International Collaboration Highlights Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Erasmus+ KA2 Program Supports IQAinAP Study Visit at Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University
Baku, Azerbaijan – October 6, 2023
The Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University (ASPU) hosted a dynamic week-long conference and study visit from October 2–6, as part of the Erasmus+ KA2-funded project, Internal Quality Assurance in Azerbaijan Project (IQAinAP). The initiative brought together academic and administrative leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss advancements and challenges in quality assurance within higher education institutions (HEIs) in Azerbaijan.
The event commenced with a formal welcome dinner on October 2, fostering networking and collaboration among participants from diverse institutions. The highlight of the program unfolded on October 3 during a conference attended by representatives from the Ministry of Science and Education, the National Erasmus+ Office, and international guests.
Key speeches during the opening ceremony included remarks from:
- Prof. Jafar Jafarov, Rector of ASPU, who emphasized the university’s commitment to fostering academic excellence through partnerships.
- Parviz Baghirov, Head of the National Erasmus+ Office, who underlined the importance of international collaboration in building robust quality assurance systems.
- Maggie Feng from Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences (WUAS), who presented successful case studies from European HEIs.
- Representatives from the Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and other stakeholders, who shared insights on addressing local challenges in quality assurance.
Discussions revolved around the outcomes of Work Package 1 (WP1), examining the needs and gaps in quality assurance systems across Azerbaijani HEIs. This laid the groundwork for strategic planning and development of future work packages.
Study Visit and Collaborative Sessions
Throughout the week, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the next steps in the IQAinAP project, with focus areas including:
- WP2: Enhancing cooperation with new partners and planning a study visit to Murcia, Spain.
- WP3: Developing training materials and methodologies for quality assurance.
- WP4: Finalizing outputs, closing remarks, and distributing certificates to participants.
The program also featured a cultural exploration with a tour of Baku’s Old City, offering international participants a glimpse into Azerbaijan’s rich history and heritage.
Impact and Future Outlook
This collaborative effort aims to establish a strong foundation for quality assurance in Azerbaijani higher education, leveraging international expertise and partnerships. "The outcomes of this visit are pivotal in shaping the future of academic quality and ensuring that Azerbaijani universities align with international standards," remarked Rauf Abdul of WUAS during his closing speech.
The study visit concluded with a certificate ceremony on October 6, followed by participant departures on October 7.
Contact Information
For more details about the project, please contact:
Gunay Maharramova
Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University
Email: gunay.maharramova@adpu.edu.az
Phone: +994 12 498 95 46
This initiative is part of the broader mission of the Erasmus+ KA2 program to foster innovation and excellence in education through international collaboration.
