Emin Amrullayev

Emin Amrullayev, the Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, has emerged as a pivotal figure in modernizing the nation’s education system. Born on December 30, 1982, in Baku, he combines academic expertise with practical experience aimed at enhancing the quality of education and aligning Azerbaijan with global educational standards. Emin Amrullayev’s biography reflects a journey from a student to a leader of reforms, emphasizing the development of human capital through innovative initiatives.

Emin Amrullayev’s educational background laid the foundation for his professional trajectory. From 1999 to 2003, he graduated with distinction from the Faculty of Administrative Management at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Azerbaijan. He pursued a master’s degree in Political Science at the Central European University from 2003 to 2004. Between 2010 and 2012, Amrullayev earned a second master’s degree in Administrative Management from Columbia University through Azerbaijan’s state program for overseas education and a Fulbright scholarship. These milestones shaped his expertise in public administration, international relations, and educational policy.

Emin Amrullayev’s career began in academia. From 2005 to 2009, he taught at the Faculty of International Relations at Caucasus University. In 2009–2010, he served as Head of the International Relations Department at Kaspi Education Company. In 2011, he completed an internship in Geneva with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Starting in 2012, Amrullayev transitioned to public service, becoming the Executive Director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Diplomatic Academy of Azerbaijan (now ADA University). By 2013, he returned to the education sector as a senior consultant in the Ministry of Education, later leading the Quality Assurance Sector, the Department of Development Programs, and, from 2015 to 2020, overseeing the development of educational initiatives.

The pinnacle of his career came with his appointment as Minister of Education on July 27, 2020, by decree of President Ilham Aliyev. In 2022, following a ministry reorganization, he became the Minister of Science and Education. Concurrently, Amrullayev is active in sports, serving as President of the Azerbaijan Basketball Federation since 2021 and a member of the Supervisory Board of PFC Neftchi since 2022.

Emin Amrullayev’s achievements in Azerbaijan’s education system are notable for their scope and impact. Under his leadership, the “Community-Based Preschool Education Development” project (2017), supported by UNICEF, the EU, and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, was launched. By 2023, it covered 843 groups in schools, providing places for 14,789 children aged 3–4. The “Reserve Textbook” project (2017) resulted in the publication of millions of copies of 318 textbooks on key subjects, including Azerbaijani language, mathematics, and English, with input from Singaporean experts.

Amrullayev has prioritized innovation: the “STEAM Azerbaijan” project (2019) was implemented in 318 schools and 23 centers, engaging 135,000 students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The “Digital Skills” initiative (2017) reached 410,000 students across 532 institutions. In vocational education, 124 classes were established in 80 schools for 2,164 students, focusing on STEAM and labor market-oriented modules. Amrullayev also strengthened support for gifted students, with Azerbaijani schoolchildren winning 29 medals at international olympiads in 2022–2023.

Recent reforms underscore his commitment to quality. In September 2025, Amrullayev criticized the “History of Azerbaijan” textbook for its complex language, urging simplification to make it accessible to students. He emphasized that quality education requires investment, highlighting human capital development. Amrullayev has also tackled fraudulent diplomas, declaring non-recognition of illegitimate documents. International cooperation is expanding: diplomas from two Azerbaijani vocational institutions are now recognized in Türkiye, and partnerships with Ankara are deepening.

Emin Amrullayev embodies the transformation of Azerbaijan’s education system, blending tradition with global trends. His vision focuses on the future, from digitalization to preparing for 21st-century challenges, ensuring the nation’s competitiveness.