Turkey-Azerbaijan University marks 1 year since its establishment.
Today marks 1 year since the establishment of Turkey-Azerbaijan University (TAU), which began its operations in partnership with Middle East Technical University, Istanbul Technical University, Hacettepe University and Azerbaijan Technical University. The “Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Council of Higher Education of the Republic of Turkey on the Establishment of Turkey-Azerbaijan University (TAU)” was signed in Ankara on February 19, 2024. On this occasion, Mehmet Şimşir, Vice-Rector of Turkey-Azerbaijan University, gave an interview to AZERTAC about the purpose and educational process of TAU.
We present the interview.
- What are the distinguishing features of Turkey-Azerbaijan University in the Azerbaijani education system?
- Turkey-Azerbaijan University is a university established by the common consensus of the heads of state of both countries in order to bring the field of education to the highest level, as in other fields. Turkey-Azerbaijan University has a very different structure from other universities as a model. Turkey-Azerbaijan University performs the function of an “umbrella university”. Thus, this higher education institution was established in partnership with 3 universities in Turkey (Middle East Technical University, Istanbul Technical University, Hacettepe University) and one university in Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan Technical University). In this sense, we are essentially a joint university. “Umbrella university” means that the specialties taught in Turkish universities are taught here as well. For example, the program of the Computer Engineering Faculty of Middle East Technical University is applied here as well. The program of the Industrial Engineering Faculty of Istanbul Technical University is taught in the same manner in the industrial engineering specialty. The classes of the Food Engineering Faculty of Hacettepe University are taught to students in the food engineering specialty of TAU. Teachers from Turkey teach here. Just as the teachers of the Computer Engineering Faculty of Middle East Technical University teach in Turkey, they also teach in Azerbaijan. Similarly, the teachers of the Industrial Engineering Faculty of Istanbul Technical University come here and give lectures. Professors of the Food Engineering Faculty of Hacettepe University also come here to give lectures. Therefore, in this respect, the Turkey-Azerbaijan University model is being implemented for the first time in the world. This is our difference from other universities. That is, we bring the best universities of Turkey to Azerbaijan and unite them in the Turkey-Azerbaijan University.
- What can you say about the educational process at TAU?
- Education here is 100 percent in English. We must accept that in order for the quality of education to be high, education should be in English, as a language accepted worldwide. Our students are admitted according to the examination rules of the State Examination Center of Azerbaijan. Then they take a level exam in English. If they score the required score, they start studying from the first year. Students who do not succeed in the level exam continue with preparatory classes in English. This preparatory program lasts for one year. It starts in the fall semester and ends in the spring semester. Then, students who are tested in the English language proficiency exam and successfully pass that exam continue to the first year. With the exception of the preparatory course, our education is four years. Currently, there are first-year students studying in the computer engineering specialty. We also have a first year in the food engineering specialty. But the first year in the industrial engineering specialty has not been opened. Our students who are admitted to that specialty are in the preparatory course.
- What other specialties are planned to be opened at the Turkey-Azerbaijan University?
- The currently existing specialties are computer engineering, industrial engineering and food engineering. These specialties are opened in accordance with the decisions of our Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees is headed by the Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev from Azerbaijan. The Chairman of the Council of Higher Education Erol Özvar from Turkey. We submit our proposals to the Board of Trustees. Their decisions are determined as a result of discussions. Therefore, it is a bit early to talk about what other specialties will be opened at the Turkey-Azerbaijan University.
- A student visit to Turkey was organized in November. Will such visits continue?
- As you know, the COP29 event was held in Azerbaijan in November. We actually considered it an opportunity. Because education in Azerbaijan was conducted in an online format. We said that we should take our students to Turkey and visit Hacettepe University, Middle East Technical University, Istanbul Technical University. Let them get acquainted with the teachers there. Let the students get acquainted with the young people studying in Turkey and communicate. My wish is that if the conditions arise, we should take our students admitted to this university to Turkey every year.
- Will there be any changes in the admission procedures of the Turkey-Azerbaijan University?
Currently, admission to the Turkey-Azerbaijan University is carried out according to the rules of the State Examination Center. Last year, we set the base scores for computer engineers as 500 points, and for industrial and food engineers as 450 points. However, all of our admitted students scored very high. The passing score for computer engineering was 641. This is much higher than the base score we set - 500. The passing score in industrial engineering was 544, and in food engineering it was 453. It is obvious that educated students choose us. They trust the education system of our university and us. This shows that they trust the education system of the Turkey-Azerbaijan University, which was created from the brotherhood of the two states. We are trying to be worthy of them. TAU will be an international university in the future. Consistent steps are being taken in this direction.
03 February 2025
