Many students fail to pass competition to study abroad due improper command of foreign languages: Azerbaijan’s deputy education minister

Day.Az: How many Azerbaijani students study abroad currently?

Elmar Gasimov: Over 10,000 Azerbaijani students  study abroad via the government and inter-governmental channels. About 500 students receive education abroad under the relevant state program.

Azerbaijani youth study mainly in leading universities of the United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey, France, Russia, South Korea, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada and Sweden. We plan to gradually develop ties with Japan, Malaysia and other countries.

Q: Do students have to return back to Azerbaijan once they complete studies?

A: According to the state program, the candidates are required to fulfill a number of conditions. One of them is a contract under which every young man studying abroad should return home after graduation and work at the government’s appointment for 5 years.

Q: Education experts argue that young people wishing to continue their education abroad do not always meet parameters of the state program. Is it true?

A: Not all individuals may further their education abroad for several reasons. Not only high exam scores, but also knowledge of foreign language at the academic level is very important. This is a prerequisite for all candidates.

In other words, only students with high scores are eligible to participate in the contest. The candidate is required to know the language of the country he/she is going to study. Unfortunately, many students can not pass the competition because they do not have proper command of a foreign language.

Ministry of Education intends to solve this problem. The ministry will organize training courses for students to study English and German languages.

Q: With which countries Azerbaijan has intergovernmental agreements to exchange students?

A: Azerbaijan has signed Turkey, Russia, China and Egypt. Under the exchange agreement, Azerbaijani students can continue their education in universities of these countries. Students from these countries also study in Azerbaijan.

Q: Which country accounts for largest number of students in Azerbaijan?

A: Nearly 7,000 students study in Azerbaijan at the moment. Up to 1200 foreign students studied in Azerbaijan in 1999-2000 while the same number of foreign students study only in the Baku State University at present.

Vast majority of student are educated on a fee basis in the BSU, economic, medical, pedagogical universities and oil academy. Turkish citizens make up majority. But in recent years Azerbaijan has hosted students also from China, India, Russia and Pakistan.

Q: What is the reason for inflow of foreign students to Azerbaijan?

A: This points to a stable economic and political situation in Azerbaijan. The country’s image has increased in the world in recent years and young people from other countries now are more interested in Azerbaijan. Moreover, they can get majors in Azerbaijan’s colleges and universities that enjoy great popularity abroad. In particular, it concerns oil sector.

Q: Are diplomas issued by Azerbaijan to foreign students recognized back in their countries?

A: Azerbaijan has an agreement with Russia, Iran and Turkey on mutual recognition of diplomas. Now we are working to reach agreement with other countries. Relevant centers have been launched in those states with which the contracts have been signed to verify foreign diplomas and their recognition. We also operate this center.

Azerbaijan has ratified the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European region. Recognition of qualifications is carried out by internal regulations of each country on the basis of the convention.

Day.Az