On September 25, the conference on the presentation of Twinning project “Support to strengthening higher education in Azerbaijan” was held by the organization of Ministry of Education in “Four Seasons Baku” hotel. 
The purpose of organizing the conference was informing higher education institutions, other interested parties and community about content of the project which will be realized by financial support of European Union in next 2 years. 
Minister of Education Jeyhun Bayramov delivered speech in the event attended by ambassadors of European countries to Azerbaijan and project experts, spoke about substantial role of education in modern world and emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev calls special attention to this field. 
The minister notified that Azerbaijan gives great importance to evaluate the role of education in development of human capital, considering trends and challenges observed in world education. In this regard, “State Strategy on development of education in the Republic of Azerbaijan” certified in 2013 by the President, aims to form education system with infrastructure based on highly qualified educators and modern technologies. This conceptual document determining priorities of our education and basic activity directions of education system focuses on creating equal and qualitative education opportunities for everyone. 
Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized that substantial works have done in our country in last 5 years for advancing higher education and increasing the quality of education services proposed by higher education institutions. He also noted that legislative base of higher education has been improved; cadre potential and material-technical base of universities have been strengthened.
Significant achievement have been gained in direction of applying new approaches and methodologies in qualified cadre preparation, expanding autonomy of universities, improving student admission rules, establishing quality assurance centers, increasing efficiency of the activity of career centers for providing employment of graduates and raising the importance of scientific activity results at the universities. 
Expressing his thoughts about the project “Support to strengthening higher education in Azerbaijan”, the Minister highlighted its significance in advancement of higher education.
Acting head of the Department of cooperation of European Union Alexandra Nerisanu, Ambassador of Lithuania to Azerbaijan Valdas Lastauskas, Ambassador of Latvia to Azerbaijan Yuris Maklakovs and head of the project on European Union Bruno Curvale pointed out that the cooperation is effective and the project will contribute to higher education. 
Afterwards the presentation of Yagub Piriyev, deputy head of Apparatus of the Ministry of Education was heard. 
It was informed that the project, which is realized within the program and launched in April of current year, is conducted by the consortium including Ministry of Education, France, Lithuania and Latvia. The project is realized as the continuation of Twinning project “Support to Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan Republic for strengthening integration of higher education system to European Higher Education Area”. 
It should be noted that vice-rector on Teaching Organization and Training Technologies docent Natig Talibov and vice-rector on Economic Issues Naib Hajiyev represented Sumgayit State University. 

Press Service