Baku State University is dedicated to promoting gender equality and ensuring that women have equal opportunities to apply, be accepted, and participate fully in academic life. This plan outlines key strategies to enhance women's access and engagement at our university. Baku State University actively encourages women to apply for programs where they are traditionally underrepresented, such as STEM fields. We offer targeted outreach programs, workshops, and events to inspire and support female students in pursuing these disciplines.

Objectives

• Increase Women's Applications: Encourage more women to apply to undergraduate and postgraduate programs, especially in underrepresented fields.

• Improve Acceptance Rates: Enhance the acceptance rates of female applicants through targeted efforts.

• Boost Participation and Retention: Support female students in their academic and extracurricular pursuits to ensure retention and success.

Outreach and Recruitment

• Targeted Outreach: Partner with schools and community organizations to promote higher education opportunities for women.

• Scholarships: Offer scholarships for women, particularly in STEM fields and other areas with low female representation.

Admissions and Acceptance

• Holistic Admissions: Implement a holistic admissions process for international students that considers diverse criteria beyond academic achievements.

• Bias Training: Provide bias training for admissions staff to ensure fair and equitable decision-making.

Academic Support and Retention

• Mentorship: Establish mentorship programs linking female students with faculty and professional mentors.

• Academic Support: Provide tailored academic support services to address specific challenges faced by women.

• Flexible Options: Offer flexible learning options, such as online courses, to accommodate diverse needs.

Campus Culture and Participation

• Inclusive Curriculum: Ensure that curricula reflect diverse perspectives and include contributions from women scholars.

• Extracurricular Engagement: Promote gender-inclusive practices in clubs, societies, and leadership roles.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Data Analysis: Collect and analyze data on women's applications, acceptance, and retention to identify trends.

• Feedback: Implement surveys and focus groups to gather input from female students.

• Reporting: Provide regular progress reports on achieving plan objectives.

Partnerships and Collaboration

• External Partnerships: Collaborate with women's advocacy groups and industry partners for enhanced opportunities.

• Internal Collaboration: Work with faculty, staff, and student organizations to promote a cohesive approach.

Mentorship Opportunities:

• Various departments offer mentorship opportunities where female students can receive guidance from faculty members, including female professors and researchers.

• The university plans to introduce a structured women's mentoring scheme, targeting at least 10% participation from female students.