As part of the national agreement between the Ministry of Science and Education (MSE) and Clarivate, the Institute of Information Technology hosted a training session on the efficient utilization of the "ProQuest Central" academic database and the "Web of Science" scientometric platform. The event was co-organized by the State Agency for Science and Higher Education, the MSE Institute of Information Technology, and Clarivate's local representative office.
The training session brought together more than 120 representatives from research institutions and organizations operating under the Ministry of Science and Education.
Opening the event with introductory remarks, Academician Rasim Alguliyev, Vice-President of ANAS and Director General of the Institute, highlighted that consistent and purposeful measures are being implemented by the State Agency for Science and Higher Education toward the development of science in the country, enhancing the efficiency of scientific activities, and strengthening the competitiveness of Azerbaijani science internationally.
Academician Rasim Alguliyev noted that in the modern era, the application of artificial intelligence technologies and digital analytical tools brings new approaches to scientific research. According to the scientist, using international scientific databases in a targeted way enables researchers to analyze existing knowledge on a topic more systematically, identify current research directions, track global scientific trends, and improve the quality of scientific studies.
Emphasizing the importance of the national agreement signed between the MSE and Clarivate, the Director General noted that providing nationwide direct access to international scientific databases expands researchers' access to scientific resources, helps improve research quality, and aligns it with international standards.
Academician Rasim Alguliyev also drew attention to the importance of publishing the findings of Azerbaijani scientists in prestigious, high-impact-factor international journals and presenting them at reputable scientific conferences. He stated that this holds great significance for promoting Azerbaijani science globally, integrating local researchers into international scientific networks, and expanding their opportunities to participate in international grant projects.
Concluding his speech, Academician Rasim Alguliyev emphasized the importance of utilizing new AI-driven services of international scientific databases, encouraged researchers to actively take advantage of these resources, and wished the training session success.
Then, Khayala Hajiyeva, Clarivate’s official representative in Azerbaijan, delivered a speech highlighting ongoing efforts to represent Azerbaijan's scientific potential on international platforms and expand the global accessibility of research outcomes. She pointed out that the journal Problems of Information Society, published by the Institute of Information Technology, was the very first journal from Azerbaijan to be indexed in the DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals) international directory. Khayala Hajiyeva also stated that within the framework of the state program, digital repositories are being established at universities and scientific institutions to ensure international accessibility for scientific research and dissertations. Emphasizing the necessity of providing continuous support for the efficient use of "Web of Science" and "ProQuest" resources, she expressed her gratitude to the institute's management for organizing the event.
Speaking at the event, Handan Ilic, Customer Success Manager at Clarivate, provided overview insights into the capabilities of "ProQuest Central", its application in scientific research, and its role in expanding access to scholarly sources. She noted that training sessions of this nature are being conducted for representatives of relevant institutions in Azerbaijan, Türkiye, the Baltic states, and Bulgaria. Handan Ilic emphasized that the efficient use of academic information resources plays a crucial role in enabling researchers to access essential literature, supporting the research process, and enhancing overall scientific quality.
Subsequently, Handan Ilic delivered a presentation titled "Start Your Research Journey with ProQuest Central," while Khayala Hajiyeva presented on "From Scientific Research to Impact: An Effective Research Strategy with Clarivate Platforms." The trainers provided participants with detailed information about Clarivate's key resources, including "ProQuest Central" and "Web of Science," demonstrating effective strategies for utilizing these platforms throughout the research lifecycle.
The event concluded with an extensive Q&A session and discussion regarding the presented resources, where participants' questions were addressed and key priorities for future activities were identified.
