Our story

The Foundation supports ADA University in fostering the development of students and enabling exceptional minds to reach their utmost capabilities. It provides a platform for lifelong learners to not only acquire knowledge but also seize the opportunity to tackle the challenges of transforming the world into a resilient and inclusive place. ADA University Foundation is beyond fundraising, more than endowment. It takes place at the epicenter of a university-industry partnership. Throughout the years, the Foundation has attracted partners, sponsors, and donors to support ADA University in fulfilling its groundbreaking initiatives that shape the future of education, disseminate knowledge and expertise, and inspire lifelong learning.

As the largest revenue source for ADA University, the Foundation supports specific aspects of the university’s core mission. Providing a financial backup to the ADA University's regionalization strategy is just one of the examples. The generous contribution of the sponsors and partners is the catalyst for transforming historical buildings into educational institutes in the regions of Azerbaijan, including Gazakh, Ganja, and Shaki. The ADA University Foundation is at the center of the potential and opportunity duos. By supporting students and faculty, the accumulated funds are designated to build a more equitable education system that addresses the needs of the diverse ADA University community.

We are a university with seven Schools. Our School of Public and International Affairs, School of Business, School of IT and Engineering, School of Education, School of Law, School of Agricultural and Food Sciences, and School of Design and Architecture offer undergraduate and graduate degrees. Our mission is to cultivate highly intellectual solution providers who are closely collaborating, efficiently communicating members of the global community, with ethics and sense of citizenship. ADA University's vision is to be a world-class university in Azerbaijan with the excellence of “müəllim and alim” embedded into an innovative learning culture.

The support of Government of Azerbaijan is expressed in a significant capital investment through which ADA University has been building a world-class campus. The government’s strong financial support during the launch years has also ensured the university’s continuous promise to quality. ADA University’s goal, instead, is to ultimately become self-sufficient, to help meet the needs of the Azerbaijani people through research and learning. This will be made possible by a permanent endowment fund.

The Washington Center of ADA University, also known as ADA University Foundation, started in 2007 as a non-profit organization in the District of Columbia. We are organized exclusively for charitable purposes to support ADA University and its programs. 

Built in 1900 and located just steps away from Dupont Circle and Philipps Collection, our building is a marvel of old-world craftsmanship and contemporary design. Completely renovated in 2015, it has become a charm of Washington DC’s Gallery Row.

Spanning over 4 floors, we promote social, fraternal and networking opportunities; facilitate educational activities and exchanges; promote cultural awareness and advance cultural ties between the United States and Azerbaijan. Together with ADA University, we also manage a modest endowment fund in the United States to support our programs and exchanges.

Gazakh Teachers' Seminary, the heir of Gori Teachers' Seminary, is an embodiment of their services and endeavors. The incredible journey of relocating the Azerbaijani branch of Gori Teachers’ Seminary to Gazakh, Azerbaijan, is a testimony to the unwavering determination of Firudin Bey Kocharli, the Azerbaijani enlightener and founder of Azerbaijan literary historiography, and his mission aide, his wife Ms. Badisaba (mainly recognized as “Badisaba ana” or “Mother Badisaba” due to her remarkable services). Gazakh Teachers' Seminary is a narrative of rebirth. Established in 1918, the Seminary operated as Gazakh Pedagogical Technical College from the 1920s until the 1940s. Throughout its existence, 3000 + educators were trained here until 1959. However, from 1959 till 2022, the Seminary stopped operating; the doors were closed and the classrooms filled with a melancholic darkness. But all the darkness was a sign of the brilliant tomorrows that awaited the Seminary.

ADA University made a very long distance, and reached Gazakh by following the footsteps of education devotees, with one mission in mind: give a second life to the Seminary, reopen its doors, light up the dark classrooms, and ignite the flame of enlightenment more fervently than ever before. 

So, to one who asks about the age of the Seminary, ADA University proudly gives an answer: 1918 - ∞. Missionaries of education ignited the flame of enlightenment and worked tirelessly towards educating the sons and daughters of our nation. They served and successfully fulfilled their mission. Inspired by the services of its successor, ADA University embraced a noble pursuit, encouraged its philanthropic partners to forge a commitment to breathing a second life into this temple of enlightenment. ADA University signed an Agreement of Intention with its philanthropic partners—The National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations, NEQSOL Holding, Heydar Aliyev Foundation, PMD Group MMC and Azerbaijan Society of America, came together to rebuild and renovate the Seminary. It was a testimony of the University-Industry partnership towards building a powerful intellectual force taking its roots from the Seminary.