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Rector of Kiev National University: "We have graduates among the members of the Milli Majlis" - INTERVIEW

16.07.2021 11:44 280 review
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We present an interview with the rector of the Kiev National University named after T. Shevchenko of the Eastern European bureau of "Report" Volodymyr Bugrov.

 

- What is the level of cooperation between your university and Azerbaijani universities? In particular, what agreements regulate the exchange of students and experience? Are there any projects planned for the future?

 

- At present, there are relevant agreements between the Kiev National University named after T. Shevchenko and 8 higher education institutions of Azerbaijan. These are Baku State University, Baku Slavic University, Azerbaijan State Economic University, Azerbaijan Cooperation University, Azerbaijan Technical University, Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry, Nakhchivan State University, as well as Shamakhi Astrophysics Observatory of ANAS. At the same time, thanks to our cooperation agreement with the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Kiev, we coordinate our cooperation with both universities and the government of Azerbaijan. In total, there are 131 agreements between Ukraine and Azerbaijan in various fields, some of which are in the field of education. Thus, the agreement on mutual recognition of diplomas and degrees signed between the governments of the two countries in 2000 has made our cooperation in the provision of educational services, the education of Azerbaijani students in Ukraine and Ukrainian students in Azerbaijan more effective. In our opinion, the legal framework for cooperation between our countries has been comprehensively developed, which creates opportunities for cooperation between Ukrainian and Azerbaijani universities without facing any official obstacles.

 

- In how many countries are the diplomas of Kiev National University officially recognized? What steps are being taken to increase this number? What would you say about the reforms being carried out at the university you lead?

 

- I would like to note that Ukraine is a party to the Lisbon Convention, which regulates the recognition of diplomas in different countries. The signatory countries undertake to recognize diplomas issued in other signatory countries if certain conditions are met. In Ukraine, those conditions have been met. These are bachelor's, master's, doctoral degrees in higher education, the application of the European credit-transfer system, the measurement and registration of time spent in universities, the mutual recognition of specialties. That is, today the diplomas of the National University of Kiev are recognized in about 150 countries that have signed the Lisbon Convention or adopted its provisions.

 

 

- How many European countries are there among these countries?

 

Europe has all the countries of the world. We approach the issue of quality of education from the point of view of international rankings. Thus, the National University of Kiev is a participant in the UK's QA and CR Higher Education rankings, two of the three most prestigious rankings in Europe. Also, “U.S. We also participate in the annual ranking of News and World Report. In addition, we are a participant in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the city of Shanghai, as well as the Shanghai Mathematical Rating. Our participation in all these rankings is a proof that we provide education in accordance with international standards. However, we are not reassured. The coronavirus pandemic has also highlighted the need for change. Today, we are working on a digital university model in which all resources will be presented in electronic format. At the same time, we are working on new specialties suitable for the labor market. We are developing a university model that understands social responsibility. Because we must coordinate our steps with applicants, parents, employers and the state. Therefore, our mission must be quality education for a prosperous life. At the same time, as our university is also a research center, there are definitely scientific provisions in our master's programs. We also teach students new subjects such as entrepreneurship, social responsibility, and professional ethics. A modern youth who does not know these subjects is unlikely to have a good job.

 

- How many citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan have been admitted to Kiev National University this year and how many are currently studying? What is their level of education? What specialties do Azerbaijani students go to the most?

 

- Today, 180 people from the Republic of Azerbaijan study here. 178 of them study at faculties and institutes, and two of them study in our preparatory department. There are also Azerbaijanis who are citizens of Ukraine. In fact, the numbers I have listed are small, because this year, various references, tests, etc. for entry into the country. was required. This year, about 40 Azerbaijani students have completed their education, but no one has been accepted yet. As for specialties, most of them enter the Institute of Law, the Institute of International Relations, the Faculty of Economics. Of course, there are other faculties and institutes. In general, the school education of students from Azerbaijan is at a very high level. I would like to note that the Kiev National University has a great reputation in Azerbaijan, and those who want to enter are aware of our high requirements. By the way, we have several graduates among the members of the Milli Majlis, 4 or 5 people. Including many teachers of the Azerbaijan University of Economics. Our preparatory department pays special attention to language training. In general, I can say that the students from Azerbaijan are strong and successful.

 

- Are there any cases of Azerbaijani students being expelled due to indiscipline or other reasons?

 

- There were no such cases last year. Students from the Republic of Azerbaijan are usually expelled on the basis of a letter from the Migration Service. So, if they come to us with an educational visa, and then start doing business, there is a special visa for that. In such cases, the Migration Service sends a letter about the violation of the stay in the country, ie the visa regime, and we have to expel the student. Students from Azerbaijan have not been expelled in recent years due to indiscipline.

 

- Is it possible to perpetuate the names of prominent personalities of Azerbaijan, who also have a place in the history of Ukraine, by giving them to different departments of your university?

 

- Although there is no such tradition in our departments, Nizami Ganjavi will be 880 years old in 2021, and our honorary doctor, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, has also declared this year the Year of Nizami. In cooperation with the Azerbaijani Diaspora in Ukraine and the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, we have prepared a project to erect a statue of Nizami Ganjavi in ​​the Botanical Garden in the center of Kiev. In our opinion, this statue will be a symbol and decoration of the Ukrainian-Azerbaijani friendship.

 

In December 2022, the 30th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between our countries will be celebrated. As we know, in the past there were diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of Ukraine, and Yusif Vazir Chamanzaminli, a graduate of the Faculty of Law of St. Vladimir University, served as ambassador of the Popular Front to Ukraine. In honor of this prominent figure, we are currently preparing a joint auditorium with the Azerbaijani Embassy. Thus, we have a tradition of giving the names of prominent personalities to the audience. Materials reflecting the life, scientific works and diplomatic activity of Yusif Vazir are being prepared together with the embassy. On the eve of the 30th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, we have agreed with the embassy to open the auditorium in the Golden Building of the university.

 

 

The opening of the Azerbaijani Language Center at our Institute of Philology is also under discussion. At present, there are about 35 language and cultural centers. During the conversation with the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, we noted that we could negotiate the opening of the Azerbaijani Language Center, taking into account the number of Azerbaijani students from Azerbaijan, as well as ours. Also, the admission of students to our department of Turkology for the preparation of the Azerbaijani language as a second language every few years is announced.

 

The Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Ukraine is as active today as ever. We meet regularly, hold discussions and think about various projects. All this indicates the close relationship between us. And this is for the benefit of the citizens of both countries, including our university.

 

- The facts were discussed that Azerbaijani students studying at your university could not speak Russian, Ukrainian or English, despite receiving diplomas. So how did these students get their education?

 

- It is difficult to say, because we regularly invite even embassy representatives to state exams. It is very good that you pay attention to this issue. Earlier, the embassy had such dissatisfaction, but now it is not. The former ambassador was dissatisfied. He was also a graduate of the Faculty of International Relations of our university. To prevent such liberalism, we began to exercise strict control over exams. I also had an Azerbaijani student studying at the Faculty of Philosophy.
I explained, and he said that he had difficulty understanding because he was from another country and spoke another language. I told him, "I don't want you to be a super philosopher, but there are a few things you need to know." When I was studying in the Soviet era, I had many classmates from Azerbaijan and there were no problems. No one wanted a price, citing the fact that he was from another republic. We are very careful and invite embassy representatives to all state exams. We have many students from Iran. We invite representatives of the Iranian embassy to their exams. We have a lot of students from India, about 500. Representatives of the Indian embassy are invited. In the same way, we invited an attaché on cultural issues from the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He is also involved in education. He is a graduate of our Institute of International Relations. He also took part in those exams. In short, if there were any doubts before, now we are trying to leave it behind.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQR950ICTk4

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