NEW AZERBAIJAN PARTY

Q: The new academic year is nearing. As we know education is one of the priority areas for the Azerbaijani government. How do you evaluate the reforms in the education sector?

A: Serious educational reforms are being implemented in Azerbaijan. The foundations of Azerbaijan`s educational achievements were laid by national leader Heydar Aliyev. And this policy is successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev. Comprehensive measures are being taken in the country to develop education. Budgetary spending on education amounts to billions. Large-scale educational reforms are being carried out in the country. The main aim of reforms is to bring education to international standards.

Work has continued this year towards speeding up the socioeconomic development of Baku and its suburban settlements in accordance with the instructions of the head of state. Educational, healthcare and cultural facilities are being successfully overhauled and new schools and kindergartens built.

The Azerbaijani state takes care of the development of education and science at the highest level. Progress in these fields, for its part, contributes to the rapid development of our country. One of the priorities of the policy pursued by the Azerbaijani state is the development of human capital. Investment in education is of great importance from this point of view.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has exceptional services in the fact that education has entered a new stage of development, strengthened its material and technical infrastructure. The Foundation’s “New school for a renewing Azerbaijan,” “Support for Education”, “Development of Orphanages and Boarding Schools” and other projects have played an important part in the development of this sphere. One of the factors stipulating the success of these programs and projects is that President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva pays constant attention to these issues. Hundreds of schools and additional buildings have been built and thousands of schools reconstructed in the country in recent years.

Q: What can you say of state educational programs?

A: Taking into account the importance of study Azerbaijani young people at world’s top universities, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed an Executive Order on “State program on education of Azerbaijani youth abroad” of 19 October 2006, and on approval of the State program on the study of Azerbaijani youth abroad in 2007-2015”, dated 16 April, 2007.

Currently, hundreds of Azeri students are studying at bachelor, masters degrees, postgraduate and doctoral levels of universities of many countries, including the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, New Zealand, Austria, Japan, Australia, Southern Korea, Sweden, Netherlands, and others within this program. The program provides study of 5,000 young people abroad for the 2007-2015 years.

Q: In this context what are the advantages of “State program on education of Azerbaijani youth abroad”?

Main objective of “State Program on education of Azerbaijani youth abroad in 2007-2015” approved by decree of the President of Azerbaijan on April 16, 2007 are to bring the number of Azerbaijani youths sent for study abroad at the expense of state on all levels of education to 1000 persons in 2015, and their total number during 2007-2015 to 5,000, dividing  education within the financial resources allocated, for the bachelor's, master's, residency, doctoral degrees, as well as qualification improvement and retraining, providing of  professional training on the basis of  the exchange of students among higher education institutions  and based on intergovernmental agreements, taking into account the priorities of economic development of the country.

The program is aimed at preparing highly-qualified specialists in Azerbaijan. It is one of the key priorities for the government.

Q: How would you assess a legislative basis for the development of education?

A: In 2010, the Milli Majlis adopted the law on education was adopted by the third convocation of the parliament. The law meets the requirements of the modern state development and current challenges. The law provides opportunities for transformation to European values by preserving national traditions. I think this law is much more perfect that laws of many European countries.

Q: Discussing a draft law on science policy is on the agenda. What contribution will this document make to the development of science in the country?

A: The draft law on science policy is of great importance. It will lay a strong legal base for the development of the country`s science policy. It will also pave the way for the realization of people`s intellectual potential and encouragement of their science achievements.

Reforms carried out in recent years have yielded fruitful results. One of achievements is that the international prestige of Azerbaijani scholars has increased. The law will contribute to developing science and encouraging reforms.