TEMPUS in Azerbaijan Documentation for quality assurance of

TEMPUS in Azerbaijan “Documentation for quality assurance of study programmes” project Country report Genoa 3 -4 November 2011 By Mr. Agil Valiyev

TEMPUS in Azerbaijan participated in TEMPUS program since 1995. Now 16 Azerbaijan universities (state and private) participate in TEMPUS program. These universities are… Baku State University, Azerbaijan Medical University, Azerbaijan University of Languages, Azerbaijan Technical University, Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, Azerbaijan State Economical University, Azerbaijan Architechture and Construction University, Gafgaz University, Khazar University, Odlar Yurdu University, Azerbaijan State Agrarian University, Sumgayit State University and etc.

TEMPUS in Azerbaijan l Till 2008 Azerbaijan higher educational institutions proposal for 13 -20 projects to EU within the framework of TEPMUS program. l Now Azerbaijan higher educational institutions proposal approximately 35 -40 projects to EU within the framework of TEPMUS program. l Azerbaijan has participated in 27 TEMPUS projects till now. Only this year we have got 5 TEMPUS projects. l Since 1995 it has been to finance more than 8 mln euro for implementation of these TEMPUS projects in Azerbaijan by European Comission. l Only in 2011 1. 5 mln euro is to be linked for 5 TEMPUS projects.

It is supported following fields in Azerbaijan higher educational system within the framework of TEMPUS program (National priorities) Curricular reforms in Azerbaijan higher educational system - Oil and gas, electritical engineering and national aviation, ICT, teaching of EU languagies, interpretation, medical biology, national sciences, ecological and environment fields, international relations. l Management reforms - Management of university - quality assurance l

TEMPUS project and its aim l One of these TEMPUS project is Documentation for quality assurance of study programmes which aims to define and to implement an on-line documentation system for the quality assurance of study programmes in the Partner countries, consistent with the European Standarts and Guidelines for QA. l Quality - the totality of featuresand characteristics of an entity (product or service) that bears its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs. Quality is "meeting or exceeding customer expectations. " l Quality assurance - systematic monitoring and evaluation of the various aspects of a project, service or facility to maximize the probability that minimum standards of quality are being attained by the production process. Quality assurance cannot absolutely guarantee the production of quality output.

Quality Assurance: Mission Envisioned l l l l Creating quality culture Publicity Corporate culture Social responsibility Regional and international integration Enhanced research and academic standards Promoting civil society

Quality Assurance via International Projects l l l l l Curricular reforms Research Standards Structural Changes and Institutional Reforms Assessment Criteria Resources Infrastructure Bologna requirements Local and regional outreach School reforms

List of State Programs of Azerbaijan for providing of quality assurance 1. State Program for Modernization of Pre-school Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan (2007 -2010); 2. School Construction Program (2008 -2013); 3. Program for Major School Repairs (2008 -2013); 4. Program for Heating Supply to General Education Schools (2008 -2013); 5. Development Program for Provision of General Education Schools with Equipment in the Republic of Azerbaijan (2005 -2010); 6. Textbook Provision Program (2008 -2013); 7. Education System Computerization Program (2008 -2012); 8. Development Program for Arrangement of Education for Children with Special Needs (with limited physical and mental capacity) in the Republic of Azerbaijan (2005 -2010);

List of State Programs of Azerbaijan for providing of quality assurance 9. Development Program for Provision of Teaching Staff in the Network of General Education Schools During 2005 -2010; 10. State Program for Development of Creative Potential of Especially Gifted Children (youth) (2006 -2010); 11. State Program for Delivery of Children to Families by Public Children’s Institutions (de-institutionalization) and Alternative Care in the Republic of Azerbaijan (2006 -2015); 12. State Program for Chess Development in Azerbaijan Republic (2009 -2014); 13. State Program for Development of Technical and Vocational Education (20072012); 14. State Program on the Reforms of (in) Higher Education System of Azerbaijan Republic (2009 -2013); 15. State Program on the implementation of National Strategy in the development of science in 2009 -2015 in Azerbaijan Republic; 16. State Program for Sending of Azerbaijani Youth to Foreign Countries to Receive Education During 2007 -2015;

Rules for accreditation of educational institutions in Azerbaijan l l l l Approved by the Executive Order 167 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan Accreditation of educational institutions is implemented once every 5 years (every 3 years for educational institutions established by foreigners and/or persons without citizenship, foreign legal entities). Accreditation of educational institutions consists of the following stages: - preparing for accreditation; - self-assessment of education establishment; - carrying out an analysis by Accreditation Committee; - preparing a final certificate on accreditation; - determining the status of education establishment and granting a relevant quality document – certificate.

Statistical data about accreditation of higher educational institutions and colleges in Azerbaijan

İmplementation of Qualifications framework in Azerbaijan l The Council of Europe report presented at the Conference of the Ministers of Higher Education of the Bologna member states held on 4 -5 April 2010 in Vienna and Budapest reveiled that establishment of the European Qualifications Framework for Higher Education, a requirement of the Bologna process, has not been implemented in most of the member countries. Thus, it was decided to establish the framework until 2012 in all member states. l As the same time, in 28 April 2008, it was confirmed the document of the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning by EC. l It is created Working Group for Azerbaijan National Qualifications Framework according the model of Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area and the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning to the order of the Minister of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

National Qualifications framework for Azerbaijan l l l The National Qualifications Framework for Azerbaijan is a tool for systematizing national qualifications, making them more transparent and comparable. to improve communication between education and the labour market and society; to integrate with the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA) and the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning (EQF); to promote coherence of educational reforms in different sectors of education and training; to Support the diversification strategy “From Black Gold to Human Gold” through the development of new qualifications for education and training in priority sectors; to support lifelong learning through qualifications for additional education; to improve the quality assurance of qualifications; to strengthen confidence in Azerbaijani qualifications; to support recognition of Azerbaijani qualifications abroad; to promote the validation of non-formal and informal learning; to increase the mobility and competitiveness of people:

What can/must we do within the framework of this project (offers of Azerbaijan side) l l 1. creation of network among universities which are joined to this project. 2. to organize training courses, workshops or seminars for learning national legislation in the field of education for each country 3. to inform about national quality requirement 4. exchange of experiences in scientific and technological research, especially pharmatological sciences, biotechnology fields.

Henry Ford said: “Coming together is a beginning; Keeping together is progress; Working together is success”

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