The Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts (ASUCA) - the nation’s oldest university and training ground for generations of talented musicians, actors, directors, artists, choreographers, researchers into the arts and culture, and teachers. The university prepares professionals in many of the arts, as well as highly qualified specialists in the humanities, management and public relations for institutions of art and culture. The combination of classical teaching with the latest innovative approaches has contributed to the development of an effective system for mastering the theoretical and practical skills necessary for professionals. A broad range of the modern, popular, educational programmes demanded by contemporary life is offered here. Prominent public figures and well-known doyens of art and culture were in at the origins of ASUCA: the names of outstanding playwrights like Abdurrahman bey Hagverdiyev, Jafar Jabbarly and Huseyn Javid are held in the highest esteem in the hearts of many. The university is rightly proud of its graduates who do so much for our native culture in all parts of Azerbaijan and internationally. These alumni have preserved and extended that culture and continue to do so, working for the development of human culture and values, the best traditions of cultural and art work and the creation of a social intellectual elite. The conductor Niyazi, artists Tahir Salahov, Mikayil Abdullayev Toghrul Narimanbeyov, composers Shafiga Akhundova, Haji Khanmammadov, opera singer Lutfiyar Imanov, actors Abbas Mirza Sharifzade, Ulvi Rajab, Qasim Ziya and directors Adil Iskenderov, Mehdi Mammadov, Maharram Hashimov all made invaluable contributions to the establishment and development of the university.