The next meeting on changes to student scholarships was held at the Ministry of Education

On February 9, the meeting on changes to student scholarships was held at the Ministry of Education with Vice-rectors and accountants of higher educational institutions, and directors and accountants of secondary specialized educational institutions.

During the meeting, the duties arising from the Order No. 1516 of the President of Azerbaijan Republic dated November 10, 2015, on "Making amendments to the Order No. 3108 of the President of Azerbaijan Republic dated August 30, 2013, on "Increasing scholarships for doctoral candidates, students and pupils of higher, secondary specialized and initial vocational educational institutions"" were explained to the employees of educational institutions. It was noted that according to the Order, scholarships would be paid to students receiving full-time education at higher and secondary specialized educational institutions regardless of tuition-free education or fee-based education for students and taking into account the overall average success rate and the academic achievements in subjects.

It was underlined that the document signed by the head of state was aimed to increase state care for students, to stimulate students' interest in education, to create a competitive environment among learners in order to improve the quality of education and to strengthen the social protection of youth in accordance with the "National Strategy for the Development of Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan". The new rule reflects the true purpose of student scholarship and is based on the principle of justice.

In accordance with the Order, the "Rule of assignment and payment of scholarships to doctoral candidates, students and pupils of higher, secondary specialized and initial vocational education institutions" was approved by the Decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Under the new rules, scholarships will be paid to students receiving full-time education at higher and secondary specialized education institutions regardless of tuition-free education or fee-based education for students and taking into account the overall average success rate and the academic achievements in subjects.

So, after the first half-year, regardless of tuition-free education or fee-based education for students, scholarships will be assigned to those, who differ in high academic achievement, after taking into account the total number of students admitted to education institution, to this specialty with the state order in the current year. The implementation of the Order provides an opportunity for students from low-income families, and for those, who get a fee-based education and differ in high academic achievement, to receive a scholarship. In addition, refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as students from privileged families, whose tuition fees are paid by the state, will have the opportunity to improve social welfare.

In addition to the above, new rules will enable to stimulate interest in education and to create a competitive environment among learners. This, in turn, will create favorable conditions to improve the quality of education and to carry out training of high-quality personnel. 

At the end of the meeting, numerous questions of participants of the event were answered.