Western Caspian University

School of Design

Deputy Dean, Member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan; Member of the Azerbaijan Watercolor Society; Member of IWS Azerbaijan

Leyla Vazehi Efendiyeva was born on August 8, 1990, in Baku, Azerbaijan. She began her education in 1996 at Secondary School No. 210 in Baku and graduated in 2007. In 2008, she was admitted to the Bachelors degree program in the Faculty of Architectural Design at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, majoring in Carpet Design. She continued her education at the Masters level in 2012 in the field of Restoration and Expertise of Decorative and Applied Artworks. She graduated with distinction from both programs, earning two Red Diplomas of Excellence. My Activities 2010 – I became a member of the Azerbaijan Carpet Makers Public Union, the only non-governmental organization from Azerbaijan represented at UNESCO. I am a professional carpet artist and also create miniature carpets in the Eastern illustration style. 2013 – I became a member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan. 2020 – I joined the Azerbaijan Watercolor Society (IWS Azerbaijan). I am currently an active member of this society and have become a professional in this field of painting. 2022 – I became a member of the International Professional Art Association (VIPAA), based in New York, USA. 2023 – I joined F.I.A.G Art Group, South Korea.   Scientific Publications and Works 2024 – My syllabus for the subject “Drawing”, taught within the bachelors degree program in Design, was approved and published by Order No. 3-29/3-2-69F/2024 of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, dated February 22, 2024. 2024 – My syllabus for the subject “Painting”, taught within the bachelors degree program in Design, was also approved and published by the same order. 2024 – The textbook “Painting” intended for bachelors level students in the field of Design was approved for use in higher education institutions and published by Order No. 3-29/3-2-230F/2024 of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, dated May 3, 2024.   Exhibitions Participated 2010–2016 (Domestic Exhibitions) 2010 – Solo exhibition “New Breath”, Museum Center 2010 – “Youth Day”, V. Samedova Exhibition Hall 2010 – “March 8 – International Womens Day”, V. Samedova Exhibition Hall 2011 – “Khojaly Tragedy”, Azerbaijan State Museum of Independence 2011 – “Germany Through the Eyes of an Artist”, Kopelhaus 2011 – “Youth Day”, V. Samedova Exhibition Hall 2011 – “Decorative Applied Arts Exhibition”, Russian Federation Culture and Art Center 2012 – “March 8”, V. Samedova Exhibition Hall 2012 – “Youth Day”, V. Samedova Exhibition Hall 2013 – “Khojaly Tragedy Through the Eyes of Young Artists”, Azerbaijan Art Consulate 2014 – “Youth Day”, V. Samedova Exhibition Hall 2016 – “Tolerance”, V. Samedova Exhibition Hall 2016 – “Genocide”, Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy 2020–2025 (International and Online Exhibitions) 2020 – Art for Autism, Nepal 23 Nisan Childrens Day – "Great Achievements of Little Hands", Turkey “Butterflys Dream” – World Art Day, Turkey Manikarnika Art Gallery, India Tribute to the African Continent, Norway Aspors China–Romania, South Korea Spring Colors Show, Romania Happy School 24th Mosaic, USA 1st International Virtual Art Exhibition – Zobra, Bangladesh Extraordinarire World Records 2021 – Lotus Libya, Libya February in Ankara, Turkey 9th Art Exhibition Show, India IWS Belgrade – Zenska Dusa, Serbia Traditional Traces – Azerbaijan & Turkey Queens Foundation for Cultures and Arts 45th UNS Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia Artlife Herati Flower Festival, Azerbaijan Climate Change in Arctic and Antarctic, Norway Nomades “No Más Violencia”, Venezuela 19 May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, Turkey Buddha Jayanti Celebration, India 15 July Democracy Plastic Arts Virtual Exhibition, Turkey “Art is Wealth” International Exhibition, Nigeria International Island Exhibition – 23 April, Turkey “Beyond Imagination”, Virtual Exhibition (Philippines–Azerbaijan, where I acted as the organizer to promote collaboration between Azerbaijani and Filipino artists) 2022 – “Woman and Nature”, India Consorcio Universal De la Ciencia U Bella Artist, Cuba “Expressing the Woman”, USART International Online Mixed Exhibition, Turkey World Art Day Plastic Arts Exhibition, Turkey Award of Excellence – International Art Exhibition, Kingdom of Morocco International Professional Art Association (VIPAA), New York, USA Independence March and M. Akif Ersoy Exhibition, Turkey Grito De Mujer 2022, Mexico “Woman is Nature”, Iran IWS Globe 10th Anniversary Exhibition, Azerbaijan BIEAF International Exhibition, Busan, South Korea 2023 – Femina – Cucba Se Otorga al artista plástica Women Artists of the World – Mujeres Artistas Del Mundo Palabras de Paz – Communicating Peace, Argentina “Pulse of Art” – International Contest, IWS NFT, Turkey 11th International Bird Festival of Coatepec, Mexico 24 November TeachersDay Exhibition, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Turkey Universal Brush Society – Goodwill and Arts Association “The City and the People” – Virtual Collective International Exhibition National and International Collective Virtual Exhibition, Venezuela YILAOB Cultural Center – CDMX, Mexico International Postal Art Exhibition 2024 – “Harmony of Water and Color”, IWS Azerbaijan 2025 – March 18 Çanakkale Victory Exhibition, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Turkey Frida Kahlo – Cucba Consorcio Universal de la Ciencia y las Bellas Artes Carlos Sanchez Gallery “Mujeres Célebres” – Cucba Consorcio Universal de la Ciencia y las Bellas Artes Carlos Sanchez Gallery

School of Design

Vice-Rector for Extracurricular Activities, Associate Professor, PhD in Art, Honored Artist, Member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan

Sevda Sadıxbeyova was born in 1970 in Baku. She graduated with honors from the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts between 1988 and 1994. She has participated in numerous national and international exhibitions and conferences. From 2004 to 2015, she served as Dean of the Faculty of Painting at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. Since 2005, she is a member of the Azerbaijan Union of Artists. In 2010, she earned her PhD degree in Art Studies. She has been laureate of the III International Caricature Competition dedicated to Əzim Əzimzadəs 130th anniversary. Sevda Sadıxbəyova has held individual exhibitions in countries such as Turkey, Russia (Moscow), Ukraine (Kyiv), Poland, Spain, Israel, and others, with her works preserved in private collections worldwide. In 2013, she was awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan. She served as Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Professor at the Baku Choreography Academy from 2015 to 2021. She is the author of the textbook “History of Scenography” (2018) and has published about 30 scientific articles. Since 2021, she has been serving as Dean of the Design School at Western Caspian University.

School of Design

Professor, Doctor of Arts; Member of the Union of Architects and Designers of Azerbaijan

Elçin Tofiq oğlu Əliyev was born on September 18, 1967, in Baku. In 1989, he graduated with honors from the Architecture Faculty of the Azerbaijan Institute of Civil Engineers. From 2012 to 2017, he served as the Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Union of Architects. Since 2014, he has been a member of the Youth Commission of the International Union of Architects. Elçin Əliyev has been a faculty member at Western Caspian University since 2015.

School of Design

PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor; Member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan; Member of the Russian Imperial House Society; Member of the Azerbaijan Genealogy and Historical Society

Gulrana Mirza was born on January 13, 1956, in Baku, Azerbaijan. She graduated with distinction from the Bulbul Specialized Secondary Music School in 1974, and in 1979, she completed her studies at the Uzeyir Hajibeyov Azerbaijan State Conservatory, also with honors. Between 1979 and 2002, she taught at Music Schools No. 23 and No. 2, as well as at Tusi Pedagogical University. Since 2002, she has been working at the Institute of Architecture and Art of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan and Western Caspian University. Since 2001, she has been a member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, the Russian Imperial House Society, and the Azerbaijan Genealogy and Historical Society.

School of Design

Senior Lecturer; Member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan

Elnur Rasulov was born on July 28, 1962, in the Balakan district of Azerbaijan. From 1980 to 1986, he studied at the Azimzade State Art School (currently Azimzade Art College), with an interruption from 1980 to 1982 due to military service. In 1986, he successfully completed the full course of study specializing in Drawing and Calligraphy Teaching. He continued his education in 1987–1988 at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, specializing in painting. From 1988 to 1994, he pursued further studies at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts named after A. Huseynzade.        

School of Design

Member of the Azerbaijan Artists Union, Teacher

Aysu Farid gizi Aliyeva was born on July 17, 2000, in Baku, Azerbaijan. From an early age, her painting and drawing works were exhibited under the name of School No. 8. On December 18, 2015, she participated in the painting competition titled "A World Full of Mercy," dedicated to International Migrants Day. In 2016, she was awarded 1st place in the British Councils competition "Artistic Reading of Poetry and Prose in English." She also received a diploma for winning 1st place in a school-level Mathematics competition. From 2017 to 2021, she pursued her Bachelors degree in Industrial Design at the Faculty of Architecture and Design, Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, graduating with distinction. Between 2021 and 2023, she completed her Masters degree in Industrial and Graphic Design at the same institution, also graduating with honors. Her notable achievements include: Participation in the "Voice of Karabakh" young artists exhibition in 2018 with her work "Defender," for which she received a distinction diploma. Selection into the SABAH groups in 2018 and completion with honors in 2021. Presentation of her artwork "Mother" at an exhibition in Germany in 2019, dedicated to the Khojaly Genocide. Exhibition of marquetry and miniature works at the "Princes School of Traditional Art" in London as part of a SABAH group international program, with her works donated to The Princes Foundation. Active participation in the "2nd International Summer School" organized by the Azerbaijan State University of Agriculture in collaboration with the Academy of Fine Arts. Recognition for participation in the "Nizami and Schiller" Design Competition in 2021. In 2022, her watercolor work was showcased in the "Harmony of Water and Color – 2022" exhibition organized by IWS Azerbaijan and the Khatai Art Center. In 2024, she became a member of the Youth Union of the Azerbaijan Artists Union. Since 2023, she has been working as a full-time lecturer at Western Caspian University. Subjects Taught: Fundamentals of Design Basics of Project Graphics Color Composition and Typography Modeling Portfolio Development Photo Design Fundamentals of Project Planning

School of Design

Member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, Lecturer

Qızqayıt Elman Quluyeva was born on May 13, 1991, in Sarı Özək settlement, Taldy-Kurgan region, Kazakhstan. Between 2005 and 2007, she continued her education at Çuxanlı village secondary school named after Ziyad Həmidov in the Salyan district. From 1999 to 2006, she studied at the Göy-Göl 7-year Children’s Music School named after Ashiq Shamsir, graduating in the specialty of piano performance. In 2005, she completed a 20-month tailoring course at the Ganja Garrison Officers’ House. In 2010, she was admitted to the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Design and Fine Arts. Between 2015 and 2017, she pursued her Master’s degree in the History and Theory of Design Art at the Faculty of Fine Arts at the same university.

School of Design

Lecturer

Zumrud Aliyeva was born on July 9, 1983, in Baku. She studied at Osman Mirzayev Secondary School No. 190 from 1990 to 2000. In 2006, she graduated with a Bachelors degree in "Advertising Art" from the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts. In 2015, she earned a Masters degree in "History and Theory of Fine Arts" from the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. Since 2007, she has worked at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts as a laboratory assistant. From 2011, she served as a teaching assistant, and from 2015, she worked as an hourly-paid lecturer in the Department of Design. Since 2018, she has been an hourly-paid lecturer at the Department of Design at Western Caspian University. Since 2020, she has held a full-time lecturer position at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts in the Department of Design. She is the author of the textbook “Fundamentals of Printing.” Teaching Areas: Graphic Design Computer Graphics and Informatics Project Design in Graphic Design Layout Design in Graphic Design Project Graphics and Color Composition Materials, Techniques, and Technologies

School of Design

Member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan

Asli Abbasova Zeynalabdin qizi was born on September 10, 1997, in Kazakhstan. From 2004 to 2015, she studied at Secondary School No. 169 named after N. Rzayev in Baku. In 2015, she was admitted to the Faculty of Design and Architecture at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, majoring in Design. She graduated with honors in 2019 with a Bachelors degree. That same year, she was admitted to the Masters program in Interior Design at the same academy and successfully completed it with distinction in 2021.

School of Design

Member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, Lecturer

Aysel Khukhmazova Aydin gizi was born on April 21, 1993, in Baku, Azerbaijan, into an intellectual family. After completing her secondary education at School No. 167 in the Yasamal district of Baku, she was admitted in 2010 to the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. She graduated in 2014 with a Bachelors degree in Design. In the same year, she was accepted into the Masters program in the Faculty of Architecture and Design at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, and she completed her graduate studies in 2016 with distinction, earning a Masters degree in Design. From 2016 to 2022, she worked as a designer at the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum. During the 2018–2019 academic year, she also taught Design courses part-time at Odlar Yurdu University. Since 2023, she has been a full-time lecturer in the Department of Design at Western Caspian University. She has been a member of the Youth Section of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan since 2018. She is fluent in Russian, English, and Spanish.

School of Design

Lecturer

My name is Gunel Asgarzade Zafar gizi. I was born on August 3, 1982, in Baku, Azerbaijan. I began my education at Secondary School No. 17 and, from an early age, developed a strong passion for learning and the arts. After completing school, I was admitted to the Faculty of Design at Western University in 1999, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree. I later pursued a Master’s degree at the same university, further deepening my knowledge and skills. My professional journey has been diverse. I have worked in various fields, including design and English language instruction, both of which I find deeply fulfilling. With over 8 years of teaching experience, I greatly enjoy helping students enhance their creative and language skills. In addition, I have more than 10 years of experience working in a printing company, where I gained valuable expertise in design and print production. This period played a significant role in shaping my career, offering the opportunity to work in a dynamic and creative environment. Photography, especially portrait photography, is one of my key passions. I continuously seek to grow in this area, striving to create unique images that capture emotional and beautiful moments. I consider my life to be a continuous journey of development and exploration, and I take pride in integrating my personal interests with my professional career.

School of Design

Müəllim, s.ü.f.d

Abdullayeva Ulya Rövşən qızı 20 fevral 1990-cı ildə Gürcüstanda anadan olmuşdur.   2005-2009-cu illərdə Azərbaycan Dövlət Rəssamlıq Akademiyasının “Sənətşünaslıq” fakültəsinin “Təsviri incəsənət tarixi və nəzəriyyəsi” ixtisasını bakalavr səviyyəsi üzrə, 2011-2014-cü illərdə isə həmin ixtisasın magistratura səviyyəsini fərqlənmə diplomu ilə bitirmişdir. 2024-cü ildə sənətşünaslıq üzrə Fəlsəfə doktoru elmi dərəcəsini almışdır.   2009-cu ildə Azərbaycan Dövlət Rəssamlıq Akademiyasının “Təsviri sənət”  fakültəsinin “Heykəltəraşlıq” kafedrasında laborant vəzifəsində işə başlamışdır. 2012-2019-cu illər ərzində həmin kafedrada baş laborant vəzifəsində çalışmışdır. 2017-ci ildən başlayaraq Azərbaycan Dövlət Rəssamlıq Akademiyasının “Sənətşünaslıq” fakültəsinin “İncəsənət tarixi” kafedrasında əvvəlcə saathesabı, 2019-2023 – cü illər ərzində isə 0,5 ştat  müəllim vəzifəsində çalışıb. 2021-2022-ci tədris ili ərzində Azərbaycan Dövlət Rəssamlıq Akademiyasının “Sənətşünaslıq” fakültəsinin Fakültə Elmi Şurasının elmi katibi vəzifəsində çalışmışdır. 2023-2024 – cü tədris ili ərzində Azərbaycan  Dövlət  Mədəniyyət və İncəsənət Universitetinin “Rəssamlıq” fakültəsinin “Təsviri sənət tarixi və nəzəriyyəsi” kafedrasında tam ştat  müəllim vəzifəsində çalışıb. 2023-2024-cü tədris ilinin payız semestri üzrə  Azərbaycan  Dövlət  Mədəniyyət və İncəsənət Universitetinin “Rəssamlıq” fakültəsinin Yekun Dövlət Attestasiyası Buraxılış işinin müdafiəsinin elmi katibi vəzifəsində çalışmışdır. 17 noyabr 2023-cü il tarixində Azərbaycan Dövlət Mədəniyyət və İncəsənət Universitetinin 100 illiyi münasibətilə Milli Kitabxanada “Azərbaycan sənətşünaslığı Şərq-Qərb dialoqu kontekstində” adlı beynəlxalq elmi-praktik konfransının “Təsviri sənət” bölməsi üzrə moderator kimi çıxış etmişdir.   2013-cü ildən başlayaraq müxtəlif elmi-mətbuat orqanlarında bir çox məqalələr və tezislərlə çıxış etmişdir, yerli və beynəlxalq konfranslarda iştirak etmişdir.   2013-cü ildən başlayaraq müxtəlif yerli sərgilərin iştirakçısıdır. 2015-ci ildə “Tolerant Azərbaycan gənci” layihəsinin iştirakçısı olaraq “Ruh birliyi” adlı rəngkarlıq əsəri YUNESKO-nun muzey ekspozisiyasına daxil edilməsi məqsədilə 26 oktyabr 2015-ci il tarixində Paris şəhərində YUNESKO-nun Baş Qərargahında keçirilən 9-cu YUNESKO Gənclər Forumunda təşkilatın baş direktoru xanım İrina Bokovaya təqdim edilmişdir. 2016-cı ildə keçirilən “Almaniya bir rəssamın gözü ilə” adlı sərgi-müsabiqəsində 3-cü yerə layiq görülmüşdür. 2016-ci ildə keçirilən FVTVRİSMO ORA sərgisində iştirak etmişdir. 2017-ci ildən Azərbaycan Rəssamlar İttifaqının Gənclər Bölməsinin üzvüdür.   Hal-hazırda Qərbi Kaspi Universitetinin “Dizayn məktəbi” fakültəsində tam ştat müəllim vəzifəsində çalışır.

School of Design

Müəllim

17 iyul 1998-ci ildə anadan olmuşdur. 2006–2014-cü illərdə Arif Hüseynzadə adına 20 nömrəli tam orta məktəb-liseydə, 2014–2016-cı illərdə isə Paşa Nəzərov adına 60 nömrəli tam orta məktəbdə təhsil almışdır. Ali təhsilini Azərbaycan Memarlıq və İnşaat Universitetində almış, Memarlıq ixtisası üzrə bakalavr, Şəhərsalma ixtisası üzrə isə magistr dərəcəsi əldə etmişdir. Təhsil dövründə universitetin RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Part 1 akkreditasiyası prosesində iştirak etmiş, təqdim etdiyi layihələr beynəlxalq standartlara uyğun qiymətləndirilmişdir. 2020-ci ildən etibarən memarlıq və dizayn sahəsində peşəkar fəaliyyət göstərir. Müxtəlif memarlıq və dizayn layihələrinin hazırlanması və idarə olunması sahəsində təcrübəyə malikdir. Hazırda müəllim, memar və dizayn layihələri üzrə layihə rəhbəri kimi fəaliyyətini davam etdirir. Hal-hazırda Dizayn Məktəbində “Mühit dizaynı” və “Kompozisiya” fənlərini tədris edir. Tədris prosesində real iş mühitinin modelləşdirilməsinə, məkanın funksional və estetik həllinə, həmçinin tələbələrin müstəqil peşəkar kommunikasiya bacarıqlarının inkişafına xüsusi önəm verir. Rəsm və incəsənət yönümlü fəaliyyətlərə, eləcə də yaradıcı sahibkarlığa maraq göstərir. Elmi fəaliyyətlə məşğul olur və hazırda nəşr üçün elmi məqalələr üzərində çalışır.

School of Design

Müəllim

Chingiz Abassov Chingiz Abassov is an Azerbaijani painter and art educator whose professional career spans the United States, Finland, and other European countries. He received his academic training in monumental art, a background that has significantly influenced his understanding of composition, scale, and the relationship between art and architectural space. He began his professional artistic career in the United States, collaborating with galleries and participating in exhibitions that established his presence within the contemporary art field. For more than three decades, he has been primarily based in Finland, where he has continued active cooperation with galleries and taken part in numerous private and group exhibitions internationally. He has also participated in major international art events, including Art Expo New York and the Florence Biennale. Abassov’s artistic practice, primarily in oil painting, addresses themes of cultural identity, historical memory, and architectural structure. His works are represented in private, corporate, and governmental collections in the United States, Finland, Azerbaijan, and other countries. In addition to his studio practice, Abassov has been engaged in art education through private instruction and mentorship, focusing on drawing and painting. At Western Caspian University, he teaches art courses and delivers lectures on Introduction to Architectural History.