Canadian Waterloo University plans to support Azerbaijani IT University
By Nigar Orujova
Canadian University of Waterloo plans to support the newly established Azerbaijani Information Technology University.
President of the Waterloo University Feridun Hamdullahpur met with Azerbaijani Communication and IT Minister Ali Abbasov in Baku, the ministry said.
Hamdullapur expressed willingness to provide the ministry with curricula unconditionally, at the same time to establish close relations between the two educational institutions in the implementation of teacher and student exchange.
Abbasov informed Hamdullapur about ICT Year in Azerbaijan and the work done in the field of ICT, the reforms carried out and prospects, as well as about annual growth of the sector.
The IT University was established in Azerbaijan as part of the action plan of the ICT Year.
Hamdullapur stated the declaration of ICT sector in the country was a priority, including the establishment of the IT University.
About the exchange of mutual experience, Hamdullapur expressed satisfaction with the fact that some 30 Azerbaijani students are currently studying at the University of Waterloo. He also expressed confidence that young people studying IT at this educational institution and other innovative fields will contribute to the economic development of their country in the future.
Abbasov said that the Canadian experience, especially the experience of the Waterloo University will be considered in the future in the organization of activity of the IT University. Moreover, a joint action plan is being prepared on the basis of discussions with the Canadian side.
Over $180 million were invested in Azerbaijan's ICT and postal communication sectors in January-September 2013, exceeding the figure posted for the same period of 2012 by 22 percent.
The ICT ministry plans to provide all areas of Azerbaijan with high-speed internet access by 2017. At present, 70 percent of Azerbaijan's population uses the internet and the penetration rate of broadband internet among the population is 50 percent.