The final conference of the ECAR project, which marked the conclusion of the "Establishment of Azerbaijan Conference of Rectors" (ECAR) project, was attended by representatives of ASCCA. This project was funded by the European Union and implemented under the capacity building category of the EU Erasmus+ program in higher education (2020-2024). The Academy of the State Customs Committee, a full member of the international consortium of the ECAR project, was represented at the conference by Jamila Namazova, the deputy head of the Academy, and Elvin Mejidov, the coordinator of international cooperation and projects.

The conference aimed to discuss the significance of the project, which was prepared and submitted to the European Commission and selected in the grant competition. It also focused on analyzing the project's performance and achievements during the implementation period, its impact on the higher education system of Azerbaijan and the collaborating higher education institutions, the activities of the main beneficiary partners of the project consortium from Europe, and the potential sustainability of its outcomes after the conclusion of the project.

During the event, distinguished speakers, including Nijat Mammadli, advisor to the Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ibad Abbasov, rector of Baku Business University, and representatives from European countries, discussed the strategic aspects of the project. They highlighted the significance of the project's outcomes for higher education institutions, their role in integrating into the European higher education space, and the importance of internationalization in the field of higher education.

 Eshqin Bayramov, vice-rector for international relations of Baku Business University, and Gulshan Bayramova, director of the University-Industry Cooperation department, provided detailed information about the project's goals, objectives, and implementation stages in their reports and presentations.

Following the speeches, a ceremony was held to present the Multilateral Partnership Agreement signed by 21 Azerbaijani higher education institutions, marking the conclusion of the project.

The Erasmus+ ECAR project was successfully implemented through the collaboration of Baku Business University, with financial support from the European Commission. The project's duration spanned four years. The Academy of the State Customs Committee joined the project in April 2022 after its partnership was evaluated and accepted by the project consortium and the European Commission in 2021.  The Academy's involvement in the project encompassed activities related to internationalization, strategic development, scientific works, and various other domains. Notably, the project proved to be of significant importance for the Academy, as it facilitated the learning and application of advanced practices from Sweden, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, and Spain.

It is funded by the European Union (EU). However, the opinions and considerations expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the EU or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). The EU and EACEA bear no responsibility for them.