of Petrochemical Processes, later leading the Petroleum Research and Oil Technology Laboratory (1986). She was awarded Professor (1987) and became a Corresponding Member of ANAS (2001).

Samadova authored 530 scientific works, including 24 monographs and 64 patents, with one book dedicated to her brother, Fuad Samedov. She mentored 4 doctors of sciences and 20 PhD candidates.

Her research focused on oil composition, refining technologies, and distillate and residual oil advancements, significantly contributing to the petrochemical industry.

Zaur Jalilov (born 1981) earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in International Economic Relations from ASOIU. In 2006, he completed advanced studies in International Military Strategy in Italy.

He began his career in the oil sector in 2008, working with "Banchero Costa & Co" and later "LUKOIL-Italia S.R.L" in various managerial roles. Since 2019, he has been the Director of "LUKOIL-Azerbaijan" CJSC. His achievements have been recognized by LUKOIL PSC (2016) and the Russian Ministry of Energy (2019).

Ogtay Asadov, a graduate of ASOIU’s Machinery Manufacturing Technologies Department, has held key roles in industry and politics. He managed the Baku Air Conditioners Plant and later led Azerbaijan’s major water management companies, Absheron Su and Azersu.

Elected to the National Assembly in 2000, he served as Speaker from 2005 to 2020. He also led Azerbaijani delegations in international parliamentary organizations. A member of the New Azerbaijan Party’s Political Council, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2014.

Akif Alizadeh (1934–2023) was a distinguished geologist and academician. After graduating from ASOIU, he dedicated his career to the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), where he became a full member in 1989 and served as its president from 2013 to 2019.

A pioneer in applying isotope geochemistry to paleontology and stratigraphy, he made significant contributions to the study of Azerbaijan’s Cretaceous deposits. Under his leadership, the ANAS Institute of Geology became a leading scientific center. Recognized for his work, he received the State Prize of Azerbaijan in 1991.

Marlen Asgarov (born November 17, 1936) graduated from ASOIU with a degree in Electrical Power Engineering. He held key roles in Azerbaijan’s energy sector, serving as Chief Engineer and later Vice-President of "Azerenergy" ASC from 2005 until his passing. Recognized for his contributions to the country’s energy development, he was awarded the "Shohrat" Order in 2015.

Habib Fataliyev (born April 7, 1942) graduated from ASOIU and later the Baku Higher Party School. He held leadership roles in industry and government, serving as Minister of Local Industry of the Azerbaijan SSR (1987–1989) and First Deputy Head of the Baku City Executive Authority (1991–1999). Throughout his career, he played a key role in Azerbaijan’s industrial and administrative sectors.

Balabala Rzayev is an experienced energy sector leader with a career spanning several decades. He began his career in 1979 as an electrical engineer at the "Absheron Mechanical Irrigation" Department. He held various leadership positions at "Azərsənayeelektrikquraşdırma" trust, including Director until 1998. Afterward, he led "Bakıelektro" ATSC as Chairman of the Board until 2006.

Rzayev then served as Chairman of "Bakıelektrikşəbəkə" ASC, overseeing the modernization of Baku's electrical network. From 2015 to 2018, he was the Chairman of "Azərişıq" ASC, during which he successfully reduced technical losses and upgraded the country's electrical infrastructure. He was appointed President of "Azərenerji" ASC in 2018.

Ali Hasanov has served as Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan since 1998. From 1998 to 2018, he was the chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs, as well as the head of the State Committee for International Humanitarian Aid. He played a key role in overseeing humanitarian aid and housing programs for displaced persons, managing significant state and international funds to improve their living conditions.

Huseynov Gorkhmaz was born in 1965 in Isagli village, Jabrayil district. He graduated from the Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute in 1989 and later from the State Administration Academy in 2004. He began his career in 1989 as an economist-accountant at "Oil Rocks" OGPD and held various leadership roles in Azerbaijan's oil and gas sector. From 2007 to 2011, he served as Vice President for Social Affairs at SOCAR. In 2011, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Azersu JSC, a position he held until 2021.

Dashgin Iskandarov studied oil and gas field development at the Azerbaijan Institute of Oil and Chemistry, graduating in 1991. He began his career as an oil and gas extraction operator at the "28 May" OGED and later held various technical and managerial roles. From 1997 to 2007, he worked with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company and BP. He became chief of the "28 May" OGED (2007–2010), then deputy chief of Azneft Production Union (2010). Since 2011, he has been General Manager of Azneft Production Union.

Lieutenant General Kerim Kerimov was a key figure in the Soviet space program, instrumental in missions like Sputnik 1 (1957), Vostok 1 (1961), and the Salyut space stations (1971–1986). Despite his major contributions, his identity remained classified for years. An expert in rocketry, he worked on the Katyusha launchers during WWII and later played a crucial role in ICBM development (1946–1960). From 1966 to 1991, he led the State Commission on Piloted Flights, overseeing Soviet crewed space missions and interplanetary projects.

Alish Lemberanskiy, an oil engineer, played a crucial role in Baku's urban development. He led a petroleum refinery and later Azerbaijan’s oil refining industry before serving as Mayor of Baku (1958–1966). Under his leadership, Baku saw extensive greening, the renewal of Baku Boulevard, and the creation of landmarks like "Venice" and Café Pearl.

After working in Moscow (1964–1969), he returned to Azerbaijan to lead construction efforts, introducing "micro-regions" and modernizing infrastructure. As Vice Chairman for Construction (1970–1980s), he oversaw key projects, including the Republic Palace, Baku Funicular, Green Theatre, and multiple residential districts, shaping modern Baku.

Khalik Mammadov, an economist and oil industry professional, has been Vice President for Personnel, Regime, and IT at SOCAR since 2007. A graduate of Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute (1984), he held leadership roles in trade unions and Azerbaijan’s oil sector.

His career includes serving as Deputy Chairman of Nizami District Executive Authority (1991–1992), leadership roles at Baku Oil Refinery (1994–2005), and contributions to education and media within SOCAR. He holds a PhD in Economics and has received honors such as the USSR Trade Union Prize (1990), "Distinguished Engineer" of Azerbaijan (2008), and the “For Service to Motherland” Order (2017).

Eldar Movsumzade, a petroleum chemist, graduated from Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute in 1967. He began his academic career in 1968, defending his dissertation in 1970.

He held key roles at AzOKI, including senior researcher (1973–1984), deputy dean for scientific research (1980–1982), and head of the General Chemistry department (1986–1993). He was vice-rector for scientific affairs (1989–1993) and later became a professor at Ufa State Petroleum Technical University in 1993. From 1993 to 2001, he served as deputy director for scientific affairs at ETI.

Rasim Musabayov graduated from Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute in 1973 and later earned a Candidate of Philosophy degree in Moscow (1985). He pursued scientific and pedagogical work (1985–1989) and served as director of the International Relations Department at the Youth Institute in Moscow.

From 1994 to 1999, he was an associate professor at the Baku Political Science Institute. An accomplished author, he has published over 150 works internationally. In 1972, he was awarded the "For Labor Merit" medal.

Fuad Muradov graduated from the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, specializing in Industrial Heat Engineering, and earned a master’s degree in Environment and Oil Industry through a joint program with the University of Nice and the University of Genoa. He holds a Ph.D. in chemistry.

Elected to the Milli Mejlis in 2005 and re-elected in 2010, he has served as a Member of Parliament from Sabail Constituency No. 29. Since 2018, he has been the Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora.

Murtuza Naghiyev earned a PhD in Chemistry in 1940, became a Doctor of Chemistry in 1944, and was appointed Professor in 1945. In 1952, he was elected an Academician of the Azerbaijan SSR Academy of Sciences, where he held key leadership roles, including First Vice-President (1957–1959).

His research focused on oil chemistry, chemical reaction kinetics, and thermodynamics. He developed the theory of recirculation processes, recognized as a new scientific direction in chemistry and chemical technology. He authored 300 scientific works, including 30 fundamental monographs and 12 patents.

A three-time deputy of the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan, he was honored as an "Honored Worker of Science" and Hero of Socialist Labor, receiving the Order of Lenin, the Red Banner of Labor, and other state awards.

Musa Rustamov graduated from the Azerbaijan Industrial Institute in 1952 with a degree in chemical technology. He began his scientific career at the V.V. Kuibyshev Azerbaijan Institute of Petrochemical Processes, later renamed the Y.H. Mammadaliyev Institute of Petrochemical Processes.

In 1961, he defended his candidate dissertation on catalytic heterogeneous processes. He led the "Catalytic Cracking and Pyrolysis" laboratory from 1967 and became Deputy Director for Scientific Work in 1968. From 1987 to 2012, he served as Director of the Institute.

A recognized expert in catalytic cracking and petrochemical processes, he authored numerous scientific works, including the 1966 monograph on catalytic cracking. Currently, he heads the "Chemistry and Technology of Oil and Gas" department.

Tulparkhan Salavatov graduated from the Azerbaijan Institute of Petroleum and Chemistry in 1972 and later earned his PhD in Engineering (1981) and Doctor of Engineering (1990), becoming a Professor in 2003 and a corresponding member of ANAS in 2014.

He began his career as a junior researcher at the Institute of Deep Oil and Gas Fields Problems and later served as a professor and department head. He held key academic roles, including membership in the Supreme Attestation Commission (2001–2008) and Chairman of the Dissertation Council (2017–2018, 2019–present).

Salavatov is a leading expert in oil and gas field development, specializing in alternative methods for field management and dynamic analysis of production indicators.

Panah Suleymanov is an Azerbaijani engineer, Major General, and public servant. He studied Geological Exploration at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy (1978–1983) and held various geophysical and administrative roles.

He served in customs and emergency management, becoming Head of the Academy of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (2009) and earning the rank of Major General. He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering and was awarded the "For Service to the Homeland" Order (2013).

Since 2020, he has been Deputy Director at the Azerbaijan State Oil and Gas Protection and Safety Technology Research Institute.

Namig Tagiyev is an Azerbaijani economist specializing in economic modeling and standardization. He graduated from the Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute (1982) in Automation and Control Systems.

He led the Scientific Research Institute for Economic Reforms (2006–2009) and the Mathematical Economics Department at Baku State University (2006–2016), where he is now a professor. He also held key roles in economic policy and standardization, including at the State Committee for Standardization (2009–2017).

Since 2017, he has been the Director General of the Azerbaijan Institute of Standardization. Tagiyev has authored over 100 scientific works, including 4 monographs and a textbook.

Elchin Zeynalov is a distinguished Azerbaijani engineer specializing in information measurement and computing technology. He graduated with distinction from the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University (1992) and earned his Ph.D. in Engineering (1998) and Doctor of Technical Sciences (2014).

Zeynalov is a successor of Lutfi Zadeh, contributing to non-classical logic theory. He has authored 3 books and over 40 scientific articles, participating in international conferences. From 2007 to 2009, he pursued a second degree in International Economic Relations at the Azerbaijan State University of Economics.

Khoshbakht Yusifzadeh is a distinguished Azerbaijani geologist and oil industry expert. He graduated from the Azerbaijani Institute of Industry in 1952 and began his career as a geologist at Neft Dashlary.

In 1970, he became Assistant Manager and Senior Geologist of the offshore oil and gas department. By 1987, he earned a Doctorate in Geology and Mineralogy. In 1994, he was appointed Vice-President of SOCAR.

Yusifzadeh discovered major oil and gas fields, including Bahar, Gunashli, Azeri, and Chirag. He is a member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and has authored over 127 scientific works, 8 monographs, 4 inventions, and several books.

He has received numerous awards, including the USSR State Prize (1982, 1991), Orders of the Red Banner of Labour, Labour Glory, Sharaf, Istiglal, and the Heydar Aliyev Order (2020) for his contributions to Azerbaijan's oil industry.

Sabit Orujov was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, and began teaching at 16. He graduated from Azerbaijan Industrial Institute at 26. In 1936, he started working at Ordzhonikidzeneft, later becoming production manager of various fields. By 1946, he became Chief Engineer of Krasnodarneft and, in 1948, General Director of Aznefterazvetka (Azerbaijan Oil Exploration).

In 1949, Orujov moved to Moscow as Head of Oil Exploration and Production at the USSR Ministry of Oil Production. He became Deputy Minister in 1955. In 1957, he was appointed Chairman of Sovnarkhoz (Ministry of Economy) of the USSR and, from 1960 to 1962, served as Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Azerbaijan SSR.

Farman Salmanov was born in Shamkir District, Azerbaijan SSR, in a farming family. After graduating with honors from school, he attended the Azerbaijan Industrial Institute and was sent to explore oil in Kuzbass. Realizing there was no oil there, he moved his team to Surgut, Siberia, defying Soviet authorities, as Siberia was not considered an oil-rich region. When he struck oil in the Megion field on March 21, 1961, Soviet officials initially dismissed it, but they later recognized the significance of his discovery.

Salmanov went on to discover or help discover over 100 oil and gas fields, including major reserves like Mamontovskoye, Megionskoye, and Urengoyskoye. His contributions were pivotal to the Soviet Union's energy sector. He was awarded the Hero of Socialist Labor title in 1966 and the Lenin Prize in 1970. From 1978 to 1987, he headed Glavtyumengeology, overseeing oil and gas exploration in Tyumen Oblast. He also served as first deputy to the USSR Minister of Geology from 1987 to 1991.

Nikolai Baibakov was born in 1906 in Sabunchu, near Baku. He graduated from the Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute in 1931 and worked in Azerbaijan’s oil industry. After military service, he quickly rose through the ranks during the Great Purge, becoming head of oil production departments.

In 1941-42, he oversaw the evacuation of oil facilities during the Nazi invasion. He became People’s Commissar for Oil in 1944 and Minister of Oil Industry from 1948-55. In 1955, he was appointed Chairman of Gosplan’s long-term planning division, but after falling out with Khrushchev, he was demoted in 1957.

Baibakov was reinstated as Chairman of Gosplan in 1965 and served in this role until 1985. After stepping down, he continued working with the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Vahid Alekperov was born on 1 September 1950, in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR. In 1974, Alekperov graduated from the Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute with a Master of Science in Engineering. Alekperov is an Azerbaijani oligarch and former President of Lukoil, Russia’s second-largest oil company, serving from 1993 until 2022.

As of March 2025, his net worth is estimated at $28.7 billion, making him the wealthiest person in Russia and the 63rd wealthiest globally. Alekperov previously owned a 36.8% stake in Spartak Moscow football club and was associated with fellow former owner Leonid Fedun. He also owned Heesen Yachts until 2022.

Vitaly Zholobov is a retired Soviet cosmonaut and former head of the Kherson Regional Council in Ukraine. He joined the Soviet Air Force as a Colonel-engineer before joining the space program.

Zholobov’s only spaceflight was aboard Soyuz 21, where he spent 49 days on the Salyut 5 space station in 1976. The mission was originally planned for 60 days but was cut short due to a toxic odor detected onboard, suspected to be from a propellant. Although he never flew again, Zholobov remained in the space program until 1981, when he resigned to become the director of a geological science research group.

Telman Aliev developed a theory and technology for noise analysis of random signals, proposing algorithms to treat noise as a carrier of useful information. His work led to new methods for signal analysis, improving control systems and error correction techniques.

Aliev discovered that, during the early stages of catastrophic accidents, only the noise in signals changes, while instrument readings remain stable. This insight enabled the development of intelligent systems for monitoring and predicting accidents in various fields, including offshore platforms, oil and gas facilities, power plants, and rail systems.

Rashid Javanshir was born in Baku in 1951. He graduated with honors from Baku's School No. 23 and then entered the Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute, where he completed his studies with a Lenin scholarship.

After graduation, Javanshir dedicated his career to science. Despite significant obstacles in Moscow, he successfully defended his candidate dissertation in 1978, focusing on the study and prediction of physical properties in high-pressure zones in the South Caspian Basin.

Javanshir began his career at the Institute of Deep Oil and Gas Deposits Problems at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS). His research led to significant advancements in oil and gas geology and geophysics.

Bakhtiyar Mammadov was born in 1971 in Nakhchivan. He completed his secondary education at Nakhchivan City School No. 3 with distinction (1978–1988) and later pursued a degree in automation of technological processes at the Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute (1988–1993), becoming an engineer in automation.

Mammadov began his career in 1993 at the Azərneftyağ Oil Refinery, working as an equipment technician. Over the years, he held various positions and served as the director at the Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery from 2019 to 2023.

Gurban Abbasov was a prominent Azerbaijani oilman and Hero of Socialist Labor. He earned several prestigious awards, including the Stalin Prize (1951) and Azerbaijan SSR State Prizes (1972, 1991). Abbasov played a significant role in the development of the Azerbaijan oil industry, particularly offshore drilling in the Caspian Sea.

He pioneered the use of floating drilling platforms and led the discovery of major oil fields, including Kaverochkin (Chiraq). His leadership contributed to the construction of deep-water stationary platforms and revolutionized drilling techniques in the Caspian Sea.

Togrul Shakhtakhtinski was born on October 22, 1925, in Baku. He pursued chemical engineering at the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University from 1943-1949. He entered the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences' Oil Institute, where he completed postgraduate studies in 1952.

Shakhtakhtinski served in various academic roles and led the Nakhchivan Scientific Center (1971-1973). He directed the Institute of Theoretical Problems of Chemical Technology at the Academy until 2002 and was the director of the Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry Institute from 2002 to 2010.

Eyyub Tagiyev (b. January 27, 1912, Baku) was an Azerbaijani oil specialist. He graduated from the Azerbaijan Industrial Institute in 1932 and started working at Lokbatan drilling office. By 1937, he became head of the Surakhani experimental drilling office, where his team developed high-speed turbine drill bits, later licensed by Western companies.

During WWII, he led the move of his team to Krasnokamensk, where they discovered new oil fields. In the late 1940s, he became chief engineer of Glavmorneft and introduced innovations in offshore drilling, including using 100-ton turbine vibrators to improve drilling efficiency.

Fakhri Huseynov is an experienced IT and Project Management professional with 15 years of expertise across industries such as Oil & Gas, Commerce, Automotive, Brewery, and Telecommunications. He earned his bachelor's (2001-2005) and master's (2005-2007) degrees in Applied Mathematics from the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University (ASOİU).

Huseynov specializes in business transformation, joint ventures, and IT/business hybrid roles, leading high-performing global teams under tight schedules. A winner of ASOİU’s first "Yukselish" competition (2007), he currently serves as a business partner at Caspian Innovation Center LLC.

Namig Nasrullayev is a distinguished Azerbaijani scientist and engineer. He graduated with distinction from the Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute in 1967 and completed studies in Applied Mathematics at Moscow State University in 1970.

In 1968, he began working under Academician B.N. Petrov on control theory at the USSR Academy of Sciences. In 1978, he earned a Candidate of Technical Sciences degree in nuclear power engineering.

From 1978 to 1987, he served as Deputy Director of the Cybernetics Institute and led the "Cybernetics" Special Design Bureau. Between 1987 and 1995, he directed the "Ulduz" Scientific Production Association and the "Communication Systems" Research Institute.

Nasrullayev holds 15 author’s certificates and has published 32 scientific works.

Arif Hashimov was born on September 28, 1949, in Shahbuz, Nakhchivan. He graduated from the Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute in 1971 and has since been engaged in scientific research in high voltage physics. He defended his candidate dissertation in 1980 and his doctoral dissertation in 1993. From 2002 to 2009, he served as the director of the Institute of Physics at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (AMEA). Currently, he is a professor at the Azerbaijan Technical University and an influential figure in Azerbaijan's scientific community.

Hasan Zeynalov is a seasoned Azerbaijani diplomat and engineer with a long-standing career in public service. From 1970 to 1992, he held various technical and managerial roles in Baku’s municipal structures, including Chief Engineer at the Technical Inventory Bureau and Head of the Communal Services Department of Səbail District.

In 1992, he was elected as a deputy to the first convocation of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. He then served as the Permanent Representative of Nakhchivan in Baku from 1992 to 2004.

Zeynalov began his diplomatic career in 2004 as Consul General of Azerbaijan in Kars, Turkey, and later served in Istanbul (2010–2015), where he was also Azerbaijan’s Permanent Representative to the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization.

From 2015 to 2023, he served as Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, and concurrently as Ambassador to Afghanistan from 2016 to 2021.

Fuad Akhundov (born 1966), a distinguished ASOIU alumnus, played a key role in shaping Azerbaijan’s financial sector. As deputy chairman of the National Bank (1993-1995), he led IMF and World Bank negotiations and developed currency regulation laws. As chairman of the International Bank (1995-2001), he introduced ATMs and credit cards in Azerbaijan.

He later held leadership roles in major financial institutions, including Uralsib Bank and United Capital. A board member of the "Victoria" charity fund, he holds diplomas from the International Financial Center of Japan and the IMF’s Vienna Institute.