Rector of the Netherlands Business Academy, Professor Jan van Zvieten and Director of the Romanian Language and Cultural Center in Azerbaijan, Doctor of Philosophy Iosefina Blazsani-Batto have visited Baku Engineering University (BEU). They met with BEU Vice-Rector for International Relations, Associate Professor Manafaddin Namazov and Head of International Relations and Project Management Arif Najimov.

Associate Professor M.Namazov spoke about the international relations of BEU, the University's participation in foreign projects and programs. He noted the possibility of establishing a consortium with the Netherlands Business Academy, the Romanian Language and Cultural Center in Azerbaijan, as well as European higher education institutions operating in the relevant field. The Vice-Rector noted that 75% of education at BEU was in English, and work was underway to update engineering specialties.

Professor Jan van Zvieten gave information about the structure of the educational institution, foreign students, as well as the student-teaching staff. He said that the Academy had master's degree, MBA programs, academic courses as well as international programs in finance, business and management. Speaking about the international relations of the organization he represented, the guest touched upon the issues of cooperation with Western European universities. He said they were interested in implementing joint projects in cooperation with BEU.

A.Najimov, Head of International Relations and Project Management Department, said that there were opportunities such as development of a dual degree program between BEU and Netherlands Business Academy, cooperation in the field of professional development of scientific and pedagogical staff and the European Commission's Erasmus + KA1 (student and teacher) exchange programme in a number of other areas, development of joint projects.

During the discussions with the director of the Romanian Language and Cultural Center in Azerbaijan, Doctor of Philosophy Iosefina Blazsani-Batto, it was stated that 4 BEU students participated in the project "Pollution and Environmental Protection" in Germany (December 2-12, 2019) under the leadership of the center within the Erasmus + programme. The aim of the project was to raise awareness among young people about nature, ecology, recycling and environmental pollution. The issues of environmental pollution and how they affected the environment were touched upon, and a lot of useful knowledge and experience was gained through interactive seminars and presentations using non-traditional teaching methods.

At the end of the meeting, a cooperation agreement was signed between BEU and the Netherlands Business Academy.

The main purpose of signing the agreement is to improve the quality of research and teaching, mutual cooperation in scientific, academic and cultural fields by establishing international cooperation.

The document envisages the presentation of joint and dual degree programs within the international consortium, joint research and innovation project activities, participation in national and international research programs and projects, organization of joint international conferences and forums. Exchange and professional training of students, scientific, academic and administrative staff, publication of various research articles in local and international journals, introduction of joint programs to the labor and company markets, exchange of experience in quality improvement processes, all possible and legal activities to improve education quality between partners reflected in the agreement.

With the signing of the agreement, it was agreed to provide bilateral and trilateral dual degree programs, as well as the development of the Erasmus + KA2 programme. Moreover, the Netherlands Business Academy will act as a hub among BEU and Dutch universities, which are included in the list of top 500 universities.

Public Relations Department