On May 25, a delegation led by the rector of Gazi University of Turkey Musa Yildiz met with the rectors of leading Azerbaijani universities on "Turkish-Azerbaijani educational cooperation."

Opening the event, Deputy Minister of Education Firudin Gurbanov noted that the friendly and fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey have serious foundations. He noted that the relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, which are based on the great leader Heydar Aliyev"s philosophy "One Nation, Two States", based on historical roots and brotherhood, and always show solidarity, have been successful in political, economic, trade, humanitarian, military and other fields. Today, Turkey has undergone significant socio-economic and scientific progress, comprehensive development and has become a center of power pursuing an independent policy on a global scale: “We can proudly say that Azerbaijani-Turkish relations are at the highest level due to the will of our peoples. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan have played an unparalleled role in bringing our interstate relations based on friendship and brotherhood to this level. Their resolute policy to further strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations and the open, unwavering moral and political support of the brotherly country for the liberation of the ancient lands of Azerbaijan are highly appreciated by our people. We will always remember Turkey"s support for Azerbaijan in the 44-day Karabakh war. "

The Deputy Minister stressed that relations between our countries are constantly developing in the field of education, as in all areas. The requirements of modern times show the importance of deepening integration in science and education, expanding cooperation in this field. In order to modernize the content and quality of the higher education system in Azerbaijan in 2018, the relevant Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan approved the "State Program to increase the international competitiveness of the higher education system in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2019-2023." The implementation of the State Program includes the establishment of international dual degree programs in local universities and the organization of doctoral education of Azerbaijani citizens in prestigious foreign universities. Of the 5 international double degree programs to be established under the State Program, 3 are already being implemented from 2020. Currently, 115 students are studying under these programs. At the same time, negotiations are underway between the relevant university of Turkey and the Azerbaijan State Agrarian University to establish a dual degree program. About 80 young researchers continue their education in developed foreign countries under the second direction of the State Program. Among them are students studying in Turkey: : “As we know, Gazi University has extensive experience in training highly qualified specialists in medical education in Turkey. For this reason, 38 out of about 50 Azerbaijani citizens who won the right to study under the "State Program for the Education of Azerbaijani Youth Abroad in 2007-2015" chose the medical specialty of Gazi University. "

Firudin Gurbanov noted that the number of Turkish citizens among foreign students studying in Azerbaijan from 90 countries is more than 40 percent. 23,000 Azerbaijani citizens study in Turkey.

Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a completely different situation in all countries of the world. It made it necessary to reconsider socio-economic priorities. One of the areas affected by the pandemic is education. The situation has shown that in a changing world, education must be ready for transformation. The organization of education in a pandemic environment was made possible by the use of information and digital technologies: “Taking into account the century-old experience of Gazi University in engineering, which hosts a contingent of 70,000 students, Azerbaijan Technical University has signed an agreement with Gazi University to establish dual degree programs in mechanical engineering, metallurgy and materials engineering, electrical and electronics engineering . Gazi University and Mingachevir State University and Azerbaijan Medical University have signed an agreement on cooperation. I believe that the agreements signed and discussions held during the visit of the delegation will contribute to the development of cooperation between Azerbaijani and Turkish universities. It will further expand contacts in the field of joint research, student-teacher exchange and involvement of specialists.

Rector of Gazi University Musa Yildiz expressed confidence that the cooperation between Azerbaijani and Turkish universities will yield high results. The rector made a presentation of the university he leads and gave detailed information about the higher education institution. Then a protocol of cooperation was signed between Sumgayit State University and Gazi University. Rector of SSU, Professor Elkhan Huseynov spoke about the importance of cooperation between SSU and Gazi University and the opportunities to benefit from the vast experience of the sister country in the field of higher education. The President spoke about the high attention and care shown by Mr. Ilham Aliyev to the development of higher education and the achievements in this direction. He stressed the importance of cooperation with the leading universities of the brother country in terms of improving the quality of staff training at Sumgayit State University. He noted that SSU has been cooperating with Gazi University since 2015 within the ERASMUS + Petra project. The signed protocol covers the principles of training, education, academic and cultural cooperation between Gazi University and Sumgayit State University.

Rector of Gazi University Musa Yildiz expressed confidence that the cooperation between the university and Sumgayit State University will yield high results.

It should be noted that the Protocol provides for project development and implementation activities between the two institutions to benefit from national or international financial resources, organize joint seminars and encourage participation in summer school programs, encourage student visits between the two institutions, benefit from the special experience of both parties, implementation of joint programs, exchange of researchers between the two institutions, appointment of joint and foreign consultants for the preparation of master"s theses and doctoral dissertations, etc. issues.