An official ceremony has been held in Kastoria, Greece, to launch a joint Master`s Program of the Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Western Macedonia, Greece, and Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC). The Memorandum on "Management and Transportation of Oil and Gas" master`s program defines priorities of future cooperation between the two institutions. In his remarks, Rector of TEI of Western Macedonia Asimopoulos Nikolaos noted that the implementation of the program was of pivotal importance not only in expanding academic and scientific cooperation between the two universities, but also in strengthening educational, scientific, cultural and social ties between the two countries. Greek Deputy Minister of Education Theodosis Pelegrinis hailed human resources potential in Azerbaijan, saying that the bilateral cooperation would benefit educational institutions in both countries. Head of Accreditation and Nostrification Department at Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Education Samir Valiyev highlighted educational reforms carried out in the country in recent years. “We managed to build a new educational environment through involving young professors and teachers who studied abroad.” UNEC Rector Adalat Muradov said that for the first time in Azerbaijan`s education system and history of UNEC the university`s academic staff was engaged in training foreign specialists under “Management and Transportation of Oil and Gas” master`s program in Greece. “For the first time Hellenic National Academic Recognition and Information Center of the Greek Ministry of Education granted UNEC a status equivalent to Greek higher education institutions. This means that UNEC graduates who work or study in Greece will have a status equal to that of alumni of Greek universities,” he added.

30/06/2016 15:48

More than 3,500 student volunteers representing 42 higher education institutionы and 28 colleges were involved in the organization of Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe in Baku. A total of 11,000 students were educated about Formula 1 during presentations held at higher education institutions as part of “Bir” Student-Volunteer Program of the Ministry of Education in February-March. The students who were selected as volunteers joined a team of international specialists, which provided them with an incredible experience. During the event volunteers were in close communication with tourists, foreign specialists, and informed them of Azerbaijan`s history, nature and must-see places, and its experience in hosting international events. They also had a great opportunity to make the acquaintance of famous F1 drivers. On March 7 Baku City Circuit and “Bir” Student-Volunteer Program of the Ministry of Education signed a Memorandum of Understanding on mutual collaboration in enhancing volunteer activities in the framework of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe. The memorandum was signed by Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov and Minister of Education Mikayil Jabbarov. The ministers highlighted the importance of volunteers’ involvement in major sporting events being held in the country. The Ministry of Education created all conditions to ensure student volunteers` involvement in F1. The date of exams at higher education institutions and colleges that coincided with F1 events were changed. A kart racing was organized in April-May in partnership with “Bir” Student-Volunteer Program with the aim of promoting F1 excitement among student volunteers and strengthening unity among them.

29/06/2016 17:39

Nurlana Aliyeva, who was appointed as rector of Baku Slavic University by the order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was introduced to staff of the higher education institution on June 23. Minister Mikayil Jabbarov read out the presidential order appointing Nurlana Aliyeva as rector of Baku Slavic University, and wished her success in her activity. Nurlana Aliyeva thanked the President of Azerbaijan for confidence put in her, and said she would do her utmost to excellently fulfill her duties. From 1990-2016, Nurlana Aliyeva worked as director of Azerbaijan State Pedagogic College. In April-June 2016, she was the adviser to the minister of education. A PhD in philology, professor and Merited Teacher of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Nurlana Aliyeva chairs Women`s Council of the New Azerbaijan Party.

28/06/2016 09:31

Jafar Jafarov, who was appointed rector of Azerbaijan State Pedagogic University (ASPU) by an order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was introduced to the university`s staff on June 23. Minister of Education Mikayil Jabbarov, teachers of the university participated in the event. Minister Mikayil Jabbarov read out the presidential order appointing Jafar Jafarov as ASPU rector, and wished him success in his activity. ASPU rector Jafar Jafarov thanked the President of Azerbaijan for putting confidence in him, adding that he would do his utmost to excellently fulfill his duties. Jafar Jafarov graduated from Moscow State University, Faculty of History, in 1983. From 1983-1987, he was a post-graduate student at Moscow State University. In 1987, he defended a PhD thesis, and obtained a ScD degree in 2010. He is a professor. From 1987-1994, Jafar Jafarov served as a senior laboratory assistant, teacher and associate professor at the Faculty of History, Azerbaijan State University. From 1990-1994, he worked as academic secretary of the ScD Award Council (history) at BSU, and scientific head of the student scientific society. From 1992-1994, Jafar Jafarov was deputy chair of the Faculty of History. From 1994-1998, he headed the Central Department for Work with Youth of the Ministry of Youth and Sport. From 1998-2003, he was the national coordinator of “Strengthening Civil Society in Azerbaijan” project of UNDP and the government of Azerbaijan. Jafar Jafarov worked as director of the International Press Center in 2003-2004. He was the national coordinator of “Supporting Development of Domestic Tourism” project of UNDP and the government of Azerbaijan from 2004-2006. From 2006-2016, Jafar Jafarov worked as rector of Azerbaijan Tourism Institute and Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University.

28/06/2016 09:30

A solemn ceremony was held at Gulustan Palace on June 23 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Azerbaijan Architecture and Construction University (AACU). Prior to the event management and staff of the university visited the Alley of Honors to put flowers at the grave of national leader Heydar Aliyev. Participants in the ceremony included state and government officials, parliamentarians, academicians, scientists from foreign countries, rectors of higher education institutions, and representatives of the diplomatic corps. The ceremony started with the playing of Azerbaijan`s state anthem. A film on the 40th anniversary of Azerbaijan Architecture and Construction University was then screened. Opening the ceremony, rector of AACU Gulchohra Mammadova thanked the President of Azerbaijan on behalf of the university staff for high state awards and titles. The rector said the history of higher education in architecture and construction in Azerbaijan spanned 95 years. She highlighted the university`s accomplishments throughout its history as well as its future plans. The rector hailed “an exceptional” role played by national leader Heydar Aliyev in founding and developing Azerbaijan Architecture and Construction University. “The national leader always paid great attention to the university. Founded on the initiative of Heydar Aliyev in 1975, the university has made great strides since its establishment.” “Our university has now entered its new stage of development. Thanks to President Ilham Aliyev`s attention state-of-the-art laboratories and centers have opened at the university in recent years,” said Gulchohra Mammadova. The rector drew the audience`s attention to AACU`s academic indicators, financial and technical capabilities and rich experience. “Our university has a total enrollment of around 7,000 students, who are served by nearly 550 professors, teachers and scientists. We have 700 foreign citizens representing 14 countries.” “SABAH groups, which were initiated by the Ministry of Education with the aim of training highly-skilled competitive specialists for local and international markets, are successfully operating at our university,” she added. Deputy Prime Minister Abid Sharifov congratulated professors and teachers of AACU on the jubilee. He wished the staff of the university success in their “responsible and fruitful work to prepare highly-skilled specialists in different areas of the country`s life”. Minister of Education Mikayil Jabbarov congratulated AACU`s staff on the 40th anniversary. He highlighted the university`s scientific and pedagogic activity, as well as the Azerbaijani government`s attention to the development of science and education in the country. The Minister pointed to priorities and goals of education reforms, saying “the accomplishments in this area are continuous”. “Globalizing higher education contributes to changing tools and cementing the ties between the education system and real economy. In today`s environment, apart from fulfilling teaching and scientific functions, higher education institutions play the role of a driver of economic growth,” he said. Mikayil Jabbarov congratulated AACU staff on the jubilee and said the head of state signed an order conferring honorary titles upon them. The minister handed the awards to the university employees. Parliamentarians, representatives of ministries and AACU`s partner state and private companies congratulated the university`s staff on the anniversary. Some state and private companies were awarded certificates of merit by AACU management for their attention to higher education in the field of architecture and construction. A number of media representatives were also awarded for fruitful cooperation. A letter of AACU management addressed to the President of Azerbaijan was read out. The event then featured performance of AACU student ensemble and dance troupe.

28/06/2016 09:28

The results of the exams that involved teachers employed on termless contracts in the country`s general education institutions and vocational schools, who want to be transferred from one district (city) to another, have been announced.   A total of 1621 candidates out of 2107 (79.93 per cent), who submitted online applications, sat the exams, with 345 qualifying for the interview stage. Teachers learned their results through personal accounts. The exams saw candidates answer 60 questions each, including 40 on subject programs of general education institutions, 10 on methodology and teaching strategy, and 10 on logic. According to results of the exams, top scorers included English language and geography teachers. The majority of those, who failed to achieve the pass mark, were technology, music and physical culture teachers.

28/06/2016 09:25

A ceremony was held at Baku Vocational Lyceum No. 5 on June 22 to award certificates to teachers and students who attended trainings sessions under “Access to Hospitality and Apprenticeship Scheme Project”. Participants in the ceremony included employees of the Ministry of Education, British Council Azerbaijan and tourism institutions. The Ministry of Education, British Council Azerbaijan in partnership with Hilton Hotel and Fairmont Hotel implemented this pilot project in hospitality area in the vocational education sector. In the pilot phase in May-June, the project involved 45 students and featured capacity building trainings on hospitality. The pilot project involved the development of a program in line with national occupational standards and qualifications in partnership with the industry; capacity building training for teachers and development of an apprenticeship type scheme for the selected students. Under the program, selected teachers underwent a series of capacity building training sessions that empowered them with knowledge and skills needed to deliver innovative curriculum in this field. Teacher training was conducted by the master trainer from People 1st, British workforce development organization for the hospitality, tourism, travel, passenger transport and retail industries. A specific program was developed for 12 teachers in line with local standards and professional qualifications. The study program lasted for eight weeks comprised of two week theoretical training at Baku vocational lyceum No. 5 and six week practical training at Hilton and Fairmont hotels. Students of vocational schools who attended training sessions on hospitality qualified to study culinary, tourism and customer service under a new curriculum. They will study in groups for a one-year term.   The participants of trainings were awarded certificates.

24/06/2016 15:23

A paper waste collection campaign was held among pupils and students of educational institutions in Sumgayit as part of “Let’s exchange paper for a leaf” project co-implemented by IDEA Public Union in partnership with the Ministry of Education and ASAN Volunteers organization. Titled “Every paper sheet counts”, the campaign was launched on June 1, involving 55 educational institutions in Sumgayit. Among most active participants, Sumgayit Specialized Natural Science Gymnasium collected 3,100kg of paper waste, secondary school No. 14 collected 2,400kg, Technical and Natural Science Lyceum gathered 2,200kg, secondary school No. 6 collected 2,024kg. A total of 39,170kg of paper waste was collected under the campaign. Each educational institution will receive different gifts and certificates based on the size of paper waste they collected. The final event under the campaign will take place on June 24. The campaign aims to increase environmental awareness, reduce paper wastage, save trees through encouraging recycling, ensure protection of nature and maintain ecological balance.

23/06/2016 14:32

The process of learning public opinion on drafts of improved editions of textbooks for first and fifth grades as well as drafts of new textbooks for 9th grade has ended. Launched in February 2016, the project saw draft textbooks uploaded on www.e-resurs.edu.az, where they were available for reviews and proposals. A total of 77 draft textbooks were uploaded on the website, which received 1544 reviews and proposals. 91 per cent of reviews were made on drafts of 9th grade textbooks, 6 per cent on drafts of 5th grade textbooks and 3 per cent on drafts of 1st grade textbooks. The draft of Azerbaijani language textbook obtained the highest number of reviews (13.3 per cent) among drafts of 9th grade textbooks. The draft of French language textbook got the lowest number (0.1 per cent) of reviews. The reviews and proposals featured approving and critical opinions. All reviews and proposals were brought to the notice of publishing and printing houses that made the draft textbooks. Based on these proposals, the publishing houses and authors made relevant corrections to draft textbooks. Some opinions were rejected by the publishing houses and authors. We thank everyone who contributed to the process of learning public opinion on draft textbooks.

23/06/2016 14:30

A meeting was held on June 20 to evaluate and increase the effectiveness of activities of creative extracurricular education institutions of the Ministry of Education. Participants in the events included Deputy Minister of Education Firudin Gurbanov, head of the Department for Organization of Extracurricular Activities Vasif Mammadov and heads of extracurricular education institutions. The meeting aimed to learn the current situation in extracurricular education, eliminate the barriers preventing the expansion of activities of extracurricular education institutions, and create conditions for engaging more schoolchildren and youth in extracurricular activities. In his speech, Firudin Gurbanov highlighted the tasks faced by extracurricular education institutions. “Attention to the young generation is not confined just to secondary education as greater importance is attached to creating exemplary conditions for extracurricular education institutions.” Head of the Division on Child and Youth Creativity at the Ministry of Education Ayla Hasanova highlighted what had been done in the first six months of the year as well as the activity of extracurricular education institutions. She said there were 206 creative extracurricular education institutions in the country. “They include 82 child creativity centers, 59 technical creativity centers, 48 centers of environmental education and training, 10 centers of young tourists and local lore, 4 extracurricular training centers, 3 aesthetic education centers.” “There are 35 creative extracurricular education institutions in Baku, of which 7 centers are directly subordinate to the Ministry of Education. 171 centers are subordinate to district education departments,” said Ayla Hasanova. Heads of extracurricular education institutions made proposals on the improvement of financial and technical capabilities, improvement of legal documents, development of staff potential and other issues. The meeting then featured discussions.

23/06/2016 11:52