The goal of the visit made within the Twinning Project jointly conducted by the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan and the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of Germany was to become acquainted with the vocational education system of both countries and discuss the possibility of introducing a new concept developed within the Project. The delegation included vocational education officials of the Ministry of Education, directors of vocational education institutions, teachers and industry training masters. At the first part of the visit, the delegation became familiar with Rakican Biotechnology Vocational School located in Pomurska region of Slovenia known as an important agriculture region of the country. They were informed about the organization of teaching process at the school and vocational education system of Slovenia. It should be noted that, Rakican Biotechnology Vocational School cooperates with Ansbach Vocational Education Centre, which is a German partner of Twinning Project. At the meeting held at Regional Agriculture Society was also given information about the agriculture structure of the region. At the second part of the visit, the delegation became acquainted with different vocational education institutions and organizations located in Federal State of Bavaria, Germany. They had a meeting with Thomas Miller, Director of State Institute for School Quality and Education Research located in Munich that develops curricula for vocational education field and organizes quality management. At the meeting, the Director gave information on the fields of activity and structure of Institute headed by him. Next, the Head of Vocational Schools Department of Institute Georg Renner gave a presentation entitled “Development of curricula for vocational schools.” At the second half of the day, the presentation on the theme of “Quality Management” given by deputy director of Institute Arnulf Zöller was heard, as well as held relevant discussions. The delegation also attended Troisdorf Education Center known as an important education center for agriculture in North Bavaria. There was heard presentations on the vocational system of the region, teacher training in Germany, organization of exams, etc. and was held discussions. Azeri experts also became acquainted with special training centers operating in the Center, organization of industry practices and have met with intern students and industry manager. Moreover, the delegation visited Ansbach Vocational Education Centre and Regensburg Vocational Education Center. The latter is specialized in social sciences and gardening. During the visit, German experts and Azeri delegation also discussed the possibility of implementing relevant education concept at pilot schools, issues regarding teacher training, organization of retraining courses, and put forward concrete proposals.

08/07/2015 16:52

The main goal of the event is to discuss the preparation of subject curricula for higher education institutions, planning the quality of education, introduction of new trends in the management of higher education institutions, cooperation between universities and entrepreneurs, scientific research planning, reforms in doctoral studies, etc. The seminar was attended by officials of the Ministry of Education, ISESCO representative Mohammad Hilal, local experts and expert from Malaysia Nik Ahmad Hisham Ismail. The seminar chaired by Director of Science Department of the Ministry of Education Gultekin Huseynova was devoted to the comparative analysis of higher education. At the end of the seminar participants were awarded certificates.

08/07/2015 16:52

Education Minister Mikayil Jabbarov expressed his pleasure at meeting with the guests at the Ministry and underlined special importance of education field in the bilateral relations between the two countries. Noting the importance of developing relations with Turkey in the higher education field, the Minister said that it will have positive impact on the development of higher education system of Azerbaijan.  Rector of Gazi University Suleyman Buyukberber congratulated Mikayil Jabbarov on his appointment as Education Minister and wished him success in his new role. He expressed his pleasure at visiting Azerbaijan and thanked the Minister for the warm welcome. Rector of Gazi University talked about meetings held by the delegation at higher education institutions of Azerbaijan and signing of relevant documents for the expansion of existing cooperation. Moreover, Suleyman Buyukberber gave detailed information about the Gazi University noting the university, which is one of the best universities of Turkey, attaches particular importance to the relations with universities of Azerbaijan. Noting there are currently 80,000 students studying at Gazi University, including 1500 international students, the Rector stressed their interest in increasing the number of Azeri students studying in different specialties at Gazi University. He also talked about issues concerning works implemented within the realization of joint program for granting double diplomas at Gazi University and stressed the possibility of sharing this experience with Azerbaijan.  Education Minister Mikayil Jabbarov thanked S. Buyukberber for the detailed information and the importance given by him to the development of relations with Azerbaijan. Noting rules to regulate management, financing and, etc. issues at the University are of interest, the Minister expressed his belief that the cooperation between Azeri universities and Gazi University will yield fruitful results. Education Minster noted that Azeri youth are sent to the top universities in the world to study in priority for the country specialties within the State Program for the study of Azeri youth abroad for the years 2007-2015, signed by President Ilham Aliyev. He talked about the main goals of the program and stressed that the policy to meet the need of the country in cadres with modern skills was launched by national leader Heydar Aliyev in 70-80th of the 20th century. Noting the transition of oil capital into human capital is one of the priorities of the state policy in Azerbaijan, the Minister underlined his belief that study of Azeri students in priority for the country specialties at prestigious Turkish universities will yield positive results. Next, the sides exchanged views on other issues of common interest, and put forward some proposals regarding the development of relations.

08/07/2015 16:52

Books devoted to the various periods of life and activity of national leader, and a documentary film were demonstrated at the exhibition. The event was attended by heads of structural units and departments of the Ministry of Education, and staff of Central Scientific Library. There was noted the importance of such events in studying life and activity of national leader Heydar Aliyev, an architect of the independent state of Azerbaijan. The interest in the exhibition was praised as a shining example of respect of education community for the national leader. It was also noted that events devoted to the 90th birth anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev are held at all education institutions of the country.

08/07/2015 16:52

On 3 May, Education Minister Mikayil Jabbarov met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule. According to Mr. Fule, the European Union intends to apply new methods of educational cooperation with Azerbaijan. He noted the need of Azerbaijan for sustainable educational reform and underlined the importance of experience of Central and Eastern Europe countries that transitioned to the European education system in this direction stressing their willingness to render support for this. Having noted the importance of existing relations between Azerbaijan and European Union, Education Minister Mikayil Jabbarov underlined that education projects occupy a special place in bilateral relations. Moreover, the Minister highly praised the support from the EU to the education field of Azerbaijan and underlined the use of all methods that might be offered by the EU to achieve goals in the education field within the Development Concept “Azerbaijan 2020: a glance at the future” would be helpful.

08/07/2015 16:52

The event was attended by Minister of Emergency Situations, Colonel-General Kamaladdin Heydarov, Minister of Education Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov, Head of the UNICEF office in Azerbaijan Mark Hereward, heads of relevant structures of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and schoolchildren. Prior to the event, the attendees became acquainted with exhibition of handmade works submitted to the competition. It was noted that schoolchildren representing all cities and districts of the country have participated in the competition, which was held in the following nominations: “Drawing”, “Poster”, “Handcraft”, “Soft toy”, “Model for fire emergency-rescue techniques”, and “Poem.” The goal of the competition is to build culture of safety life activity for children, draw attention of society to emergency problems, nurture a patriotic spirit in growing generation, as well as reveal talented children.

08/07/2015 16:52

Structural changes were made to the Administration of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Structural changes were made to the Administration of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan in order to improve the effectiveness of the Ministry’s activity and the management. Accreditation, and Monitoring and Evaluation departments of the Ministry’s Administration were abolished, and instead Department for Licensing and Quality Control in Education was established to determine the structural separation of Administration of the Ministry of Education based on principles of efficiency and functionality, exclude parallels in the activity of divisions and improve the management. Department for Internal Control was established in order to create internal control system at the Ministry, strengthen the fight against corruption in the education field, take operative measures regarding information received by the Hotline Service of the Ministry, as well as determine the exact subordination of structural divisions and provide functional specialization in accordance with the implementation of provisions of “National Strategy for increasing transparency and fight against corruption” approved by the Order 2292 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan of 28 July 2007. The Hotline Service of the Ministry was transferred to the Department for Internal Control. Moreover, Department for Student Exchange and Education Development Programs was established in order to meet the need of the country in specialists with modern skills, increase opportunities for talented young people to study in the world’s leading countries, improve the efficiency of student exchange process with foreign states and provide implementation of interstate, regional and international development programs in the education field. Sector for study abroad and work with foreign students was removed from the Department for International Relations and transferred to the above-mentioned Department.

08/07/2015 16:52

Based on information about the death of 11th grade pupil from secondary school No.17 of Sumgait city Azad Ilyasov that occurred on May 13 at 09.00 a.m. officials of Sumgayit city Prosecutor’s Office, Sumgayit city department of the Ministry of Education and Sumgayit Police Department have quickly arrived on the scene. Police officers and medical examiner have inspected the corpse at the scene of death, and taken other necessary procedural actions. It was revealed that on this day 20 pupils from different classes, including A. Ilyasov were late for class and therefore assistant principal for educational issues of the school Gafar Hajiyev illegally forced them to run around the school’s stadium. A.Ilyasov, who was registered in the city pediatric clinic No. 3 with a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, has followed the order and ran a few laps around the stadium, then fell and despite rendering first aid to him, has died. The preliminary investigation conducted in connection with the incident revealed that the teaching process at the mentioned school was not organized based on the principles of health education and health promotion. In this regard, administrative measures were taken by the Ministry of Education, and with relevant directive of the Minister of Education school principal Nargila Safarova and assistant principal for educational issues Gafar Hajiyev were removed from their positions. According to the statement, strong measures will be taken in order to address negative facts existing at the number of educational institutions, including mutual disrespect, unhealthy environment and other these kinds of problems and different government agencies will be involved in the process if necessary. Sumgayit City Prosecutor’s Office has opened a criminal case under Article 309.1 (abuse of power) of the Criminal Code and appointed a forensic examination to determine the cause of death of A. Ilyasov. Currently, the investigation into the incident is ongoing and the public will be informed later about its result.

08/07/2015 16:52

Currently, the number of complaints is being investigated by the Department for Internal Control of the Ministry of Education established as a result of structural changes occurred at the Ministry, and which bears responsibility for investigating complaints received by the Ministry. The following facts were revealed as a result of conducted internal investigation, and taken relevant measures. Director of School No.270 of Surakhani district Talib Rahimov was discharged from its position as a result of investigation carried out based on the request of M. Kazimov regarding gross violation of procedural rules for admission of pupils to grade 1. Security police officer of the Ministry of Education and member of Secretariat of the Council for pupils, students, post-graduate and intern students abroad were fired due to the request of N. Eyvazli regarding violation of rules established by law for reporting information to law-enforcement agencies. As a result of investigation carried out based on the request of A. Agabeyov, head of correspondence branch of Baku State College of Economics and Humanities A. Guliyeva was dismissed from its post for trying to illegally help students with poor academic achievements through abusing its position. Moreover, director and deputy director of the College were demoted. The education system is one of the important parts of the social and economic development of the country. The activity of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan aims to ensure the right of citizens to education. One of the main functions of the Ministry of Education is to create equal educational opportunities by ensuring state control over the quality of education and protecting the constitutional rights of citizens to receive education. In this regard, the Ministry of Education will provide a systematic approach to the implementation of tasks assigned to the Ministry.

08/07/2015 16:52

At first, Education Minister visited the monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev located at the central square of Nakhchivan and the Heydar Aliyev Museum. After becoming acquainted with the unique exhibits related to the life and activity of national leader at the Museum, the Minister met with the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Vasif Talibov. Afterward, at the Assembly Hall of Nakhchivan State University with the participation of Education Minister Mikayil Jabbarov, First Deputy Chairman of Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan AR Azer Zeynalov and Education Minister of Nakhchivan AR Piri Nagiyev, new Rector of Nakhchivan State University Saleh Maharramov, who was appointed to this position by the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan of 17 May 2013, was presented to the University staff. Speaking at the event Education Minister of Azerbaijan talked about the history of the University and wished Saleh Maharramov success in his new position. The Minister noted achievements of the University and spoke about the goals and tasks set for the new Rector. During the exchange of views with the University staff, the Minister discussed issues on restoring the authority of teachers and strengthening economic activities of higher education institutions to provide decent living conditions for teachers. According to the Minister, the Ministry of Education will implement practical works in this direction. Moreover, Education Minister of Azerbaijan became acquainted with material and technical base of the University, as well as study and living conditions for local and foreign students. He was also informed about the advanced experience of the University. During the visit, the Minister was accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

08/07/2015 16:52