Parviz Bagirov: “The total budget of the projects is nearly 20 million manat, and their suspension will have a significant impact on Azerbaijan's higher education sector and international cooperation.”

All projects under the "Erasmus+" program, known for supporting education by the European Union, have been informally suspended in Azerbaijan. No new projects are being registered, and the implementation of active programs is being hindered.

This information was shared by Parviz Bagirov, the head of Azerbaijan’s National "Erasmus+" Office, on his Facebook account. He stated that there has been no progress regarding hundreds of "ICM" student and faculty exchanges, Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) projects, "Jean Monnet" initiatives, and other projects.

“Due to the current situation, the National "Erasmus+" Office is also on the verge of being closed. This could have a significant impact on the future implementation of the program and could obstruct the sustainability of "Erasmus+" projects in our country. Hundreds of projects have been implemented within the framework of "Erasmus+" over the years, and thousands of students and faculty have studied and gained experience at prestigious European universities. Our universities have joined modern innovative projects, and significant partnerships have been established in the fields of science and education,” Parviz Bagirov emphasized.

He added that the suspension of 27 projects with a total budget of nearly 20 million manat will have serious negative consequences for Azerbaijan's higher education sector and international cooperation.

• Enhancing Research Potential – Projects aimed at expanding research opportunities and promoting innovative approaches at Azerbaijani universities.

• Development of a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem – Projects aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, supporting startups, and improving business skills among young people at universities.

• Green Energy and Climate Change – Projects focused on integrating new approaches related to alternative energy sources and climate change into the curriculum.

• Energy Efficiency and Mutual Cooperation – Projects supporting global energy efficiency initiatives and aimed at increasing knowledge in relevant fields at local universities.

• Open Science and Digital Transformation – Initiatives to help universities implement the concept of open science and integrate digital tools into the academic environment.

Parviz Bagirov stated that 32 Azerbaijani higher education institutions participate in "Erasmus+" projects. He added that the academic cooperation formed between these institutions and European universities through these projects might be severely affected if the process stops.

“This situation arises from the uncertainty regarding the official implementation of the program in Azerbaijan, and unfortunately, there is currently no concrete solution in sight. All relevant authorities have been informed about the issue, and efforts are being made to find a solution,” he added.

Parviz Bagirov emphasized that thanks to "Erasmus+", the integration of Azerbaijan’s higher education system into the European education space has accelerated, and new knowledge and skills have been brought to Azerbaijan. Modern scientific laboratories have been established at many universities through these projects, the application of new technologies has become possible, and research opportunities have been expanded.