UFAZ Alumni Won the “Mature Your PhD 2025” Competition

Two Master's graduates from the French-Azerbaijani University (UFAZ) - Shabnam Feyziyeva and Elsun Azizov, specialized in Physical Chemistry/Chemical Engineering master program, are among the seven winners of the international "Mature your PhD 2025" competition held in France. Both winners are currently pursuing their doctoral studies at the University of Strasbourg (UNISTRA) in France within the framework of a state program of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Elsun Azizov was awarded the Pépite Etena prize within the framework of the competition. His research is dedicated to the conversion of municipal waste into carbon materials that

ensure the sustainable storage of energy. The research is being conducted in collaboration with CNRS Alsace at the Institute of Chemistry and Processes for Energy, Environment and Health (ICPEES) laboratory, which operates under the University of Strasbourg.

Shabnam Feyziyeva’s research focuses on the synthesis and application of new functional porous materials belonging to the MOF family for the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) and its conversion into valuable chemicals. The research is being conducted at the Institute of Chemistry and Processes for Energy, Environment and Health (ICPEES) and the Laboratory of Chemistry of Complex Materials (CMC), which operate under the University of Strasbourg. Simultaneously, the project she submitted within the "Mature Your PhD 2025" competition is dedicated to the conversion of methanol into environmentally friendly "green fuel" and has significant innovative potential in terms of developing alternative fuel types and reducing the carbon footprint.

It should be noted that the "Mature Your PhD" program is implemented by SATT Conectus in cooperation with universities and scientific research institutions located in the Alsace region of France. The program aims to uncover and develop the innovative potential existing in the dissertation works of 2nd and 3rd-year doctoral students and young researchers. The program provides winners with the opportunity to get closely acquainted with the innovation environment, evaluate the practical application possibilities of their research results, and gain initial experience about the startup ecosystem.