Students come to Harvard Kennedy School from around the world. In fact, our current degree program students hail from 96 different countries and territories outside of the United States. For the first time, a student from Azerbaijan will graduate from the the Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) Program this year. Below, Nargiz Mammadova MPA/ID 2025’s reflects on her time at HKS.
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Why did you apply to HKS?
While working at the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), I frequently heard about Shamar Movsumov, a Harvard Kennedy School Master in Public Administration graduate who served as the Fund’s CEO and now holds the position of assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and head of the Department of Economic Issues and Innovative Development Policy in the presidential administration. I was deeply inspired by his contributions to both SOFAZ and the country’s broader economic development.
Learning about his path motivated me to apply to the MPA/ID Program—a program that I saw as the ideal platform to deepen my analytical skills, expand my global perspective, and prepare myself to contribute more meaningfully to evidence-based policy reform and sustainable development in Azerbaijan and beyond.
What were you involved in during your time at HKS?
In addition to completing the rigorous MPA/ID curriculum, I worked as a research assistant at the Harvard Growth Lab on a project focused on Azerbaijan, which aimed to support the Azerbaijani government in identifying strategies to diversify the economy from oil to non-oil sectors. I had the privilege of working under the guidance of the Director of the Growth Lab and the Rafik Hariri Professor of the Practice of International Political Economy Ricardo Hausmann, a globally renowned economist in development and complexity economics.
As part of the MPA/ID Program’s required summer internship, I worked at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London on the Capital and Financial Markets Development team. My responsibilities included updating the Financial Market Development Index and contributing to policy analysis in emerging markets.
What was your favorite part of HKS?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my HKS experience was engaging with a truly diverse and inspiring community. HKS brings together individuals from all walks of life—public servants, economists, entrepreneurs, and change-makers—each with a unique story, cultural background, and vision for the future. Being part of this environment allowed me to broaden my worldview and develop a deeper appreciation for global perspectives on leadership and policy-making.
Beyond the classroom, I cherished the cultural exchange that defined daily life at HKS. I had the chance to try Ukrainian pampushki, traditional Uzbek plov, and mooncake—foods I had never experienced before. I also celebrated Halloween and Thanksgiving for the first time in my life, which gave me a deeper understanding of American culture and helped foster a sense of belonging in a new environment. HKS didn’t just prepare me academically and professionally—it enriched me personally by creating a space where global diversity is not only respected but celebrated.
“HKS brings together individuals from all walks of life—public servants, economists, entrepreneurs, and change-makers—each with a unique story, cultural background, and vision for the future.”
What are your plans after graduation?
Following graduation, I plan to leverage my technical training and policy expertise to contribute to economic development and financial sector reform, with a particular focus on the macroeconomic diagnosis of commodity markets. My immediate goal is to work with economic advisory teams at investment banks and financial institutions where I can apply my skills in macroeconomic analysis, financial stability, and public policy design to help governments implement data-driven, impactful reforms.
Nargiz Mammadova MPA/ID 2025
Nargiz Mammadova MPA/ID 2025 holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from ADA University and a Master of Research in Economics from the National Research University Higher School of Economics. Before attending HKS, she worked for the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), Azerbaijan’s sovereign wealth fund, as an economist in the Budget Forecasting and Projects Department, applying economic theory to real-world policy questions.
