On 18 November 2015 at 10:00 a.m., at the Azerbaijan Technical University, a Kick Off Meeting marked the official launch of a new Twinning project in higher education. The project for “Support to the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Further Adherence of the Higher Education System to the European Higher Education Area” is funded by the European Union with a budget of 1,3 Million Euro.
The overall objective of the Twinning project is to enhance Azerbaijan’s higher education through increased integration with the standards of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The purpose is to increase the institutional capacities of the Ministry of Education and other key institutions of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the development of Bologna related policies and the implementation of the EHEA objectives and reference tools. The project will be implemented from 1 September 2015 to the end of August 2017.
The project reflects the strategic objectives under the EU-Azerbaijan ENP Action Plan, where support is foreseen for the reform and modernisation of the education and training systems within the framework of Azerbaijan’s reform programme. The EU-Azerbaijan ENP Action Plan includes, inter alia, higher education sector reforms in line with the Bologna process principles of quality enhancement, improved accreditation system for higher education institutions, policy dialogue between EU and Azerbaijani and increasing international cooperation and mobility.
The European project partners are the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (lead Member State partner), the Estonian Higher Education Quality Agency (Member State partner) and beneficiary partner is the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Mr. Havar Mammadov, Rector of the Azerbaijan Technical University made welcoming remarks and passed the floor to Mr. Yagub Piriyev, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and H.E. Ambassador Mrs. Malena Mård, Head of the European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan. In addition, H.E. Finnish Ambassador Mr. Christer Michelsson, Estonian Charge d’Affairs a.i. Mr. Indrek Kiverik made opening speeches. Mrs. Helka Kekäläinen, Head of Higher Education Evaluation Unit of the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre, Lead Project Leader, and Mrs. Heli Mattisen, Director of the Estonian Higher Education Quality Agency, Junior Project Leader made a joint presentation about the project. Mr. Emin Amrullayev, Head of the Education Development Programs Department of the Ministry of Education presented data on higher education in Azerbaijan. The Resident Twinning Adviser of the project, representatives of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and higher education institutions and students attended the event for the launch of the Project.
Further information:
Finnish Education Evaluation Centre
Mrs Helka Kekäläinen
E-mail: helka.kekalainen@karvi.fi
Phone: +358 29533 5513
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