The Foreign Policy of Azerbaijan has been extremely effective over the last three years; public diplomacy and education diplomacy have acquired a tremendous priority in the Government of President Ilham Aliyev, US expert in foreign affairs Peter Tase writes in the article Baku State University: Empowering Azerbaijan’s Foreign Policy And Public Diplomacy – OpEd for Eurasia Review.
An important dimension in Azerbaijan’s public diplomacy and education diplomacy is the strategic role and pragmatic education policies embodied by Baku State University; graduate and undergraduate programs that this university offers to European, national and International Students. The extensive training in Social Sciences and International Affairs conducted in Baku State University is a tangible contribution in shaping new cadres of diplomats in Azerbaijan’s Foreign Service and promoting the cultural, educational diplomacy of Azerbaijan.
Baku State University received the status of autonomy from the presidential decree of national leader Heydar Aliyev on June 13, 2000 and began to implement its operations based on this statute. As a premier public university, Baku State University offers 16 majors at the level of Undergraduate (55 bachelor’s degrees) and 153 master’s (graduate) degrees.
The foundations of an effective cultural and public diplomacy have taken shape in Baku State University, through the training of young professionals and diplomats that would represent – at some of the highest diplomatic posts in the world – the best values and assets of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Today, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Elchin Babayev as chancellor, Baku State University has attracted a large number of international students, coming from Poland, Italy, Germany and other countries. Other important fields of study are the German Literature, International Affairs, Geological Studies and Political Sciences.
Thanks to excellent academic performance, Azerbaijan is represented by a graduate of Baku State University in Buenos Aires – Argentina, Ambassador Rashad Aslanov who has provided an emblematic diplomatic service in Latin America, certainly his alma matter has played a significant role. Furthermore, Amb. Mammad Ahmadzada, appointed as the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Italy – who is also a graduate of Baku State University – has revitalized the overall public diplomacy, in his previous diplomatic posts and currently strengthened the cultural and education diplomacy of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Italy. Amb. Ahmadzada has strengthened the bilateral economic partnership of Baku with Rome.
These are two of many successful Azerbaijani diplomats that have embraced the highest standard of academic rigor at Baku State University and constantly promoted the Public Diplomacy concepts at the greatest levels.
It must be emphasized that Baku State University has over 10 linguistic labs that are equipped to train students in various foreign languages. The University library has more than 2.5 million books, and has 12 reading rooms, 5 subscription departments are systematically serving to more than 15 thousand students and academic staff.
The University is equipped with 37 scientific research and teaching labs that conduct research not only in social sciences but also in natural sciences. The Scientific Research Institute of Applied Mathematics and Scientific Research Institute of Physics Problems have more than 200 scientists, professors and scholars. The disciplines of Azerbaijani language, history and literature of Azerbaijan, genetics, nanotechnology, invention of nanomaterials, have also received a growing priority.
At the present BSU is a member of the Association of Universities of Eurasia; Association of Universities of Caspian Sea States; the Association of Universities of Black Sea States; Association of European Universities. In 2002-2004 Baku State University (BSU) led very successfully the Association of Universities of Black Sea States. The University has established bilateral agreements on scientific and technological cooperation, and teachers exchange programs with Lomonosov’s Moscow State University, Middle East Technical University, Nice-Sofia Antipole University, Indiana University, Kyiv National University, Vienna University, among others.
In conclusion, the Republic of Azerbaijan and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs have consolidated the public diplomacy strategy, and globally promoted cultural diplomacy that fosters education mobility among European Universities and preserves cultural heritage in Europe, Eurasia and beyond. To accomplish these international commitments, BSU has trained highly qualified professionals that have helped shape a new chapter in Azerbaijan’s public diplomacy, cultural diplomacy and education diplomacy.
