Three more branches of Russian universities will be opened in Azerbaijan in the near future, Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Bocharnikov said.
"These will be branches of MGIMO University Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) and Moscow State University of Humanities and Economics (MGGEU)," the ambassador said, noting that opening of the branches is planned under the road map, which was agreed by the presidents of the countries, Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, Report.az reported.
The leading expert of the North-South Political Science Center, Alexander Karavaev, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, the increase in the number of branches of leading Russian universities in Azerbaijan indicates a continuing trend, the foundation of which was laid a long time ago. "Azerbaijan has never severed educational and humanitarian ties with Russia, maintaining relations at the level of ministries of education, having quotas for its students in Russian universities. These quotas allow the Russian educational space to be constantly present in Azerbaijan. In addition, a sufficient number of Azerbaijanis entered Russian universities on a fee basis - that is, the Russian education system remains in demand in the republic," he explained.
"The plans to open branches, voiced by Bocharnikov, are not new - for example, the negotiations on the HSE branch have been going on for several years. The branch of Sechenov Moscow State Medical University was opened at the initiative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva. The cooperation on MGIMO is a special issue, since Ilham Aliyev is a graduate of MGIMO, as well as many representatives of the Azerbaijani elite. It will become an additional element of integration between our countries, which will provide Azerbaijan with an increase in human resources and stimulate the overall process of socio-economic modernization of the country," Alexander Karavayev stressed.
Political scientist Rovshan Ibrahimov also noted the success of Russia-Azerbaijan cooperation in the field of education. "First of all, this cooperation is a tribute to the deepening of global relations between Azerbaijan and Russia. I believe that other joint universities will open in Baku as well. I think that Russian universities, when opening branches in Azerbaijan, first of all, expect that there are young people living in the republic who are fluent in Russian," he said.
"The branches of MGIMO, HSE and MGGEU will additionally satisfy citizens' need for higher education. At the moment, Azerbaijan lags behind other countries in the number of specialists with higher education. It's not just about the shortage of universities, but expanding their number and diversity will increase the quality of education. Also do not forget that the population of Azerbaijan is increasing, which means that in the coming years we will need additional university places. In addition, graduates of branches will become a bridge for a further positive cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan," Rovshan Ibrahimov concluded.
The branches of Sechenov Moscow State Medical University and Lomonosov Moscow State University operate in Baku for today.
