Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AR)

Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AR)

The Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan (hereinafter — the Ministry of Science and Education, Ministry of Education and Science of AR) is the central body of state administration in the field of science, education and scientific-technical policy of the country. Founded in 1993 after Azerbaijan declared independence, the Ministry of Science and Education develops and implements national strategies, programs and regulations aimed at developing quality general, vocational, higher and postgraduate education, as well as supporting scientific research and innovative projects. Research institutes, universities and continuing education organizations throughout the republic are subordinate to the Minister of Science and Education.

History of creation and key stages of development

The idea of creating a unified structure responsible for education and science in Azerbaijan emerged shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Until 1993, upbringing, education and research were subordinated to various departments: the USSR Ministry of Education and the USSR Academy of Sciences. On May 23, 1993, a Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan was issued, which ordered the creation of the Ministry of Public Education and the Ministry of Higher and Postgraduate Education. In 2000, these departments were merged into a single body — the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 2006, as a result of another reorganization, the name of the ministry was changed to the Ministry of Education, and then, in 2014, the institution received its modern name "Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan," which emphasized the priority importance of scientific potential in the state's development strategy.

The current stage in the history of the Ministry of Science and Education is associated with the implementation of national initiatives "Development 2020" and "Strategy of Actions for the period 2019-2023," aimed at introducing Bologna principles into the higher education system, digitalization of educational processes, and development of the science and innovation system. Over the past five years, the Ministry of Education and Science of AR has adopted more than 20 regulatory acts governing the activities of universities, research institutes and educational centers, which has increased the competitiveness of the Azerbaijani diploma in the international labor market and increased the number of publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Main functions and tasks of the Ministry of Science and Education

1. Development of educational standards and regulatory documents. The Ministry establishes mandatory requirements for educational programs at all levels: preschool, general secondary, primary, basic, secondary vocational, higher, postgraduate. The regulatory framework includes the State Educational Standards of Azerbaijan (SES AR), rules for accreditation of educational institutions, and methodological recommendations for updating curricula.

2. Management of the network of educational institutions. The Ministry of Education and Science of AR oversees the work of more than 4,500 general education schools, 35 gymnasiums with in-depth study of foreign languages, 60 colleges and vocational schools, 65 state universities and academies, as well as several dozen non-state universities licensed in accordance with legislation.

3. Support for research institutes. Under the jurisdiction of the Ministry are the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANA); Institute of Information Technologies, Institute of Physics and Technology, Institute of Oil and Gas, Institute of Oriental Studies, Institute of Psychology and Pedagogy, and other specialized institutes that provide fundamental and applied research in key sectors of the economy and social sphere.