In 2010, the Azerbaijan Science Foundation was established. Various grant projects are financed within the framework of the Foundation.
It is interesting to know what contributions these grant projects make to education. Overall, what is the role and significance of the aforementioned foundation in the field of education?
Deputy Jeyhun Mammadov spoke to AzEdu.az on the topic.ə
Our interviewee noted that today the foundation allocates financial resources to a number of projects, provides grants, and implements real measures to stimulate the activities of scientists:
"Firstly, it should be noted that we have generally witnessed Mr. President extensively discussing the importance our state attaches to education and the reforms implemented in this field, both in his interviews and in his recent statements to the local media. Mr. President spoke in detail here about the unity of science and education, and their mutual connection.
It is known that in recent years, great attention has been paid to education at the state level, and new opportunities are being created in this field under the leadership of Mr. President. Today, the education budget is one of the areas to which the most funds are allocated. With the aim of contributing to the development of science in Azerbaijan, financing various projects, and stimulating the scientific activities of scientists, the Azerbaijan Science Foundation was established in 2010 by a Decree of the President".
The Foundation bears great responsibility and high expectations:
"As we noted, the Foundation allocates grants for scientists' research work and actively participates in financing their studies. In this sense, the Foundation bears great responsibility, and expectations from it are quite high. Today, the Foundation allocates financial resources to a number of projects, provides grants, and implements real measures to stimulate the activities of scientists.
This, in turn, is a clear example of the great attention Mr. President pays to education and science. We clearly see this in the expansion of the structure of the Ministry of Science and Education, the formation of new mechanisms in the field of education, the establishment of the Education Student Loan Fund, and other steps. The main goal and objective is to contribute to the development of science and the increase of its potential, and I believe that these projects, in general, contribute to Azerbaijani education and will continue to do so in the future".
According to Ilgar Orujov, Chairman of the Society of Young Scientists, Doctoral Students, and Masters, Doctor of Philosophy, within the framework of the Azerbaijan Science Foundation's grant projects, modern laboratory equipment, devices, and the renewal of various material and technical bases are ensured in higher education institutions:
"The Azerbaijan Science Foundation, established on the basis of President Ilham Aliyev's Decree and personal initiative, plays a strategic role not only in the development of science in the country but also in the modernization of the higher education system and the formation of a research-oriented education model. The Foundation's grant projects provide significant direct and indirect contributions to the field of education.
I can express my thoughts on these contributions as follows. First and foremost, it is necessary to note the assurance of the integration of science and education. In this direction, the Foundation's activities serve to realize cooperation between academic institutions and higher education institutions. It can be particularly emphasized that grant competitions aimed at science-education integration enable the stimulation and strengthening of the scientific potential of higher education institutions, i.e., universities, and the provision of financial support for conducting fundamental research".
One of the key aspects of the Foundation's activities that draws attention is the implementation of special grant projects for young scientists:
"At the same time, within the framework of the Foundation's grant projects, modern laboratory equipment, devices, and the renewal of various material and technical bases are ensured in higher education institutions. This, I believe, creates conditions for the formation of both a research environment and opportunities for obtaining quality higher education.
One of the key aspects of the Foundation's activities that draws attention is the implementation of special grant projects for young scientists. Supporting the scientific ideas of young scientists and researchers constitutes one of the main directions of the Foundation's activities. Within the framework of these projects, young scientists and specialists gain experience abroad, participate in international conferences, and carry out activities related to scientific publications, which means not only professional development but also the strengthening of motivation".
The Azerbaijan Science Foundation does not merely act as a donor providing financial support in the field of education:
"With the support of the Foundation, the development of modern curricula for higher education institutions, the renewal of program content, and the preparation of teaching materials are also carried out, which are extremely important aspects. One of the interesting points in the Foundation's activities is ensuring the connection of universities to international scientific networks within the framework of joint grant competitions. This serves the application and promotion of international standards in the field of education, as well as the creation of joint research programs.
I believe that the Azerbaijan Science Foundation does not merely act as a donor providing financial support in the field of education. It also functions as one of the main driving forces in the implementation of the research university concept. The continuation of this functionality in accordance with the main objectives of the Foundation's establishment and its statutory requirements is of extremely great importance for the formation of a competitive environment among the Azerbaijani scientific community and the research institutes of higher education institutions, and for the conduct of quality scientific research".
