At the meeting, Education Minister Misir Mardanov stressed the importance of education field within the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and underlined the development of efficient cooperation with ISESCO. He also talked about his meetings with Secretary General of OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and highly praised exceptional role of OIC in further strengthening of relations between Islamic countries.   Noting the cooperation of Islamic countries remains below its real potential, the Minister underlined the possibility of organizing joint international conferences and symposiums. According to him, the scientific and technical development can be provided trough the expansion of cooperation between universities and scientists of member states. Noting world-class universities can only be established in a healthy competitive environment the Minister touched on the issue of preparing ranking of higher education institutions of member states. Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Abdul Moiz Bokhari thanked the Minister for the warm welcome and talked on educational and scientific cooperation existing between member states of OIC. The guest gave information on scope of activities and planned strategic programs and talked about figures for the amount of funds allocated to scientific and educational spheres in Islamic countries. Mr. Bokhari has also talked about steps taken to provide the study of students from least developed countries of OIC in more developed Islamic countries through scholarships and, from this viewpoint, expressed their interest in cooperation with Azerbaijan. The guest noted special role of Azerbaijan in the successful implementation of OIC projects and expressed confidence in further development of relations. Noting Azerbaijan has always taken an active part within the OIC cooperation, Mr. Mardanov expressed his confidence that promising projects will be positively received in Azerbaijan. According to him, Azerbaijan attaches great importance to developing relations in the fields of science and education, and is interested in a mutual exchange of experiences with other countries At the meeting, the sides have also exchanged views on other issues of common interest.

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Small family-style home for 10 girls permanently living in child institutions were built by the Ministry of Education within the Development of Foster Care Co-operative and Family Style Services Model Project in 2012. The assessment was carried out at state –owned child institutions and 50 children, who will be given to foster families, have been chosen.   Center for Family Training and Consultancy were built in Khazar district to provide training for potential foster parents. Moreover, the Family Training Program has been launched. Two special boarding schools for deaf children were merged within the order of the Cabinet of Ministries and according to the Actions Plan of State Programme and General Plan for transformation of state-owned child institutions. Moreover, Republican Special Boarding School #3 for disabled children was established on their basis. As a result, the number of state-owned child institutions subordinated to the Ministry of Education has been reduced to 38.      Since the beginning of the year, 48 children have been reunited with their biological families and 8 children adopted. Moreover, 10 documents were prepared to improve legal and regulatory framework concerning the adoption of children and submitted to the Cabinet of Ministries for confirmation. New generation textbooks, visual training aids and methodical manuals for teachers were prepared, published and delivered to institutions in order to provide children studying at boarding schools for deaf and dumb children with a quality education and ensure their right to education.  The first phase of an electronic control system between state-owned child institutions and Ministry of Education has been completed. A special software program was launched in this regard. At the second phase of electronic control system relevant data will be added to the program.

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The meeting was devoted to the creation of Technology Park at Qafqaz University with the support of Middle East Technical University.        Education Minister Misir Mardanov welcomed the guests at the Ministry and talked about the rapid development of existing relationship between Azerbaijan and Turkey, including in the field of education. He highly praised the idea of creation Technology Park at Qafqaz University and said this experience will be a new contribution to the development of higher education field of Azerbaijan.  Rector of Qafqaz University Ahmed Sanic noted that at first it is planning to use Technology Park of Sumgayit within the framework of cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Development of Azerbaijan. Moreover, some discussions were held to organize the activity of the relevant structure at Qafqaz University by benefiting from the experience of Middle East Technical University in creating Technology Park. Deputy Director of Technology Park of the Middle East Technical University Ufuk Bulut noted that as a result of industrialization of Turkey in the second half of the 20th century the activity of higher technical educational institutions were built in compliance with industry standards. Speaking about the importance of applying the results of scientific researches conducted at universities to the industrial sector, the guest stressed an important role of this experience in training professionals. Noting the initiative is new for Azerbaijan, the Minister expressed his belief that it will be successfully implemented. He also hoped that other universities of the country will also be able to use this experience in the future. The Minister highly praised the existence of Technology Park at universities in terms of additional funding provision, promotion and encouragement of scientific researches. 

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Education Minister talked about the prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and India for the development of science and education fields, as well as expansion of the ties. The Minister underlined the friendship traditions between the two countries and spoke about the potential for the development of bilateral relations in the science and education fields. Noting that Azeri people have had a great interest in India since the Soviet period, the Minister drew attention to the possibility of organizing joint scientific conferences and symposia. Ambassador Vinod Kumar thanked the Minister for the warm welcome and expressed his belief that the cooperation in the education and science fields between the two countries will further develop. He gave detailed information about universities and research institutions of India and expressed their readiness to support the proposal to organize joint scientific conferences and symposia. Noting the graduates of prestigious universities of India are currently working in well-known companies, the Ambassador said that they are interested in the development of student exchange program with Azerbaijan. Next, the sides exchanged views on other issues, including, further directions for the development of cooperation in the fields of science and education.

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Education Minister Misir Mardanov expressed his pleasure to welcome the guest at the Ministry of Education. He talked about the works done within the project for establishment of Vocational Training Centre at Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park (SCIP). According to him, relevant discussions were held with the Ministry of Economic Development to implement the project and prepared proposals were submitted to the Cabinet of Ministries. Noting it is planning to open the Vocational Training Centre at Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park in 2013, the Minister stressed the importance of precise determination of preparatory measures for the project and establishment of relevant working group.  Honorary Consul of Azerbaijan in Stuttgart Otto Hauser thanked the Minister for the warm welcome and noted importance of bilateral relations in the education field. Noting the role of vocational education in the socio-economic development, the guest underlined the importance of personnel training in the specialties that deeply needed in the vocational education field to improve cooperation between the two countries. He gave detailed information on the planned activities within the project for Vocational Training Centre and expressed confidence in the further acceleration of the process after the establishment of working group. Next, the sides exchanged views on other issues regarding the implementation of the project, put forward proposals for the preparation of textbooks and curricula in order to open Vocational Training Centre on time and attraction of teachers, who will work at the center, to retraining courses.

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The ceremony was opened by Education Minister Misir Mardanov. In his speech, he informed that Azerbaijan has joined to the Lisbon Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region by the initiative of national leader Heydar Aliyev on April 1997, and since 2000 the process execution has been assigned to the Ministry of Education. He talked about works done by the Ministry in this direction since 2004 and gave some statistical data for different years.  Noting 5637 applications out of 6982 submitted to the Ministry since 2004 regarding recognition and determination of equivalence of foreign diplomas were positively considered, the Minister touched upon the benefits of organization of nostrification process in accordance with the modern demands. He stressed that the system for recognition and determination of equivalence of foreign diplomas developed within the executive order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on “Some measures to organize the provision of e-services by state agencies” of 23 May 2011 will open a wide range of opportunities for citizens, provide transparency and elimination of subjective factors. Next, the system for recognition and determination of equivalence of foreign diplomas was presented and given detailed information on its capabilities. Moreover, there were made relevant suggestions on effective organization of the system and expressed belief that the e-service for consideration of applications will win public sympathy.

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Education Minister Misir Mardanov welcomed the guest at the Ministry and talked about relations in the education field between Azerbaijan and Korea that have been expanded over recent years. Noting the importance of cooperation in the different directions of education, the Minister underlined year-on year increase in the number of exchange students. According to him, there are more than 70 students from Azerbaijan currently studying at universities of Korea.   The Minister expressed his belief that the expansion of mutual exchanges with Korea that has progressive traditions in the education field will give effective results. He drew attention to the cooperation with Korea in a number of projects for the development of education field and stressed that Korean Studies is being taught at five universities of Azerbaijan. Choi Suk- Inn thanked the Minister for the warm welcome. Noting his country attaches a great importance to the establishment of close relationship with Azerbaijan in the education field, the Ambassador talked about the role of student exchange in the development of bilateral relations. He also spoke about the expansion of relations with universities of Azerbaijan, a number of jointly implemented projects and expressed his belief that bilateral relations will be further developed. At the meeting, the sides have also discussed the measures taken to develop the educational ties.

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The majority of them are queries regarding the beginning of new school year. They were mostly about general education, secondary special schools and universities, workload standards for teachers, provision of students with textbooks, school uniform, admission of children to schools, transition of students from one school to another, teachers' pay scales, holiday pay for them, and etc. Other queries were about transition of students from one university or secondary special schools to another, tuition fee, qualification for the bachelor and master levels and recognition of educational documents.  Analyze of 69 queries received last month indicated that the majority of them were about the general education establishments. Thus, 29 queries were received from Baku, 7 from other cities, including 3 from Sumgayit, 2 from Ganja, 1 from Mingachevir and Shirvan, 3 from Astara and Agstafa accordingly. Moreover, there were received 2 queries from each Gadabay, Sabirabad, Samukh, Gabala, and one from each Absheron, Lenkeran, Masalli, Sheki, Shamkir, Jalilabad, Bilasuvar, Hajigabul, Kurdamir, Balaken, Goranboy, Neftchala, Beylegan, Lachin and Oguz districts. The queries received from secondary schools were about shortcomings committed by school directors in the management, dissatisfaction with lessons distribution and illegal retention of teachers’ salaries. It should be noted that, majority of inquiries were anonymous and some facts have not found their confirmation. Last month, Hotline Service received 3 queries from state higher education institutions and 2 from private universities. The queries were mostly about the delay in stipend payment and issuing education documents for students studying at state and private universities, and violation of appeal rules regarding the exam results held in the summer term. All inquiries were registered, analyzed and responded by the staff of Hotline Service and relevant structural units of the Ministry.

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The event was opened by Education Minister Misir Mardanov. He welcomed the attendees and talked about the new subject curriculum implemented at secondary schools of Azerbaijan over 5 years stressing the progress made in this direction and future responsibilities. Moreover, he stressed an important role of intra-school assessment in applying new subject curriculum and the need for conducting necessary works in that regard. The Minister has also noted a need to organize this work at regions of the country at a high level and attract staff of relevant institutions to the organized events. Moreover, he underlined the conduction of intra-school assessment training courses for teachers, monitoring and other works. The Minister has also talked about the content of intra-school assessment. According to him, the successful implementation of curriculum reform has a close tie with conduction of assessment within the relevant rules. Noting the importance of such events the Minister stressed the need to establish a working group to held intra-school assessment. Mr. Mardanov stressed the importance of preparing relevant recommendations based on an international experience, works carried out in the country in this direction, and gave his instructions. Next, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the Ministry of Education Tarana Hajiyeva gave a presentation entitled “Intra-school assessment: problems and future responsibilities.” According to her, the Department developed a new theory and execution mechanisms for intra-school assessment in 2003 with the support and advice of international organizations, and a new assessment system has been implemented in the primary education level since 2008/2009 academic year. She added that “Assessment concept in the general education system of the Republic of Azerbaijan” was developed and approved by the order 9 of Cabinet of Ministers of 13 January 2009. Noting the concept includes principles, essential features and mechanism of intra-school assessment, the Head of Department gave detailed information on components of assessment (diagnostic, formative and summative assessments), features of traditional and new assessment, results of monitoring held in different academic years and etc. T. Hajiyeva also talked about steps taken to address existing problems in formative assessment, planned works and put forward relevant proposals. Speaking at the event Head of Department for General Education in Rural Areas Aydin Ahmadov and Head of Strategic Analysis, Planning and Personnel Management Farzali Gadirov noted the importance of the meeting regarding preparation of instructions for the new intra-school assessment system and emphasized responsibilities laid upon teachers in this regard. At the end of the meeting, there were heard opinions and suggestions regarding the discussed issue.

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Education Minister Misir Mardanov welcomed the event attendees. In his speech, he stressed that this year, as in previous years, a number of educators were awarded by the orders of President Ilham Aliyev “Taraggy” medal and “Emeritus Teacher” title on the eve of World Teachers Day. Noting great leader Heydar Aliyev has always praised highly the work of teachers and expressed his respect to educators, the Minister voiced quotes of Great Leader about teachers. Moreover, touching upon successes achieved in the education field the Minister talked about attention and care provided by President Ilham Aliyev for the development of education and science in Azerbaijan. He brought to the attention of participants statistical data for educators awarded medals and honorary titles over recent years, and thanked the President on behalf of educators.   According to him, 58 educators were awarded “Taraggy” medal and 65 “Emeritus Teacher” title by the relevant orders of the President on the eve of World Teachers Day for their contribution to the development of education. At the end of his speech, the Minister congratulated all educators and wished them every success in the future.  Chair of Azerbaijan Trade Union Confederation Sattar Mehbaliyev underlined a year-on-year increase in total public spending for the education field and talked about the care provided by the President for the development of education in Azerbaijan and for educators. Next, the awards were presented to educators and taken a picture for memory. Speaking at the event Akif Khaligov, director of school-lyceum No.6 of Lankaran, who has been awarded “Emeritus Teacher” title, thanked President Ilham Aliyev on behalf of all awarded educators for the appreciation of their work.

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