On September 7, Shamakhi hosted the "48 hours of mentor" Bootcamp event, which was launched to transition to the "Mentoring Specialization Program", and which is the next component of the “Skills for the Future” project implemented by the "Innovation Center" of the State Agency for Citizen Services and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
First, an exhibition of education startups was viewed. At the opening of the Bootcamp was spoken by the Chairman of the State Agency for Citizen Services and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ulvi Mehdiyev, Deputy Minister of Education Firudin Gurbanov, Head of Shamakhi District Executive Power Tahir Mammadov.
It was noted that the "Skills for the Future" project, launched in April 2021, aims to increase human resources in the field of innovation, support innovation in education, support students in the educational process to develop innovative ideas. The project consists of two components, including a mentoring program to train teachers as mentors in universities and an incubation program to train students as startups with the participation of mentors.
The event spoke about the further strengthening, ensuring joint activities with our country of Azerbaijanis working in the field of innovative technologies in different countries of the world, and especially about the creation of "Innovation Center" and “TECH Diaspora”, which provide a wide opportunity in the development of startups. In addition, information was provided about the work done and the upcoming one, about the successful cooperation with the participating companies in the field of innovations related to the further development of the "INNOLAND" Incubation and Acceleration Center.
After the speeches, panel discussions on "Innovation and education: a new way of development" was held. The discussions were attended by Rector of Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Professor Mustafa Babanli, Rector of Baku Engineering University Khavar Mammadov, Rector of Azerbaijan State University of Economics Adalat Muradov, Rector of Azerbaijan Technical University Vilayat Valiyev, Rector of Ganja State University Yusif Yusibov, Vice-rector of Azerbaijan State Agricultural University Anar Hatamov.
During the Bootcamp, attendees watched the documentary “Inside Bill's Brain” about the childhood of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, his career, and his desire to improve the lives of people in developing countries.
The event will continue on September 8. On the second day, a meeting with Jeyhun Salmanov, Deputy Chairman of the State Agency for Citizen Services and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, trainings on “Mentoring, Techniques, and Mechanisms”, “From Idea to Innovation”, EduTech panel discussion and a tour to Shamakhi Safari Park are envisaged. 5 ASOIU teachers participate in the Bootcamp as mentors.
