REPORT ON SDG 4: QUALITY EDUCATION

Baku State University (BSU), the largest and oldest university in Azerbaijan, is dedicated to promoting quality education and inclusivity. The university provides extensive resources, including libraries, TV studios, museums, and research centers. BSU collaborates with various academic institutions, fostering intellectual exchange and knowledge dissemination. The university also engages in volunteerism and outreach activities, contributing to the community. However, there is a need for executive education programs. BSU upholds policies against discrimination and promotes equality, ensuring accessibility to all, regardless of individual characteristics. In summary, BSU plays a significant role in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Azerbaijan.

Baku State University has been institutionally accredited for a period of 5 (five) years by the decision of the Accreditation Council of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated June 8, 2023, and the corresponding order of the Chairperson of the Management Board of the Education Quality Assurance Agency (TKTA).

Additionally, the Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (IQAA) accredited 6 graduate programmes (Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Chemistry of High Molecular Compounds, Petrochemistry) of Baku State University. According to the decision of the Accreditation Council of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated September 20, 2023, and the corresponding order of the Chairman of the Management Board of the Agency for Quality Assurance in Education, the results of international program accreditations were officially recognized for state accreditation.

Quality Assurance Center, including two Units (Monitoring, Analyze and Accreditation Unit and Training, Methodological Support and Development Unit), were established with the decision of Scientific Council in July, 2023, and the respective Center is responsible for two directions: enhancement (providing training and methodological support for academic and administrative staff regarding quality assurance) and accountability (monitoring, and organizing local (institutional and programme accreditation) and international (programme accreditation) accreditation with the coordination of the respective structures and faculties.

The SDGs are currently the focus of a number of structured trainings or educational programs at BSU. Parallel to this, various SDG-related subjects, such "Introduction to Gender," "Sustainable Development Goals in Azerbaijan," "Green" and "Blue" Economy," "Food Security and Sustainable Development," "Urbanization and Urban Planning," etc., are covered in the pertinent academic programs.

Beginning with the 2019–2020 academic year, Baku State University will offer a bachelor's degree program in "Sustainable Development Management". As previously mentioned, specific themes on particular SDG areas are also included in the various study programs. Examples include "Introduction to Gender," "Azerbaijan's Sustainable Development Goals," "The Green and Blue Economy," "Food Security and Sustainable Development," "Urbanization and Urban Planning," and others.

The faculty of ecology is involved in the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars environmental monitoring project, the master's in ecology training project under the TEMPUS program, and the ETL project on "Ecological Monitoring" under the organization of the department's "ANSF and MTRF".

At department meetings and meetings in the Department of Environmental Chemistry, topics pertaining to scientific methodology and education are frequently discussed. Discussions of scientific seminars, courses, and diploma theses are occasionally necessary.

For more detail please see: REPORT ON SDG 4: QUALITY EDUCATION