The “TələbəPlus”

The “TələbəPlus” project is implemented through the joint initiative of the Education Development Fund, Kapital Bank, and Visa, the international payment technologies company. The project aims to ensure that students of all higher education institutions across the country can benefit from the same discounts and privileges, while also supporting their social life.

The TələbəPlus card performs several functions simultaneously: in addition to serving as a university access pass, a scholarship card, and a debit bank card, it also offers students discounts and cashback opportunities. Around 300 local and international partners have joined the project. Cardholders are offered various benefits at educational institutions, restaurants, cafés, clothing stores, bookshops, stationery stores, medical facilities, entertainment venues, and more. Under an agreement reached with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, special discounts are also available for students at museums, galleries, and exhibition halls. Additionally, Memoranda of Understanding have been signed within the project framework with the Azerbaijan Food and Beverage Manufacturers Association and the Azerbaijan Publishers Association.

In 2024, 170,000 students enrolled in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs at 21 universities with which cooperation agreements were signed are being provided with TələbəPlus cards.

Book Donation to Schools

The “Book Donation to Schools” project is being implemented within the framework of cooperation between the Education Development Fund and “Inci Group of Companies.”

As part of the project, which aims to donate books on classic world and Azerbaijani literature to regional schools, a total of 4,800 books were donated in 2023 to schools under the Abşeron–Khizi, Central Aran, Mountainous Shirvan, Ganja–Dashkasan, Lankaran–Astara, and Quba–Khachmaz regional education departments.

In 2024, an additional 5,000 books were donated to schools under the Gazakh–Tovuz, Karabakh, Eastern Zangezur, Shirvan–Salyan, and Shaki–Zagatala regional education departments.

Sustainable Development Centers

To date, Sustainable Development Centers have been established and are operating at three higher education institutions—Azerbaijan Technical University, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, and Sumgayit State University—and at one secondary specialized education institution—the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical College under the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University.

Among the main priorities of these centers are fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors, implementing innovative approaches in line with modern educational requirements, and expanding cooperation opportunities in emerging fields. Various trainings and seminars on different topics are organized for students by private companies at these centers.

4IR Academy

Within the framework of the “4IR Academy” project, organized by the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution under the Ministry and the U.S.-based company Coursera, 10,000 people benefited free of charge over the course of one year from nearly 800 courses on the Coursera online learning platform. These courses covered 4IR technologies, artificial intelligence, data analytics, blockchain and cloud technologies, programming languages, leadership, and communication skills.

Participants engaged in more than 32,000 hours of video lectures, and those who successfully completed the training programs collectively earned 4,300 international certificates.

In September 2024, 4IR Academy was selected among 180 projects submitted by 42 countries in a competition held by Coursera and was awarded the “Outstanding Achievement Award” in the “Artificial Intelligence” category.

Red Hearts Education Scholarship

In November 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Education Development Fund and the Red Hearts Foundation. The purpose of the memorandum is to establish cooperation on programs and projects aimed at the development of the education system, as well as to create and implement a long-term scholarship program for students.

Within the framework of this memorandum, the “Red Hearts Education Scholarship” program was established. The program is intended for male and female students from low-income families who scored over 600 points in entrance exams and are enrolled in the first year of undergraduate studies at higher education institutions across the country.

As part of the program, 23 students who successfully passed all stages of the selection process have been awarded a monthly scholarship of 200 AZN throughout their education, starting from 2025.

In total, 306 applications were received for the scholarship program, of which 69 candidates who met all eligibility criteria qualified for the interview stage.

The main goal of the “Red Hearts Education Scholarship” program is to support the development of educated and talented youth and to foster the upbringing of responsible citizens who will contribute positively to society in the future.

“Maarifchi” Student-Alumni Internship Program

The “Maarifchi” Student-Alumni Internship Program is implemented as a joint initiative of the Ministry of Science and Education and the Education Development Fund. Within the framework of this three-month program, the “Maarifçi” participants undergo internships at various structural divisions of the Ministry of Science and Education and its subordinate institutions, as well as at the Ministry of Education of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

In 2024, two admission cycles were carried out. For the first “Maarifçi” Student-Alumni Internship Program, 1,958 applications were submitted, of which 27 candidates were selected to participate. For the second program, 2,741 applications were received, and 37 participants earned the right to join.

The aim of the program is to contribute to the development of human resources in the fields of science and education, enhance the sectoral knowledge and practical skills of students and alumni, provide them with modern approaches in education, and support the implementation of educational reforms.

“Maya Hajiyeva ICT Skills” Scholarship Program

The main objective of the scholarship program is to support women in enhancing their knowledge and skills in information and high technologies, thereby enabling them to take on their respective roles in society. The project was implemented by the Education Development Fund in cooperation with the Azerbaijan representation of the international organization “Women in Tech.”

A total of 482 Azerbaijani women aged between 15 and 40 applied for the program, of whom 30 were awarded the scholarship. During the project, participants took part in training courses on UI/UX Design, BI Development, Cybersecurity, QA Testing, Mobile App Development, and Digital Marketing, and received certificates upon completion.

“Graceful Engineers” Scholarship Program

The “Graceful Engineers” Scholarship Program is jointly implemented by the Education Development Fund and STP Group of Companies. The purpose of the project is to support the education of female students from low-income families with high academic performance who are studying in various technical specialties, and to foster their development as professional engineers.

A total of 573 applications were submitted for the project. After review by the organizing committee, 105 candidates qualified for the interview stage. Of these, 50 successfully completed the process and became winners of the “Graceful Engineers” Scholarship Program, gaining not only financial support but also access to internship and training opportunities.

In 2024, the participants of the scholarship program joined the “Future Engineers” program jointly carried out by the STP Group of Companies and Sumgayit State University, where they learned from professionals and acquired new theoretical and practical knowledge. They also visited GemZA Holding. In addition, the female students took part in training sessions on topics such as “Climate Change and Azerbaijan”, and participated in internship programs within the enterprises of the STP Group of Companies.

“Parla” Scholarship and Development Program

The “Parla” Scholarship and Development Program for female students is implemented by the Education Development Fund in cooperation with NEQSOL Holding. Under the cooperation agreement between the two parties, the program provides annual support to 50 female students across Azerbaijan.

In 2023, out of 674 applications, 50 winners were selected. Starting from September 2024, each of these 50 students received a monthly scholarship of 200 AZN for a period of 12 months. Among the winners, 5 are spouses of martyrs.

In September 2024, the first graduation ceremony of the “Parla” Scholarship and Development Program was held, where 14 students completed the program. Of these graduates, 3 were employed at NEQSOL Holding and its companies, while 36 students continue to benefit from the scholarship.

Beyond financial support, the program provides participants with opportunities for internships, mentorship, training, and access to programs of leading universities worldwide through NEQSOL Academy and LinkedIn Learning. Additionally, participants are enrolled in English language and IELTS preparation courses and are given the opportunity to take the IELTS exam free of charge.

Throughout 2024, various activities were organized to enhance participants’ personal and professional development, including communication skills and career development trainings, an information session on studying abroad, and a field trip to the production plant of Norm OJSC.

On September 17, 2024, a new admission cycle was launched for the program. A total of 791 applications were received, and 128 candidates who met all eligibility criteria advanced to the interview stage. Out of 120 interviewed candidates, 50 successfully passed all stages and became winners of the “Parla” Scholarship and Development Program. As a result, the total number of active participants in the program reached 86.

“Hanifa Melikova–Zardabi Girls’ Education Support” Scholarship Program

The program is implemented through the collaboration of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Education, and the Education Development Foundation. Within the framework of the scholarship program, female students from low-income families and vulnerable groups who achieve high scores in university entrance exams are provided with a monthly scholarship of 200 AZN throughout their studies. During the 2022–2023 academic year, 25 girls received the scholarship, and in 2024, this number increased to 135.