The opening ceremony of the International Green STEAM Azerbaijan Festival was held on October 24. The event, organized within the STEAM Azerbaijan project, is supported by the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan and the COP29 Presidency.   The ceremony, held at the Baku Expo Centre, was attended by government officials, members of parliament, COP29 representatives, heads of higher education and scientific institutions, prominent public figures and other guests.   The ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem, followed by a video dedicated to the festival.   Speaking at the event, Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev said that the festival was a significant and prestigious event in the field of education. He noted that the STEAM Azerbaijan project plays an important role in the country's education and that the main goal of STEAM education is to prepare the young generation for new challenges. At the end of his speech, the Minister wished the participants success.   For her part, senior UN climate change champion Nigar Arpadaray, who was present at the event, said that said the focus on green technologies in the STEAM Festival on the eve of COP29 was important. She also stressed that climate change can be mitigated through the synergy potential of the STEAM educational method.   STEAM Azerbaijan project manager Igrar Nazarov said that more than 900 people from 244 teams, 146 of which represent 15 countries, including the UK, Turkey, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the USA, are taking part in the final stage of the festival. The jury consisted of 17 members from 10 countries, including Denmark, Slovakia, Canada and Turkey. According to Nazarov, the festival will organise competitions and exhibitions in nine categories, covering topics such as “Green initiatives”, Green programming”, “Hydrogen car racing”, “Drone technology”, “Our satellite”, “Robot fighting”, “engineers of the future and others.   Nazarov noted that the STEAM project currently covers 398 schools and 252,711 students across the country, and more than 20 STEAM centres are already operational. It is also planned that the number of students participating in the project will reach 300,000 by 2026.   After the speeches, a video clip reflecting the preparation of the festival participants was presented, followed by a presentation of the teams. The opening ceremony ended with an artistic part.   The festival will take place on 24 and 25 October. During the two days, participants will also attend training sessions on climate change and sustainability organised by COP29 Azerbaijan experts.   The main goal of this year's festival is to promote STEAM learning, develop 21st century skills among students, identify creative individuals, and, taking into account the holding of COP29 in Azerbaijan and the announcement of 2024 as the ‘Year of Solidarity for a Green World’, prepare innovative solutions and projects for environmental improvement, efficient use of water resources and alternative energy sources using STEAM-based approaches.

24/10/2024 16:22

The opening ceremony of the International Green STEAM Azerbaijan Festival was held on October 24 with the support of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the COP29 Presidency, and the organization of the "STEAM Azerbaijan" project.   More than 900 participants from a total of 244 teams are taking part in the final stage of this year's festival, with 146 of them representing 15 countries, including Great Britain, Turkey, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the United States. A total of 17 judges from 10 different countries including Denmark, Slovakia, Canada, and Turkey are involved in the content development and evaluation process of the participants.   Competitions and exhibition contests will be organized in nine categories within the festival, including "Green Initiatives," "Green Coding," "Hydrogen Machine Race," "Drone Technologies," "Our Satellite," "Robot Battle," and "Engineers of the Future".     It should be noted that the festival will take place on October 24-25. The main goal of this year's festival is to traditionally promote STEAM-based education, develop 21st century skills among students, and reveal creative talent. In connection with the announcement of the "Year of Solidarity for the sake of the Green World" in our country and the hosting of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan in 2024, the festival aims to promote the development of innovative solutions and projects for the effective use of water resources, alternative energy sources, and environmental health by applying a STEAM-based approach.  

24/10/2024 11:18

Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry has been included in the list of 150 best universities in the world for ‘oil and gas engineering specialties’. The mentioned list was published today by “QS Quacquarelli Symonds”, one of the most prestigious rating agencies in the world. In the updated subject ranking of participating universities, Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry is located in the range of positions 101-150.   Thus, Azerbaijan is represented in the “QS 2024 ranking list of the world's best universities in 4 areas” by 3 higher education institutions. In addition to Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry, this rating also includes Azerbaijan University of Languages and Azerbaijan State Economic University (UNEC).   It should be noted that QS uses 5 main indicators when compiling subject rankings of the world's best universities: academic reputation, reputation among employers, number of citations per publication, “Hirsch” index, and index of international scientific cooperation. These rankings are an independent analysis comparing over 16,400 undergraduate study programs across 1,500 universities in 95 countries. The rankings were measured in 55 subjects and 5 subject categories.   The link provides detailed information on the methodology of the subject rankings of the world's best universities.

11/10/2024 18:53

The COP29 Presidency hosted a landmark event titled “Empowering Resilient and Sustainable Future: The Role of Human Development in Climate Action” at the Heydar Aliyev Center on 11 October 2024, within the framework of Pre-COP in Baku.   The event marked the announcement of the “Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience”, developed through inclusive consultations, with global partners, including with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNESCO, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UNICEF, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and Multilateral Development Banks, as well as with civil society and philanthropic organizations, and discussions were held along in this direction. The event was attended by representatives from governments, international organizations, and civil society, who gathered to share insights and perspectives on the integration of human development into climate resilience strategies.   Opening the event with introductory remarks, Yalchin Rafiev, Chief Negotiator of SOR29, emphasised that the aim of the initiative is to support human development through education, health, social protection, green jobs and skills with a continued focus on children and youth, thereby building resilience to the impacts of climate change.   The first panel, moderated by Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, explored the nexus between climate change and human development. Speakers included Hasan Hasanli, Deputy Minister of Science and Education of Azerbaijan; Saja Farooq Abdullah, UNICEF Representative in Azerbaijan; Troy Dooley, Head of the representative office of the International Organisation for Migration in Azerbaijan, Nigar Arpadarai, COP29 High-Level Champion, Yashar Hamzayev, ILO National Coordinator for Azerbaijan; and Kamran Mashhadi, Officer in Charge at WHO Azerbaijan. Discussions underscored the critical role of education, green jobs, and health in shaping a climate-resilient society, as well as the importance of empowering children and youth.   The second panel, moderated by Sunniya Durrani-Jamal, Asian Development Bank Country Director in Azerbaijan, addressed scaling up financing for human development in climate action. Panelists included Azar Bayramov, Director of OIC Labor Centre; Alessandra Roccasalvo, UNDP Resident Representative in Azerbaijan; Ahmet Levent Yener, Practice Leader for Human Development in the South Caucasus, World Bank; John Fairhurst, Head of Private Sector, The Global Fund; Jan-Willem van de Ven, Head of International Policy & Engagement, EBRD; and Bert De Wel, Global Climate Policy Coordinator of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The speakers discussed innovative financing mechanisms and cross-sector partnerships to bolster investments in human development.  

11/10/2024 18:22

On October 7, the Azerbaijani Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Azerbaijan Qasim Mohiuddin.   During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state of cooperation between the two countries in the field of science and education and prospects for further cooperation.  

07/10/2024 18:45

The participation of Deputy Minister of Science and Education Hasan Hasanli in the 3rd Conference of Ministers of Education of the Member States of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held in Muscat city of the Sultanate of Oman on the theme “Education Transformation Summit: from Commitment to Action” continues. On the second day of the conference, opening speeches were made, sessions were held, and reports and technical papers on girls' education, media education, the culture of artificial intelligence in education, digitization of education, and other similar topics were discussed. Finally, the draft Muscat Declaration was adopted. It should be noted that the conference was attended by high-level education delegations from more than 40 member states of ICESCO, former heads of states as well as chairpersons of international organizations and persons responsible for education.

03/10/2024 20:15

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva participated in the opening ceremony of the 960-seat Mehdi Mehdizade Secondary School in the city of Jabrayil.   Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev informed the President and the First Lady about the facilities available at the school.   The school, covering an area of 2.7 hectares, includes 40 classrooms and 5 administrative offices. Classrooms are equipped with essential teaching materials to ensure high-quality education for students. The educational institution also features laboratories for chemistry, physics, and biology, as well as technology and computer rooms, 4 STEAM rooms, a library, an assembly hall, a sports hall, and a canteen.   Internet, furniture, inventory, and other necessary equipment have been installed throughout the school. The school yard has been landscaped, with football, basketball, volleyball, and open play areas created for students.   The foundation of this educational institution was laid by President Ilham Aliyev on October 4, 2021.   https://president.az

03/10/2024 13:17

On the 1st of October, the Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Tamas Torma, and the Rector of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Mr. Csaba Gyuricza. During the meeting, the current state of cooperation between the two countries in science and education and prospects for further collaboration between the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the higher education institutions of Azerbaijan were discussed.

01/10/2024 17:20

The 1st Russian-Azerbaijani Scientific and Educational Forum, with the participation of Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia, Firudin Gurbanov, Deputy Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Victor Sadovnichiy, President of the Russian Union of Rectors, Rector of Moscow State University, kicked off its work in the Intellectual Centre of Moscow State University - Fundamental Library on September 25.   The forum was attended by representatives of more than 70 higher educational institutions in the two countries. Representatives of relevant state institutions, academies of sciences of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan made congratulatory speeches and reports at the forum.   Then, sessions and expert meetings were held within the framework of the forum. Issues of development of direct ties between higher educational and scientific institutions of Azerbaijan and Russia, main directions of cooperation in the field of science, opportunities for cooperation between educational institutions and the private sector, and other issues were discussed.   The forum also included a meeting of the Russian-Azerbaijani Association of Higher Education Institutions.   During the visit, Deputy Minister Firudin Gurbanov met with Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky and Deputy Minister of Education Andrey Korneev. Within the framework of these meetings, the current state and prospects for further development of bilateral co-operation were discussed.

26/09/2024 12:56

Supported by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and organized by the STEAM Azerbaijan project, the International Green STEAM Azerbaijan Festival will take place at the Baku Expo Center on October 24-25, 2024.  The festival aims to promote STEAM-based education, foster the 21st-century skills among students, identify creative talents, and encourage the development of innovative projects focused on environmental health, efficient water resource management, and alternative energy solutions. This aligns with Azerbaijan’s role as host of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC COP 29) and Azerbaijan’s declaration of 2024 as the "Year of Solidarity for a Green World." Now in its 4th edition, the STEAM Azerbaijan Festival (SAF 2024) will feature competitions in 8 categories and 1 exhibition-competition (Green Initiatives).  The categories include “H2 Grand Prix PRO,” “FlyTech,” “CubeSaT,” “VEX IQ Competition,” “VEX Robotics Competition,” “VidX,” “Engineers of Future,” “Green Initiatives,” and “Green Coding.” In addition to local teams, teams from Turkey, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Czech Republic, Slovakia, the USA, and other foreign countries will also compete. It should be noted that the STEAM education method integrates five key disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math, offering an interdisciplinary approach to learning. For more information: https://saf.steam.edu.az/en

24/09/2024 10:00