The Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication of the Republic of Azerbaijan (CAERC) held a public discussion on “Economic reforms in Azerbaijan: Achievements and prospects” at Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University. Rector of ASOIU, Professor Mustafa Babanli greeted the attendees, providing brief information on the activities being carried out at the university. He noted that renaming the university as Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University in 2015 has set out ambitious tasks in training of highly qualified staff for the oil and non-oil sector. Rector M. Babanli stressed that the primary objective of ASOIU is to train competitive highly specialized staff, able to meet the needs of the developing Azerbaijani economy, as well as for the global labor market. Saying these activities are conducted in line with the declaration of the Head of state Mr. Ilham Aliyev about the transformation of the oil capital into the human capital, Rector M. Babanli informed that ASOIU implements education based on the synthesis of training, science and innovations. According to the Rector, they are currently working on the last stages of bringing several projects realized by the students of the ASOIU “eazi START” Startup and Innovation Center into the market under Made in Azerbaijan brand. He expressed ASOIU's interest in the cooperation with the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication of the Republic of Azerbaijan in this area. He also added that the recently obtained agreement for the industrial internship of ASOIU students at the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication opens additional opportunities for strengthening the cooperation between the university and the structure. Speaking about the public lecture, Rector M. Babanli emphasized the significance of campaigns aimed at informing today's students - future specialists about the reforms being conducted in the country and invited the students to be more active.
Executive Director of CAERC Vusal Gasimli informed in his public lecture that as a result of economic reforms Azerbaijan not only survived the crisis but also ranked high in the rankings of the World Bank and World Economic Forum, becoming one of the three reformer countries in Europe and Central Asia: “Reforms are not only limited to improvement of legislation and establishment of new institutes. The realization is crucial as well. Participation of young skilled and patriotic specialists is important during the implementation of reforms. The labor market should be adapted to development prospect of economy and diversification policy.” V. Gasimli also mentioned the significance of awareness of young professionals and academic staff members of the reforms in the formation of public opinion: “Our universities should take an active part in both promotion and generation of reforms.”
At the end of the event, internship of students of Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University at the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication and cooperation in this field were agreed upon.
Notably, the aim of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication in the organization of such meetings at leading universities of Azerbaijan is to implement awareness-raising activities regarding economic reforms, provide the academic staff members and students with more reliable information on reforms and find out their thoughts about this process.
In conclusion, Executive Director of CAERC V. Gasimli answered the questions of participants.
