The final stage of the XV Republican Project Competition “Sabahın Alimləri” (Scientists of Tomorrow) was held on March 3–5. The opening ceremony took place on March 3, during which participants presented posters and research specimens. Within the framework of the final stage, the respective projects were presented and discussed. The award ceremony was organized on March 5 at the Baku Higher Oil School.

At the competition, students of grades IX–XI presented scientific research projects in the fields of mathematics, physics and astronomy, chemistry, biology, medicine, health, ecology and environmental management, engineering, computer science, robotics, and artificial intelligence. In total, 760 projects were submitted to the competition, and according to the results of the selection stage, 152 projects advanced to the final round.

Speaking at the award ceremony, the Deputy Ministers of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Firudin Gurbanov and Kenan Karimzade, emphasized the important role of such competitions in developing the scientific and innovative potential of young people. The Rector of the Baku Higher Oil School, Elmar Gasimov, also addressed the audience and congratulated the winners.

According to the results of the competition, participants received 107 medals in total, including 16 gold, 35 silver, and 56 bronze medals, as well as 6 special awards.

The project entitled “The Effect of Phytohormones on Cytological and Histological Changes in Cell Culture of Different Wheat Varieties under In Vitro Conditions”, presented by Mehriban Sattarova, an 11th-grade student of ADA School, was awarded first place (gold medal) in the field of biology.

The scientific supervisor of the project was Academician Irada Huseynova, Acting Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, while the laboratory mentor was Gunay Ismayilova, a research scientist of the Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of the institute.

The technical facilities of the Electron Microscopy Department of Azerbaijan Medical University were used in conducting the research, and the relevant investigations were carried out with the participation of Fuad Rzayev, PhD in Biology.

It should be noted that the “Sabahın Alimləri” competition is organized by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the State Agency for Preschool and General Education, the Institute of Education, and the Republican Committee of the Trade Union of Education Workers. The main objective of the competition is to increase students’ interest in scientific research activities.

We congratulate the young researcher Mehriban Sattarova on this achievement and wish her further success in her future education and scientific career.