Working group for Azerbaijan-France University meets in Baku
By Amina Nazarli
An initial meeting of the working group to establish the Azerbaijan-France University has been held in Baku.
The meeting was held between representatives of the Azerbaijan Education Ministry, Economy and Industry Ministry, Azerbaijan State Oil Company and employees of the State Oil Fund.
A delegation that included the university leadership of the State Oil and Industry University, chosen as a partner for the project, and a French delegation led by Strasbourg University President Professor Alain Beretz also attended the event.
In, his opening remarks, Minister of Education Mikayil Jabbarov noted that the ministry and French National Education, Higher Education and Research Ministry signed a protocol of intent on cooperation between universities of the two countries initiated by the Azerbaijani and French Presidents as part of the French President's visit to the country last May.
The meeting exchanged views over the establishment of the Azerbaijan-France University modeled after of the Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry and Strasbourg University.
Recently, Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva discussed this issue as part of a meeting with University of Strasbourg President Alain Beretz. She said, “Concrete steps have already been taken on this project.”
Azerbaijan and France have already had a joint project. The Baku French Lycee was opened in the city this September. Its foundation was laid during an official visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Baku in October 2011.
The lycee, supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, has been created with a view to ensure that French-language citizens living temporarily or permanently in Azerbaijan, as well as citizens of Azerbaijan, have a chance to study in French.
Located in the White City project in Baku, the lyceum is designed for 320 pupils to receive primary school education, including preschool education until college preparatory courses.
The education system will be based on the classic 12-year French education model, starting with kindergarten. The program is conducted in the French language, complying with the requirements of the French national education system.
Graduating pupils will be issued a certificate complying with the standards and requirements of the French National Education Ministry and will have the chance to continue their education at any higher educational institution in France.
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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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