Azernews.Az

A conference on cooperation prospects in educational field between Azerbaijan and Italy was held in Baku on Wednesday.

The event, organized as part of a series of events to mark the 20th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Italy, brought together parliamentarians, education workers and rectors of higher educational institutions from both countries.

Addressing the conference, Azerbaijan's Education Minister Misir Mardanov highlighted Azerbaijan-Italy relationship. The minister said three books on Azerbaijan`s history were published in Italian language by the Sapienza University.

Mardanov noted Azerbaijan-Italy educational cooperation started to expand after the signing of a bilateral agreement on cultural, scientific and technological cooperation in 2002.

He added universities of both countries had signed agreements on exchange of students. "In accordance with these documents, they also organize various conferences."

The minister said under the "State Program on education of Azerbaijani youth in foreign countries in 2007-2015" Azerbaijani students will study in 24 higher education institutions of Italy. According to him, a delegation of Azerbaijan`s Education Ministry visited Italy in June this year to discuss development of educational cooperation between the two countries.

Rector of the Sapienza University, Luigi Frati, spoke of the activities of the University, particularly its international relations. He said the Sapienza University had cooperation with Baku State, Azerbaijan Medical universities and Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction.

Representative of the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research, Ezio Sina briefed the participants on the education system of Italy.

Azerbaijani ambassador to Italy Vagif Sadigov and Italy`s envoy to Azerbaijan Mario Corco Stefano Baldi spoke about the importance of education cooperation between the two countries.

The conference participants heard reports on prospects for development of Azerbaijan-Italy educational cooperation.