BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 8. Azerbaijan’s Baku is hosting the Education Development Forum, Trend reports.
The forum is set to be a melting pot for fruitful discussions and a solid backbone for pushing the envelope in education. It also aims to build bridges and foster lasting relationships among the government, universities, and industry.
The forum rolls around each year, providing a golden opportunity to chew the fat about pressing matters tied to the current landscape of the nation's education system, its marriage to the economy, and the bright future of public-private partnerships.
One of the event speakers, Azerbaijani Science and Education Minister Emin Amrullayev, said that with the Education Development Fund in place, partnerships with private sector organizations can be formed in the field of education.
The Minister pointed out that the Education Development Forum is making its second appearance in the country, uniting private companies and state institutions under one roof.
“Several educational development programs are being implemented in collaboration with private companies. Included are efforts designed to promote girls' education,” the minister added.
The First Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev, speaking at the forum, noted that the number of students enrolling in technical specialties continues to grow, allowing them to find jobs that match labor market demands.
He mentioned that work is ongoing to improve the draft law on innovative activities.
"It's impossible to change the education system overnight. This requires time, and we must be ready for this transformation. Everyone needs to continuously expand their knowledge. Only in this way can we achieve progress in education," emphasized the official.
According to Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population Anar Aliyev, the establishment of a connection between the education system and the labor market stands crucial.
He noted that the ministry is implementing employment programs.
"Additionally, job seekers are being engaged in vocational training. Currently, addressing the challenges facing education and the labor market should not fall solely on the government. The private sector must also participate in this effort. The vocational training conducted is aligned with labor market needs. We can provide training in 170 specialties. Next year, we plan to expand cooperation in this area with the private sector," the deputy minister said.
President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) Rovshan Najaf said that the development of science requires an appropriate ecosystem, said in his speech at the Education Development Forum.
He noted that SOCAR is implementing an internship program in collaboration with five higher education institutions.
"Cooperation with universities focuses on workforce training. In 5 to 10 years, technologies in any field will be entirely different. We must master these technologies to compete with other countries. For science to thrive, a necessary ecosystem must exist.
Additionally, there needs to be a platform for intellectual property development. Elevating the prestige of science is crucial. Young people interested in science should understand that engaging in scientific work and owning patents can also generate income. Human capital is essential for science," Najaf also said.
Will be updated