Education Minister Misir Mardanov noted that the 20th January has entered into our history as a day of the fight for freedom and independence of our homeland and as the annals of national heroism. Works of pupils of secondary schools and out-of school education institutions devoted to that horrible night were demonstrated at the exhibition jointly organized by the Ministry of Education and Baku city Education Department. The opening ceremony of exhibition was attended by Education Minister Misir Mardanov. Speaking at the event, the Minister noted that the 20th January has entered our history as a day of the fight for freedom and independence of our homeland and as the annals of national heroism. According to him, these bloody events has received their political and legal assessment and the true essence of the tragedy has been brought to the international community after the national leader Heydar Aliyev returned to the power on insisting demand of people. Next, event attendees have become acquainted with the works of pupils. It should be noted that over 180 works of young artists devoted to the 20th January tragedy will be demonstrated at the exhibition, which will run during the week.

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Education Minister Misir Mardanov expressed his pleasure at seeing guests in Azerbaijan and talked about important challenges faced by two countries to expand cooperation in the education field. The Minister has noted the great importance attached by the architect of our independent state, national leader Heydar Aliyev to the development of educational and scientific ties between Azerbaijan and Turkey stressing this policy has successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev. Noting the importance of expanding educational ties between two countries in terms of our national interests Mr. Mardanov gave detailed information on the activity of education institutions of “Cag” Ogretim Isletmeleri Company operated in the country, including Qafqaz University. He expressed his belief that the Caucasus Association of Universities will promote the cooperation between our universities to the new level, and thanked to everyone who contributed to the establishment of this Association. Rector of Ardahan University and Head of the Caucasus Association of Universities Ramazan Korkmaz has talked about the path of development traversed by the Association, which was founded in 2009 and represents 24 universities, within a short period of time. According to him, the goal of the Association is to expand the cooperation between universities of different countries, determine the future prospects, develop works for the establishment of links with leading universities, as well as render support to teacher and student exchanges. Rector of Kafkas University Sami Ozcan underlined that the development way of both countries makes necessary to deepen relations in all fields. He stressed the development of inter-university relations and, from this viewpoint, underscored the need to promote cooperation within Caucasus Association of Universities as well. Minister Mardanov emphasized the importance of joint scientific researches conducted within the friendly, brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as underlined the importance to convey our history to future generation. Noting, from this point of view, important tasks laid upon universities that are members of Caucasus Association of Universities, the Minister underlined the importance of conducting joint conferences and symposiums. He also expressed his belief that the Association will strengthen the cooperation between universities noting any support needed for the activity of Association will be provided. At the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

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Speaking at the opening of the event, Education Minister Misir Mardanov informed event attendees on the meeting agenda. He noted that the main discussion topic of the meeting will be the orders and decrees on the organization of electronic services, their execution and forthcoming duties. The Minister talked on issues provided by the Presidential Decree of 23 May 2011 “On some measures to provide government agencies with electronic services” and stressed the importance of this document in terms of using ICT to implement state management based on the modern principles and fulfilling appropriate tasks. Minister Mardanov noted the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan has issued an order ‘On approving ‘Rules for delivery of e-services by the central executive bodies to specific areas’ and ‘List of the types of e-services’ to implement the first section of the Decree. He noted that the types of e-services to be provided by the Ministry of Education are determined at the ‘List of the types of e-services’ that was approved by the mentioned order. According to him, there were made proposals on some additions to this list as well. Moreover, Minister Mardanov stressed the importance of continuous updating and improving information given in the ‘List of the types of e-services.’ The Minister hailed the implementation of electronic document circulation and electronic signatures as the major issues in e-services and underlined the need to undertake relevant works in this direction. He talked about challenges ahead and instructed heads of the relevant departments to address the mentioned problems in the near future, take necessary measures and transition of Hotline Service telephones to the three-digit numbering system. Next, Head of Department for Digitalization of the Education system of the Ministry of Education Samir Mammadov gave information on practice existing in the field of e-service delivery. He talked about important successes achieved in the creation of national education database. Moreover, S. Mammadov put forward his proposals for issues and amendments indicated in the ‘List of the types of e-services.’ President of Ultra Company Tahir Mirkishili has talked about the role of ICT in the human life and underlined the importance of projects implemented by the Ministry of Education in this field. As an example, he listed the works such as the provision of schools with ICT equipments, creation of Data Centre, conduction of training for teachers, establishment of the e-mechanism for admission of teachers to work, etc. T.Mirkishili has also expressed his views on the implementation of electronic document circulation within the Ministry of Education and use of electronic signature. At the meeting, Education Minister Misir Mardanov gave his advice and instructions to the heads of relevant structure units on ongoing issues.

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Having welcomed the guests, Education Minister noted the existing cooperation in the fields of education and science between Azerbaijan, and Germany had developed over the last years. He underlined the great importance of works done by the German Academic Exchange Service to establish fruitful links in the education field. Head of DAAD Office in Russia Gregor Berghorn expressed his satisfaction with the successful development of educational ties between Azerbaijan and Germany. He also expressed his belief that DAAD will make a worthy contribution to the further development of bilateral relations in this field. Noting this year eight places are allocated to Azerbaijan within the scholarship programme of DAAD, the guest underlined a total of 150 applicants took part in the selection round. According to G. Berghorn, there are a small number of young researchers among applicants, who are interested in one-year research degree. Moreover, he touched on an issue of establishing a programme for the development of science between Azerbaijan and Germany. The guest has also talked about the issue concerning the work of German specialists at universities of Azerbaijan and stressed the importance of this work in terms of study of language by students wishing to study in Germany. Minister Mardanov stressed the importance of holding meetings by representatives of DAAD at universities of Azerbaijan, and giving detailed information on scholarships offered to students and young researchers. According to him, Azerbaijan is interested in the training of specialists in the fields of medicine, maths, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer technologies, ecology and tourism within the DAAD scholarship programmes, as well as in increasing the number of allocated seats. Noting the importance of establishing direct links between universities of both countries, the Minister stressed the possibility to organise the joint working group to prepare a relevant programme on the development of education. At the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on other issues of common interest.

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Event attendees became acquainted with materials, photographs and exhibits showing various periods of life and statehood activity of the national leader. Next, there was demonstrated a film devoted to the reforms implemented in the education field of the country. Rector of the Institute Asef Zamanov gave detailed information to event attendees on the development path of this education institution and its international relations. Noting a number of prestigious international scientific conferences were held at the Institute over the last 4 years, the Rector underlined the main goal is to make a worthy contribution to the educational reforms implemented in the country. Next, the Memorandum of understanding was signed between British Council and Baku Skill improvement and Retraining Institute of Pedagogical Cadres. Speaking at the ceremony Education Minister Misir Mardanov underlined the works implemented to turn Baku Skill improvement and Retraining Institute of Pedagogical Cadres into the high-quality scientific and education centre will be continued. He noted textbooks, learning materials and science articles prepared in the Institute indicate the staff potential of this education establishment. Noting the British Council has established a close link with the Ministry of Education, Mr. Mardanov expressed his gratitude to the management of the Council for jointly implemented projects. He stressed the Memorandum of understanding signed between British Council and Baku Skill improvement and Retraining Institute of Pedagogical Cadres is very important in terms of provision the learning of English language and development of Institute. Bakhtiyar Aliyev, member of Milli Majlis, Paul Clementson country director of British Council to Azerbaijan and others have talked about the role of Baku Skill improvement and Retraining Institute of Pedagogical Cadres in training specialists for different education institutions, particularly in preparing English language personnel. At the end, the event attendees have become acquainted with scientific papers, monographs, textbooks, methodical aids and scientific articles of the institute personnel.

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Speaking at the opening of the event, Education Minister Misir Mardanov sincerely welcomed event attendees. Minister noted that a series of events has been conducted in the country in accordance with the Presidential Order on conduction the 100th anniversary of famous writer and dramatist Mirza Ibrahimov. Talking about the great contributions made by famous writer to Azeri people, the Minister underlined M. Ibrahimov, writer with a powerful pen, was also a prominent public figure, a great citizen and intellectual. He also spoke about the glorious path of his life, novels that will remain forever in the history of literature, as well as about his activities. The Minister brought to the attention of attendees the contributions of Mirza Ibrahimov to give Azeri language official status and called the determination and courage shown by the writer for our mother tongue an instructive example for today's younger generation. Noting the Ministry of Education approved plan of measures based on the Relevant Order of the President, Minister Mardanov emphasized the essay competition was held within this plan. Noting thousands of pupils took part in the competition the Minister stressed that 115 essays were selected from works submitted to the Ministry from all districts and cities of the country. The essays were checked by the relevant commission and winners were determined. According to him, seven pupils have won the first, 14-II and 16- III places. He congratulated all winners and wished them to achieve even more success. Education Minister has thanked everyone who contributed to the conduction and organization of the competition. Next, the winners were awarded diplomas and a book devoted to the famous writer. At the end, the daughter of M. Ibrahimov, people’s artist Sevda Ibrahimova noted the importance of the order signed by the President and expressed her deep appreciations for the organization of this even.

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The seminar conducted by the Ministry of Education, Baku State University and European Union will end on 3 February. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education, Higher Attestation Commission, National Academy of Sciences, universities and European Union (EU) experts. Speaking at the opening of the event, Education Minister Misir Mardanov noted that the goal of the seminar is to monitor and evaluate normative and legal documents to bring the higher-education system of Azerbaijan in line with the Bologna system standards. According to him, EU experts will conduct comparative analysis of current situation of relevant directions in Azerbaijan based on the advanced experience of European countries. He also expressed his belief that the seminar will make important contributions to the development of the higher-education system of Azerbaijan. Noting the EU experts are well acquainted with the education legislation of Azerbaijan, the Minister reminded that Azerbaijan has acceded to the European education area – Bologna process. He noted members of EU - expert delegation, who has participated in the event, are highly qualified specialists and stressed the importance of proposals that they will put forward, discussion that will be held during the seminar to improve the effectiveness of reforms implemented in the higher-education system. Next, EU experts, including Jan De Groof, President of the European Association for Education Law and Policy, Lennart Stahle representative of Swedish National Agency for Higher Education. Karl Holm, Chief Officer at Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council, Gulu Novruzov Deputy Education Minister, and Hamlet Isakhanli, founder of Khazar University made a speech noting the importance of basic principles for integration to the international and European education system, rules for accreditation of education institutions, the importance of strengthening the exchange of experience in the higher-education field, creation of the rankings system for universities, assessment of student's knowledge, etc.

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In accordance with the respective order of the Minister of Education Misir Madranov the study at all secondary education institutions of the country will be temporarily stopped from 2-5 February due to weather conditions. Moreover, according to the order, the centrally conducted test exams on XI and IX classes to be held in Shirvan city, Hajigabul, Agcabedi, Beylegan, Imishli, Kurdemir and Khocavend districts on 4-5 February are also postponed. The public will be additionally informed on the date of central test exams in the above-noted city and districts.

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Misir Mardanov has welcomed the guest and talked about important steps taken to promote educational ties between two countries over the last years. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to Azerbaijan Nikolay Paskevich gave detailed information on the education system of Belarus and reforms implemented at its universities. He also talked about the development of different sides of relations in the education field and achievements of scientific and educational establishments of Belarus. Touching upon the forthcoming works within joint project carried out in the field of initial vocational education, the guest noted the universities of Belarus have great educational opportunities on many priority specialties.  Education Minister Misir Mardanov talked about the development of current educational cooperation existing between Azerbaijan and Belarus and underlined the possibility for young Azerbaijanis to study at universities of Belarus on some priority specialties. He also noted the works done to establish cooperation with universities of Belarus within ‘State Programme on the study of young Azerbaijanis abroad for the years of 2007-2015.’ Moreover, the Minister underlined the importance of expanding cooperation in the field of initial vocational education, and expressed his belief in further strengthening of educational ties between two countries. During the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on some issues of mutual interest.

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Education Minister and Chairman of Organizing Committee of the ‘Best Comprehensive Secondary School’ and ‘Best Teacher’ contests Misir Mardanov has welcomed the meeting attendees and highlighted the importance of contests in terms of opening the way to have healthy competition between educators and improve creative initiatives. He also wished the committee every success in its work. According to the Minister, the relevant contests have been held in the country for 5 years within the Executive Order of President Ilham Aliyev on ‘Establishing the ‘Best Comprehensive Secondary School’ and ‘Best Teacher’ awards’ of 4 September 2007. Moreover, he underlined some changes were made in the composition of the Organizing Committee.   According to the Minister, 145 schools in 2011 and 151 schools in 2012 submitted a document to the contest of ‘Best Comprehensive Secondary School.’ Noting 111 schools wishing to participate in the contest have gathered appropriate score and admitted to the second stage of the contest, Mr. Mardanov touched upon their division on different districts and cities.  Moreover, according to him, 425 teachers in 2011 and 464 teachers in 2012 submitted a document to the ‘Best Teacher’ contest, and documents of 456 teachers were examined. The Minister noted that a majority of participants are primary school teachers (67 people) and Azeri language teachers (35 people). According to the results of examination, 229 out of 456 teachers were admitted to the second stage of the contest. The Minister also brought to the attention their division on districts and cities, as well as on subjects. Moreover, he listed the name of schools, where the exemplary lessons will be organized, and said that the second stage will start on 20th February. During the meeting, there were exchanged views on other issues concerned with the conduction of ‘Best Comprehensive Secondary School’ and Best Teacher’ contests.

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