“State Program on improving international competitiveness of higher education system in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2019-2023” was adopted with the Order, signed on November 16 by President Ilham Aliyev. In accordance with the Order, rector of Sumgayit State University Professor Elkhan Huseynov held a meeting with professor-teacher staff for the execution of the State Program.

He said: “Several projects were implemented in our country for preparation of qualified cadres in higher education institutions in our country. The main purpose of “State Program on education of Azerbaijani youth in foreign countries in 2007-2015” affirmed by Order dated April 16, 2007 № 2090 by President of Azerbaijan Republic was “turning black oil to human capital”. Successful execution of State Program has increased youth interest to science, modern technologies and knowledge. For this purpose, “State Program on improving international competitiveness of higher education system in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2019-2023” was prepared in direction of creating opportunities to Azerbaijani citizens to study within the higher education standards of leading countries. The program aims to educate new generation specialists taking advantage of novel scientific achievements, innovative teaching technologies, as well as modernize quality indicators of Azerbaijani education system with international dual diploma programs. The State Program is a logical continuation of our state policy. We believe that execution of this Program will give its results at Sumgayit State University along with other higher education institutions of our country, as well as it will be achieved preparation of qualified cadre compatible with country’s development priorities in Azerbaijani universities, application of international experience of PhD candidates in scientific-pedagogical field and their employment issues. And also, conducting mutual researches with scholars from different countries, expanding international relations will lead to positive outcomes”.

Vice-rector on Teaching Organization and Training Technologies docent Natig Talibov notified that the program on two directions has been prepared and spoke about targets of State Program. In first component of the document, it is intended to improve quality indicators of higher education system via dual diploma programs and involve foreign specialists. He pointed out that initially, 5 international dual diploma programs will be instituted for modernizing quality indexes of higher education system within State Program. “For this reason, partner universities will be chosen and the training will be held to academic staff of universities by involving foreign specialists”, he noted.

Vice-rector on Correspondent, Distant and Extra Education docent Gafar Atayev gave information about action plan on establishing teaching and practice laboratories of famous foreign and local companies in the field of ICT at universities within “State Program on implementing National Strategy about development of information society in Azerbaijan Republic for 2016-2020”. Getting international certificates in the field of ICT, expanding opportunities of interning in leading companies and institutions of ICT students are among raised issues. He also noted that they met with managers of Education Programs of Microsoft Company in Azerbaijan and discussed about Microsoft Imagine Academy and certification of students, @sdu.edu.az e-mail service in Office 365, Microsoft Cloud service – Azure for electron tools of University, licensing of Microsoft program provision and Microsoft Imagine Cup contest.

Afterwards, the works to be done within the 2 Programs were discussed by professor-teacher staff of the university.

Rector Professor Elkhan Huseynov gave assignments about establishing Working group on the execution of “State Program on improving international competitiveness of higher education system in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2019-2023”. Vice-rector on Teaching Organization and Training Technologies docent Natig Talibov was appointed the chairman.

Those document projects will be presented in the next meeting of Scientific Board within a short time.