Azerbaijan to categorize universities based on quality of education, staff
By Jamila Babayeva
Universities in Azerbaijan will be categorized based on quality of education, material and technical conditions, and also the potential scientific-pedagogical staff, Azerbaijani education minister Mikayil Jabbarov said on December 14.
All universities in the country will be divided into two categories and will get the status of university and national university, he added.
Speaking at the 14th Congress of Teachers of Azerbaijan, he said the State Education Development Strategy supports the liquidation of the plan for admission to universities and colleges, and the admission by the state order will be determined only by specialty.
"Universities should have two statuses - university and national university. State order should be divided only between these universities, which have the national status," Jabbarov noted.
The minister said pass grade for students wishing to study at universities which have a national status will be high. "But pass score for other universities should be at a minimum level. In accordance with the admission's indicators universities can move from one group to another".
At the same time admission plan on a fee basis will be gradually eliminated, minister said.
"After these developments, we can provide universities with high contingent of students who will be able to study there. On the other hand, the need for education abroad because of a shortage of score will also disappear. Each person wishing to obtain a higher education and meet the minimum requirements will be able to continue education at universities at home".
Azerbaijan needs to create a course on the modern system of assessment in education, head of the State Students Admission Commission Maleyka Abbaszade said.
"Currently, there are other methods of assessment in education, but it is not taught at pedagogical institutes. Courses on modern method of estimation should be created at these universities. Now there are no such courses".
President of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan (NASA) Akif Alizadeh, in turn, said circles of science should be established in secondary schools.
"School children will discuss issues related to science at these circles. There is a need to create a unity of science and education. To achieve such unity basic departments are created at NASA's institutes".
The 14th Congress of Teachers of Azerbaijan adopted a resolution.
The main goal now is to bring human capital to the fore in the economy, the resolution states.
"State Strategy for the Development of Education in Azerbaijan aimed at creating a system of education directed to update the content of education, personality formation, consistent with national traditions and contemporary trends. The reforms will be focused on the application of innovative methods, formation of experienced teachers, and the increasing influence of teachers. Formation of a new education management system, based on cooperation between the state and business, will promote compliance with European standards of Azerbaijani education".