Question:

Mr. President, as a continuation of this topic, the strength of the state and the nation is also ensured by science and education. Several years ago, you put forward the concept of a knowledgeable nation and transforming “black gold” into human capital. How do you assess the current situation in the field of science and education in Azerbaijan? What steps should be taken? What recommendations would you give to young people in this regard?

President Ilham Aliyev:

As you know, we have already carried out structural changes and established the Ministry of Science and Education. Why was this done? Because, in fact, science had remained outside state structures. The Academy of Sciences, of course, has been operating for many years, and I have participated in its anniversary events. However, at the same time, in order to implement state policy more comprehensively, science and education must be united. We are aware of the experience of developed countries. There, science develops mainly in conjunction with higher education institutions or within their framework, and we have chosen this model as well. Currently, structural reforms are underway. Many research institutes are being merged with each other. Alongside structural reforms, personnel reforms are also being implemented, with more modern and younger staff being promoted. It is not difficult to identify quality indicators here—this is well established in global practice. The question is: in which scientific journals and periodicals have your research works been published, and to what extent your scientific potential corresponds to today’s realities. If we truly want to develop science, not merely provide employment for scientific workers, then we must pursue these reforms. This is inevitable. If we do not do this, development will inevitably face certain limitations. I have said this many times, and I will say it again consciously: the development of advanced countries is linked only to intellect, reason, education, and science—not to oil and gas. Look at the condition of oil- and gas-rich countries and that of developed countries. Yes, among oil- and gas-rich countries, there are some successful ones—not many, but they exist. Where do their technologies come from? Do they invent them themselves? No, they come from think tanks and technological centers. And what is that connected with? Education and science. It is a simple matter. Therefore, we must work actively in this direction.

Over the past 20 years, 10  new higher education institutions have been established in Azerbaijan—several of them jointly with foreign partners. For example, two with Russia, one with France, one with Turkey, and one with Italy—five in total. The rest were established by us, including Khankendi University. This reflects the intention and policy of the state. Improving the quality of education, enhancing teachers’ social welfare and professionalism, the testing system, and so on—all these factors pursue one goal: to ensure that society is educated and knowledgeable. Only then can we achieve long-term development. Otherwise, after our oil and gas resources are exhausted, we may face very serious difficulties. Today, we must try to see the future of our people and our state decades and centuries ahead. Therefore, this is an extremely important field, and I hope that the reforms being carried out will yield good results. We have many talented young people.

Today, we have many young specialists who have received education both abroad and in Azerbaijan. Various state programs are being implemented, one of which is the “Yüksəliş” (Ascension) program. This program is very important for motivating and encouraging young people and subsequently attracting them to state and private structures. Those who studied abroad at my instruction have long since returned. Many have returned and are working here, and we see that when modern and knowledgeable personnel come to leadership positions, the situation changes completely. I have been in this position for 22 years. All these developments have taken place before my eyes, and I possess both positive and negative experiences. I have lived through all of it, and that allows me to say these words today. Personnel reform, science and education, and the overall intellectual level of society, because without these, only rarely can a talented individual emerge. When the general intellectual and knowledge level of society is high, then, as they say, entire constellations of talented individuals are formed. Of course, we all wish only good days for our country, and your question is very timely. This is a topic for a separate and extensive discussion. However, I believe that we are on the right path and that the reforms will continue.