Baku Slavic University hosts the VI International Forum “New Challenges in Education”

On 4 October, Baku Slavic University (BSU) hosted the VI International Forum “New Challenges in Education”. 

The international forum dedicated to the ‘Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty’ was held under the motto ‘Towards a More Educated Future.’

At the event, which began with the national anthem, the bright memory of our martyrs was honored with a minute of silence.

Forum moderator and head of the T-Network platform, Jafar Mansimi, gave an opening speech and spoke about the objectives and importance of the forum. He noted that the main purpose of the forum was to discuss new challenges in education, draw attention to issues of quality education for all, character and willpower development, and the balance between emotional and artificial intelligence, as well as to contribute to further improving the quality of education in line with the educational requirements of the new era.

Deputy Minister of Science and Education Idris Isayev, who participated in the forum, noted that global challenges such as new technologies, artificial intelligence, digitalization and climate change require new approaches to education. The Deputy Minister stated that our young people must acquire new knowledge and skills in line with these challenges. That is why they need digital skills, analytical and flexible thinking, teamwork, creativity and other 21st century skills.

Touching upon the important role of education in shaping the economic power of each state, ensuring the social well-being of the population, and preserving national and cultural values, Idris Isayev emphasized that a country that pays attention to and cares about education and invests in human capital is a country that is developing.

In his welcoming speech, BSU Rector Anar Naghiyev reiterated that the future of the people and the country depends on the development of education and the upbringing of literate and patriotic young people, and drew attention to the great responsibility that falls on everyone in this matter.

Andreas Schleicher, Director of the Education and Skills Department at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), noted that in the modern learning process, special attention should be paid to thinking skills, problem solving and creative approaches.

Speaking about the integration of artificial intelligence into the education system, Schleicher referred to the OECD study “E2040 Exploration – Flourishing Together: Human Teachers and AI Agents in the Classrooms of the Future’ and noted that in the educational environment of the future, human teachers and artificial intelligence will act as ‘complementary partners.’ Teachers will focus on the moral and creative aspects of learning, while artificial intelligence will perform data processing, analytical feedback and personalized support functions.

The OECD representative emphasized that education systems must be prepared for cooperation rather than confrontation between people and technology. A successful school of the future is one that uses technology wisely but never loses sight of the human factor.

Speaking about the importance of teachers working together, Andreas Schleicher said that collective participation in schools, i.e. a culture of joint decision-making and responsibility, is one of the key factors in improving the quality of education.

The forum featured presentations by the head of Baltaş Group, renowned Turkish psychologist Acar Baltaş, CEO of the British Association of Education Providers Caroline Wright, director of Riga Classical State Gymnasium Roman Aliyev, founder of Baltaş Group, renowned Turkish psychologist Zuhal Baltaş, Lala Aliyeva, who received a master's degree in educational policy and analysis from Harvard University as part of the State Program for Study Abroad, and Sanem Ali, head of the Estonian Academy of Career Education.

The forum featured discussions on topics such as: "How can we regulate the balance between emotional and artificial intelligence in education? How can we ensure access to quality education for all and prevent the exclusion of any students? What concept of success should participants in the educational process focus on? How can all participants in the educational process be involved in the process of becoming the best version of themselves?" and other issues.

It should be noted that the international forum was held in a hybrid format with the assistance of the Ministry of Science and Education, the Education Development Fund, the Republican Committee of the Free Trade Union of Science and Education Workers, as well as the organizational support of Baku Slavic University and the T-Network platform for the exchange of experience and communication among education workers.