On November 13, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the European Commission conducted a pilot accreditation of the physics curriculum at Sumgayit State University.

The meeting was attended by experts Philip Turek (professor of physics, researcher of the University of Strasbourg), Elian Kotler (quality assurance specialist at the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research of France), Hasan Huseynli (physics instructor at ADA school), Sevinj Alekberzade (Azerbaijan State University of Economics, Faculty of English language), Narmin Khalilova (student of the ADA), as well as vice-rectors of SSU, the facultyheads and academic staff.

Vice-rector for the Teaching Organization and Training Technologies, associate professor Natig Talibov welcomed the experts and spoke about the university’s activities, its structure and curricula, as well as the trainings conducted as part of the Twinning project. It was noted that the participation of SSU in EU-funded programs has become a tradition. From this point of view, the Twinning project is important. Vice-rector thanked the project participants for their support. He said that the Twinning project “Support to the Higher Education System in Azerbaijan”, funded by the European Union and implemented by the relevant educational units of France, Lithuania and Latvia, together with the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan, is making its worthy contribution to higher education in the country.

Vice-rectors Natig Talibov, Gafar Atayev, the head of the Department of Solid State and semiconductor physics Mahammadali Zarbaliyev, head of Career Center Amirkhan Isayev, chief of Department of International Cooperation Samira Mammadova, dean of the Faculty of Physics and Electroenergetics Tamella Ahmedova delivered speech in the event. Speakers spoke about seminars and trainings conducted within the framework of the Twinning project, involving employees of interested departments in the introspection process, joint events, increasing the knowledge, skills and abilities of the teaching staff, involving teachers who have mastered new teaching technologies, turning the university into an educational research and innovation center, the activities of the Dissertation Council, the efficient use of budgetary funds and intellectual resources, international relations of the university, participation in local and international projects, etc.

After presentations on the physics program, a discussion was held and a report of the introspection group was heard. The semester and final works of students, exam materials were viewed. The participants of the event got acquainted with the audience, laboratories, library and other resources of the university.

Then a meeting of graduates with representatives of employers took place. An interview was conducted with an employee of the Institute of Radiation Problems of ANAS Gunel Imanova, director of the Training Center of Azerenerji OJSC Araz Mammadzade, general director of Sumgayit HEN Khandam Ahmedov, representative of STP Nazim Azizov.

Experts appreciated the indicators for university management strategies, study programs, research activities, human resources, work with students, and teaching resources. They noted that the report submitted under the program was analytical. The experts gave their recommendations for further improving the quality of education.