Author: redaktr

On September 30, 2022, a meeting dedicated to the discussion of “strategic directions of secondary education” was held by the Education Development Fund under the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The event was attended by Nijat Mammadli, Advisor to the Minister of Science and Education, Sabina Anvarli, an employee of the Department of Science, Higher and Secondary Education, and heads of 35 secondary education institutions.

Elnur Nasibov, Chairman of the Board of the Education Development Fund, welcomed the guests, brought the issues of the agenda to the attention of the participants, and declared the event open.

Nijat Mammadli, Advisor to the Minister of Science and Education thanked the Education Development Fund for organizing the meeting: “There is a serious need for discussions about the place of secondary education in the education system. Our goal is to determine in a short time whether the main direction of secondary education institutions is personnel training for the labor market or to ensure their transition to fundamental, higher education. The fact and the many issues we face show that sub-bachelor students who want to pursue a higher education face problems. These problems are because college graduates mostly enter the labor market as a next step, and then turn to distance education to obtain higher education. Another issue is the activities carried out in the direction of the operation of many secondary education institutions under the supervision of higher education institutions. Some secondary education institutions have been subordinated to universities. However, this subordination is relative, higher education institutions can rarely interfere with secondary education institutions. The main goal of transitioning secondary education institutions to higher education institutions is to facilitate the transition to university education. Unfortunately, many enrollees chose secondary education because they could not get enough points for higher education. We would certainly like enrollees to choose secondary education consciously, as they acquire any knowledge and skills for the labor market”.

Later, Elnur Nasibov, Chairman of the Board of the Education Development Fund presented a detailed presentation on the establishment, main purpose, and activities of the Fund: “The activities of the fund are the directions established in the charter: strengthening the integration of education and economy, implementation of public and socially important projects, adaptation of the material and technical base of educational institutions to modern requirements, and preparation of mechanisms that confirm the development of education”. Elnur Nasibov also stated that the Education Development Fund covers not only higher and secondary education but all levels of education except vocational education.

It was noted that as a result of discussions with the members of the advisory council of the Education Development Fund, 5 strategic directions of higher education were determined: implementation of academic mobility programs, institutional development of higher education institutions, support to universities in the preparation of scientific journals, publications and textbooks, participation in the development of the university-industry cooperation and support the development of students of higher education institutions. The participants were given detailed information and examples of all 5 strategic activities. “We have determined these strategic directions together with the heads of higher education institutions. After discussions with you, it will be clearer to us on which activities we can cooperate with secondary education institutions”, emphasized E. Nasibov. The event continued in an interactive form with questions, proposals, and discussions of the heads of secondary education institutions.

In the end, the Chairman invited the guests to the office of the Education Development Fund to continue the discussions and mentioned that he is always open to cooperation.

Sevinj Mammadova, Executive Director of Junior Achievement Azerbaijan (JAA) organization, was a guest of the Education Development Fund.

JAA has implemented various projects in the field of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness with the participation of thousands of young people in 26 regions of the country.

Opportunities for partnership between Junior Achievement Azerbaijan and Education Development Fund were discussed to expand this positive experience.

Today, Gunel Safarova, the chairwoman of the Public Council under the Ministry of Science and Education, members of the Council, Gulmammad Mammadov, Parvana Mammadova, Rufat Asadzade, as well as the Sector Manager of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mujdat Hasanov, were welcomed in by Education Development Fund.

Elnur Nasibov, Chairman of the Board of Education Development Fund, welcomed the guests and gave information about the main goals, strategy, directions of action and plans of the Fund.

Later, Mujdat Hasanov made a wide presentation about various educational programs, including the Intergovernmental Scholarship Programmes (“ISPs”). M. Hasanov gave a detailed explanation of educational opportunities, application rules, general statistical information within the framework of HTP, and issues related to the education of foreigners in Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, the questions of the members of the Public Council under the Ministry of Science and Education were answered, discussions were held and proposals were put forward.

On September 15, the opening ceremony of the newly built educational building for Sumagalli village secondary school of Ismayilli district was held.

The opening ceromony was attended by Elnur Nasibov, Adviser to the Minister of Science and Education, Chairman of the Board of the Education Development Fund, Nahid Bagirov, head of the Executive Power of Ismayilli district, Rovshan Aliyev, acting head of the Nagorno-Shirvan Regional Education Department, and teaching staff of the school.

224 students in 12 classes are studying in Sumagalli village secondary school of Ismayilli district, and 20 teachers are engaged in their education. The school is equipped with necessary furniture and equipment, classrooms and laboratories with visual aids.

It should be noted that last year 2 graduates of this small village school were admitted to universities with scores above 650. One of them received presidential scholarship.

On September 13, 2022, a round table was held on “Strategic action directions for higher education” by Education Development Fund (EDF) under the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Science and Education, deputy ministers, rectors of higher education institutions and educational staff.

Elnur Nasibov, the Chairman of the Board of the EDF, gave a presentation about the Fund’s strategic activities on higher education. It was noted that the Fund’s activities consist of strengthening the integration of education and economy, implementing public and socially important projects, adapting the material and technical base of educational institutions to modern requirements, and preparing mechanisms that confirm the development of education. Elnur Nasibov also mentioned that the activities of the Education Development Fund will cover not only higher and secondary education, but all levels of education, except vocational education.

As a result of the discussions of the chairman of the Education Development Fund with the rectors, it was noted that 5 strategic directions of action on higher education, including the implementation of academic mobility programs, institutional development of higher education institutions, preparation of scientific journals, publications and textbooks, participation in the development of university-industry cooperation and support for the development of students of higher education institutions have been determined.

Yekunda, TİF İdarə Heyətinin sədri universitetlər arasında tərəfdaşlıq fəaliyyətlərinin əlaqələndirilməsi məqsədilə məsul şəxsin təyin olunmasını xahiş edib və yeni tədris ilində ali təhsil müəssisələri rəhbərlərinə uğurlar arzulayıb.  

In the end, the Chairman of the Board of the EDF asked for the appointment of a person responsible for the coordination of partnership activities between universities and wished success to the heads of higher education institutions in the new academic year.

A two-day training-seminar on “Media and education dialogue” was organized by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The purpose of the training-seminar organized at the Azerbaijani-French University was to fully inform education journalists in this field, to strengthen the effective cooperation with the media and communicate the work to the public through the mass media.

Jasarat Valehov, head of the public relations sector of the Ministry of Science and Education, opened the event and spoke about the importance of the training-seminar. He noted that the events in this format have been started since 2014.

On the first day of the training-seminar, Elnur Nasibov, the Chairman of the Board of Education Development Fund, informed about the activities and goals of the Fund.

E. Nasibov said that the Fund was established in accordance with the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated July 14, 2021, by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated March 1, 2022. The main task of the fund is to participate in the formation of the state policy related to the development of education, to strengthen the integration of education and the economy, to finance public and socially important programs and projects aimed at the development of the education system, and to support the adaptation of the material and technical base of educational institutions to modern requirements, to participate in the development and implementation of mechanisms that promote the development of education, to help strengthen the social protection of the employees of the Ministry and to improve their financial support.

In addition, the Chairman of the Board announced the forms of making donations to the Education Development Fund. Donations can be made in the following ways. The first is possible by donating to the Education Development Fund, the second to any specific thematic project (for example, inclusive education, girls’ education, STEAM, infrastructure, etc.), and the third to one’s own school. Individuals and legal entities making donations can remain public or anonymous. Individuals or legal entities making non-monetary donation can be presented with partner certificates.

At the end of the speech, Elnur Nasibov answered the questions of media representatives.

The training-seminar continued with speeches and presentations on the topics of regional education departments and pre-school educational institutions, expectations from vocational education, certification process of educators working in general educational institutions, new steps in the field of science and higher education and teacher recruitment process.

A meeting was held between Fatih Yilmaz, Baku Coordinator of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), and Elnur Nasibov, Chairman of the Board of Education Development Fund.

Elnur Nasibov, Chairman of the Board of EDF gave information about the activities and goals of the Fund. He mentioned that the Education Development Fund under the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a public legal entity, was established by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated March 1, 2022, in accordance with the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The main task of the fund is to participate in the formation of the state policy related to the development of education, to strengthen the integration of education and the economy, to finance public and socially important programs and projects aimed at the development of the education system, and to support the adaptation of the material and technical base of educational institutions to modern requirements, to participate in the development and implementation of mechanisms that promote the development of education, to help strengthen the social protection of the employees of the Ministry and to improve their financial support.

At the meeting, the success of Azerbaijan and Türkiye in the field of education and prospects of future cooperation were discussed.

In order to make the last days of the summer vacation more entertaining and interesting, “One Volunteer” Students’ Cooperation Public Union has launched the second stage of a series of student camps called “StudentFest 2022” for students studying in all higher education institutions at the Zugulba Training and Sports Base.

Elnur Nasibov, Advisor to the Minister of Science and Education, Chairman of the Management Board of Education Development Fund, who participated in the opening ceremony, put emphasis on the continuation of such camps, which are useful in terms of forming creative thinking and open-mindedness towards innovations in students, gaining new friendships, and at the same time spending leisure time more efficiently.

Later, Deputy Head of Department of Information and Public Service, Sabuhi Rzayev, gave general information about the student camps organized before with the support of the Ministry of Science and Education, and called on the students to show activity and acquire new knowledge throughout the camp.

On the first day of the camp, informative sessions on various topics were organized with the presentation of Tahira Salayeva, the teacher of Baku Engineering University, Niftali Gasimli and Elchin Huseynov, the employees of Department of the International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Education, Ali Gurbanli, Head of Career Planning Division of the State Employment Agency. Within the framework of the camp, various sports competitions and other fun programs for students were organized with the support of coaches and sports experts.

10 enrollees who have demonstrated high results in the university admission exams were awarded with the organization of Modern Information Agency and the support of Nar Mobile company.

The purpose of the event is to introduce leader students of the country to people, and at the same time, to help them achieve success in their future goals. The ceremony was attended by MPs, employees of the Ministry of Science and Education, chairman of the board of the Education Development Fund, state officials, well-known public representatives and parents.

Elnur Nasibov, Advisor to the Minister of Science and Education, Chairman of the Board of Education Development Fund, who opened the event with an introductory speech, congratulated the young people:
“On behalf of the Ministry, we congratulate the students. Higher education is a very important part of our life. Today, education is considered a great achievement for us. It also means responsibility. Our young people also understand this very well. In recent years, very important issues fall on the Ministry. High results of our young people is a great success for us. Admission to the world’s top universities and fulfilling study places of bachelor’s degree programs indicate that we are taking a successful step towards the future. Today, the main task of every educational institution is to train high-level personnel. We congratulate our young people and wish them success in their careers.”

Elnur Nasibov, Chairman of the Board of Education Development Fund, held an online meeting with Ziauddin Yousafzai, co-founder of Malala Fund. The main purpose of the meeting was to make acquaintance and to discuss information and experience opportunities, as well as future cooperation prospects.

Malala Fund is a global fund founded by Malala and her father in 2013 to highlight the social and economic value of girls’ education. The main goal of the fund is to ensure access to universal education for girls and their right to be heard around the world. It was noted that access to universal education for more than 129 million girls in the world have been limited. Z.Yousafzai, the co-founder of the fund, gave information about the founding date of the institution, the regions where they operate and the projects they implement. Directions for joint cooperation in the future were discussed.

During the online meeting, E.Nasibov presented detailed information about the purpose, activities, main priorities and future plans of Education Development Fund. They talked about the possibilities of implementing joint projects on the integration of girls to education together with Malala Fund.