Chair: IDDA has joint startup initiatives with almost all academies

The Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA), operating under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, is actively collaborating with both local and international institutions to attract skilled talent and professionals to the country.

According to Report, IDDA Chairman Farid Osmanov made the statement during a panel at the INMerge Innovation Summit. He noted that the agency has joint educational programs, startup initiatives, and incubation projects with nearly all major academies.

"In the past three years, around 10,000 students have graduated from our programs, and about 70% of them are now employed," said Osmanov. "We also work closely with international institutions. A strong example is our three-year collaboration with Technion University, which has resulted in a 78% employment rate among 400 graduates. We're focusing not only on innovation, AI, and digital technologies but also on cybersecurity, which is in high demand in the market today."

Osmanov also highlighted the growing interest of foreign companies in the Azerbaijani market, citing firms like Palm and Andersen. "With Andersen, we launched a 'Hire and Train' program. In the first month alone, we received 14,000 applications, but only 100 participants were selected. From day one, they are working on real tasks and practical examples," he said.

He added that such programs will help bring more international services into the country and strengthen Azerbaijan's position as an ICT service exporter. "This will open doors to new international contracts and accelerate the development of the ecosystem," he concluded.