The Deputy Minister of Education, Acting Rector of Baku State University (BSU) Firudin Gurbanov met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan Milan Ekert. Firudin Gurbanov marked the great achievements in bilateral relations over the period of establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic. Noting that the Ministry of Education closely cooperates with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic, Firudin Gurbanov underlined that the relations between Baku State University and the Czech universities are expanding. Firudin Gurbanov mentioned that BSU cooperates with Masaryk University of Czech Republic, Higher School of Chemical Technology, Palaski University and Karlov University in the field of exchanging students and teachers. He also noted that the tradition of summer schools organized since the 60s of the last century between universities of the two countries is also successfully continued. The Deputy Minister highlighted the importance of cooperation between BSU and the Czech universities on dual certificates and academic exchanges. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan M. Ekert also praised the relations between the two countries in the field of education. The ambassador shared his views on issues such as dual certification, simplifying visa procedures for students wishing to study and making research in the Czech Republic, cooperation with the International Visegrad Fund that supports projects in the field of culture, science and research, and marked the interest in enhancing joint activities in this direction.

12/02/2019 11:12

On February 11, the Minister of Education Jeyhun Bayramov met with newly appointed Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to Azerbaijan Manuel Adalberto Carlos Montenegro Lopez de Kruz. The sides discussed the current relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Federal Republic of Brazil in the field of education and further prospects for development.

12/02/2019 11:11

The strategic goals, targets and directions of activities of the transformation of the Azerbaijan State Economics University (UNEC) to the research university were defined in the “UNEC-100” Development Strategy. According to the strategy, in order to become the research university, the UNEC has focused on bringing the master’s degree level and doctorate level of education in line with the progressive world-class experience, creating the “brain center” with the high rating at national and international levels, annually increasing the number of research projects carried out on the basis of orders and grants, reaching the budget of the university to 20%. In addition to this, increasing the number of articles published in the most authoritative editions included in the scientific platforms of the “Web of Science” and “Scopus” year by year, possessing the 3 scientific magazines included in these databases, establishing and organizing the international scientific events included in the authoritative databases of scientific reports by year 2030 has been identified as the main targets of the Development Strategy of UNEC. At present, 17 research and development centers on particular and specific research directions, Economical Clinics, Insurance School and the Laboratory for Development Economy are functioning at UNEC. And with purpose of stimulating the scientific researches the UNEC Research Fund, the Differential Wages System, and granting the awards mechanisms for publications of the articles in the authoritative magazines are available. At the UNEC is functioning the International Center for Master’s and Doctorate Studies, which trains in 4 languages in 11 specialities and 39 specializations which are included in “Economics and Management” specialty group, where the modern teaching and learning methods that meet the international standards for master’s and doctorate level of studies in higher education is applied.   AZERTAC

11/02/2019 11:42

The Ministry of Education and International educational company Algoritmika presented Digital Skills project with a separate stand at Bett Show education technology exhibition, which kicked off in London on January 23.    Minister of Education Jeyhun Bayramov viewed the stand. Representatives of educational institutions of several countries, including the UAE, Pakistan and India, showed interest in the stand as they wanted to familiarize themselves with Azerbaijan`s track record in this area. Digital Skills project manager Fakhri Gurbanov and founder and Chief Executive Officer of International educational company Algoritmika made a joint presentation on “Digital skills: transformation of education process in Azerbaijan” for a 50-man audience. Held as part of the Education World Forum, Bett Show is the world`s largest education technology exhibition. Bett Show brings together 850 leading companies, 103 exciting new edtech start ups and over 34,700 attendees (131 countries represented) from the global education community, that come together to celebrate, find inspiration and discuss the future of education, as well as the role technology and innovation plays in enabling all educators and learners to thrive. Launched in 2017, Digital Skills pilot project involves a total of 26,000 students in 65 schools in Baku and 6 schools in the city of Ganja.  One of the main themes of Bett Show 2019 exhibition is the 21st Century Skills and Knowledge. Main partners of the exhibition include Microsoft, Google, Lenovo, Adobe and several other high tech industry giants.

28/01/2019 10:14

A delegation led by Minister of Education Jeyhun Bayramov is attending the Education World Forum in London, which is being held from January 20-23. On the second day of the forum Minister of Education Jeyhun Bayramov addressed “Opportunities for improving quality of training and education” session. The minister highlighted reforms carried out in the country under the “State Strategy for the development of education in the Republic of Azerbaijan”, which was approved by a Presidential order. Jeyhun Bayramov said that increasing prestige of the teaching profession is one of the key priorities of the Strategy. The minister said a qualitatively new level was reached in this field, highlighting scholarship programs encouraging applicants who scored best results in university entrance exams to choose teaching profession, the organization of module specialization, as well as the assessment of teachers` knowledge and skills. Jeyhun Bayramov drew the audience`s attention to what the Ministry of Education is doing to increase quality of education, including pilot projects. The minister then responded to questions from the forum participants.

25/01/2019 13:56

A delegation led by Minister of Education Jeyhun Bayramov is attending the Education World Forum in London, which is being held from January 20-23. The forum is attended by ministers and deputy ministers of education and heads of leading higher education institutions from 80 countries, and representatives of international organizations and private companies from a variety of fields. The Education World Forum is supported by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for Education, the Department for International Trade, the Department for International Development, the British Council and industry partners. During the visit Jeyhun Bayramov will meet with the UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan Baroness Emma Nicholson, Chairman of the British Council Christopher Rodrigues and other officials.

24/01/2019 09:18

The 15th Annual International Zhautykov Olympiad will kick off in the Kazakh city of Almaty on January 9. A total of 16 Azerbaijani schoolchildren will compete in the Olympiad, including 4 in informatics, 6 in mathematics, and 4 in physics subjects. The delegation will also include two supervisors.  The 15th Annual International Zhautykov Olympiad will wrap up on January 15.

15/01/2019 09:00

Minister of Education Jeyhun Bayramov attended the first high-level annual Eastern Partnership conference around the subject of “A stronger economy for stronger societies - Investing in people for sustainable growth” in the Austrian capital of Vienna. Prior to the conference the minister of education met with European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn and Austrian Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs Karin Kneissl. They discussed opportunities for using the instruments existing under the Eastern Partnership initiative for developing education in Eastern Partnership countries. Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted the projects implemented in Azerbaijan`s education system with support of the European Union. The minister drew the audience`s attention to the “State Program for increasing international competitiveness of the higher education system of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2019-2023”. Jeyhun Bayramov then met with the European Commission`s Deputy Director-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture Viviane Hoffmann. They discussed the current state and prospects of Azerbaijan-European Union cooperation in the field of education. Following the meetings, the minister of education attended the high-level annual Eastern Partnership conference. Addressing a panel discussion, Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted Azerbaijan`s achievements in the field of education. The minister noted the importance of matching knowledge and skills and labor market needs. He said that rapid development of information technologies nowadays demands mastering appropriate knowledge and skills. “To achieve this, all the interested parties should maintain mutual cooperation,” the minister added.

11/12/2018 09:14

Deputy Minister of Education Firudin Gurbanov visited Brussels to attend the Global Education Meeting (GEM 2018), co-organized by UNESCO and the government of Belgium. Held on December 3-5, GEM 2018 gathered more than 300 participants, including UN, UNESCO and EU officials, ministers and deputy ministers of education of UNESCO member states, representatives of UN agencies, international and regional organizations, and the private sector. Speakers at the Ministerial Opening Session included Queen Mathilde of Belgium, UN Special Advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals, Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Inga Rhonda King, President of UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sports. Deputy Minister of Education Firudin Gurbanov addressed the Ministerial Roundtable 2 to highlight Azerbaijan`s experience in meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 – education). Firudin Gurbanov said that “Achieving inclusive and quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning” (SDG 4) matches with the “State Strategy for the Development of Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan”, which was approved by the October 24, 2013 Order of the Azerbaijani President, in many areas. He said that by implementing reforms featured in the Strategy, the country made great strides in a number of areas. Firudin Gurbanov drew the audience`s attention to what has been done in the country to prepare new general education standards, ensure gender equality in education and improve inclusive education. The deputy minister said the “State Program for the Development of Inclusive Education for the Disabled in the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2018-2024” was approved. Firudin Gurbanov said that despite difficulties caused by the Armenian armed forces` occupation of Azerbaijani lands, the country`s government is investing heavily in the education sector. He added that hundreds of schools have been built in recent years in order to ensure the right to education of children from IDP families. The deputy minister said more than 70 percent of schools in Azerbaijan have been reconstructed or repaired. The event ended with the adoption of the Outcome Statement on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4).

10/12/2018 18:10

On December 5, an event was held to mark a new stage of cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Clarivate Analytics. Participants in the event included Minister of Education Jeyhun Bayramov, Executive Director at Science Development Foundation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elchin Babayev, Head of Consortia Development at Clarivate Analytics Isabelle Reiss, Vice-President of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Dilgam Taghiyev, and rectors of higher education institutions. The event was co-organized by the Ministry of Education, Science Development Foundation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Clarivate Analytics. Addressing the event, Minister of Education Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted what has been done in recent years to ensure continuous development of higher education, facilitate universities` access to international scientific databases and encourage publication of Azerbaijani scientists` articles in leading international journals. The minister said that approved by President Ilham Aliyev, “State Program for increasing international competitiveness of the higher education system of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2019-2023” will boost the development of science and play an exceptional role in modernizing the activities of universities. Jeyhun Bayramov said that under an agreement on cooperation signed between the Ministry of Education and Clarivate Analytics (previously known as Thomson Reuters”) in 2015, 40 higher education institutions in Azerbaijan received access to Web of Science®, the most comprehensive and versatile research platform available. Saying cooperation with Clarivate Analytics is already yielding fruits, the minister noted that the number of Azerbaijani scientists` papers published in indexed journals has increased 74 percent in the past five years, while the indicator of higher education institutions has grown 88 percent. “A total of 1,160 research papers were registered with Web of Science® in 2017, a record number of Azerbaijani publications in the past 25 years. Higher education institutions account for 43 percent of these articles. Azerbaijan has ranked first in the South Caucasus for the paper number growth rate in Web of Science® in the past three years. If in 2015, only two Azerbaijani journals were indexed in Web of Science®, this figure reached 7 in 2017.” The minister said a decision was made to continue cooperation with Clarivate Analytics in the next three years. He proposed preparing a 2018-2021 plan of action between the Ministry of Education and Clarivate Analytics. Jeyhun Bayramov also proposed that the company should prepare a comprehensive report on Azerbaijan twice a year. Executive Director at Science Development Foundation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elchin Babayev highlighted favourable environment for the development of science and education in the country. He said cooperation with Clarivate Analytics will be beneficial. Elchin Babayev hailed the provision of research institutions with advanced technologies and also noted attention to specialist training, adding that this contributes to the improvement of scientific results on a yearly basis. Head of Consortia Development at Clarivate Analytics Isabelle Reiss said the agreement will contribute to the development of cooperation. She expressed confidence that Azerbaijani scientists will benefit from favorable environment created for them. Vice-President of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Dilgam Taghiyev drew the audience`s attention to what the Azerbaijani government is doing to develop science, and stressed the importance of ensuring recognition of Azerbaijan`s scientific achievements. The event then featured Clarivate Analytics` presentation called “Azerbaijan`s higher education institutions in Web of Science® in 2015-2018: results and prospects”. The Ministry of Education and Clarivate Analytics then signed a cooperation agreement for 2019-2021. The agreement provides for the expansion of the existing cooperation and gives Azerbaijan access to Web of Science®`s Russian science database and InCites platform, which uses the most thorough, accurate, and objective data available. The event then featured a ceremony to present “Web of Science Azerbaijan - 2018” awards.

07/12/2018 10:04