BEU-BUCT Joint Faculty: What Opportunities Await Students? - VIDEO

Admission is being carried out for the first time this year at the Faculty of Engineering jointly established by Baku Engineering University (BEU) and Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT). In an interview with AZERTAC, BEU Vice-Rector, Professor Atraba Gul spoke about the advantages of the new faculty, the opportunities it will offer students, its distinguishing features from other dual-degree programs, and its goals. We present the interview.

- This year, for the first time, admission is being carried out at the Faculty of Engineering jointly established by Baku Engineering University and Beijing University of Chemical Technology. What is behind the establishment of the new faculty?

Baku Engineering University's choice of Beijing University of Chemical Technology, one of China's leading higher education institutions, as a partner, and the establishment of the joint Faculty of Engineering, is not a coincidental decision. This initiative is the logical result of the relations between Azerbaijan and China, which have risen to the level of strategic partnership in recent years, particularly the deepening cooperation in science, technology, and higher education. Today, the world is experiencing global transformation processes such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, green technologies, Industry 4.0, and now Industry 5.0. In such a period, one of the main factors determining countries' competitive advantage is the formation of highly qualified human capital. For this reason, training engineers who meet international standards and possess innovative thinking and global competencies is no longer a choice, but a strategic necessity.

Strengthening human capital, developing the knowledge economy, expanding the innovation ecosystem, applying high technologies, and digital transformation are among the priorities of the development strategy being carried out under the leadership of the President of Azerbaijan. These priorities have also set new tasks for higher education. Baku Engineering University, aligning its activities with these priorities, is expanding its international academic partnership ties, developing a modern model of engineering training, and carrying out initiatives that serve the country's technological development.

-  What opportunities will the newly established Faculty of Engineering offer students?

This faculty will contribute to the strategic measures being carried out for our country's development by transferring China's advanced engineering experience, modern teaching methodologies, research tradition, innovation culture, and technology transfer opportunities to Azerbaijan.

At the same time, students will receive education in line with international standards, gain competencies that meet the demands of global industry, and directly benefit from the experience of one of the world's leading manufacturing and technology ecosystems. This faculty will create broad opportunities for our students to receive engineering education in line with international standards, benefit from the experience of advanced scientific schools, acquire practical knowledge and skills in modern laboratories, participate in academic and scientific exchange programs, and develop into competitive engineers in the global labor market.

- What features distinguish this faculty from other dual-degree programs?

The main feature that distinguishes the BUCT-BEU Faculty of Engineering is that it is not simply a dual-degree program, but an independent academic faculty jointly established by two universities. Here, teaching is carried out through quality assurance mechanisms, and academic management is based on the principles of international cooperation.

Another important difference is that the program is carried out under a 3+1 model. While students receive the greater part of their education in Azerbaijan, they continue their final year at BUCT, gaining experience in an international academic and industrial environment. Students who achieve high academic performance also have the opportunity to continue their studies at BUCT on a scholarship basis. The specialties within the faculty were selected based on various criteria. The selection was made taking into account the current and prospective demand of the labor market, industry and innovation development priorities, as well as BUCT's strong academic directions.

We believe these specialties will contribute to strategic fields important for our country's development and to meeting the demand for highly qualified specialists in those fields.

- What are the main goals and plans of the BUCT-BEU Faculty of Engineering for the coming years?

Our main goal in establishing the Faculty of Engineering is to become one of the region's leading centers of engineering education. Our aim is to train engineers who possess multidisciplinary knowledge and skills, are familiar with the world's advanced technologies, are capable of applying them, and lead innovation. Alongside this, we have set the goal of making a greater contribution to Azerbaijan's scientific and technological development.

Among our plans are the launch of new engineering programs, increasing joint research projects and academic exchange opportunities, further strengthening the modern laboratory base, expanding industrial partnerships, and encouraging students' participation in international projects.

Our partner, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, is a higher education institution with internationally recognized scientific and research potential in the aforementioned fields. We believe this cooperation will yield even broader results in the future.