An International Scientific Conference: “Modern Management Model of Scientific Activity at Universities”
On June 14, an International Scientific-practical Conference on “Modern Management Model of Scientific Activity at Universities” has been organized with support of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, UNEC, Clarivate Analytics (Thomson Reuters) and the International Science and Technological Information Center.
Firstly, the participants of the conference visited the Honorary Cemetery to pay tribute to National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s memory; they laid a wreath at the grave. The attendees have also laid bunches of flowers at the prominent scholar, ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva’s grave in the Honorary Cemetery.
UNEC Rector, Professor Adalat Muradov expressed gratitude to the guests for their participation. Rector said that the fact to dedicate the conference to the modern management model of scientific activity at universities is not accidental: “In recent years, expectations from the universities has increased as a result of the reforms implemented at universities retrieved from the “State Strategy on the Development of Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan” approved by the President Ilham Aliyev. Universities are evaluated through the prism of education-science-production triangle. It is already accepted in the community that science have nothing to do without practice, education without science and practice and business without education and science”.
A.Muradov noted the quality education also include the transformation of the most serious, rational, practical knowledge that can be applied in practice: Universities are specialized institutions form human capital. The value of human capital is measured by the amount of value added to its application could create. Human capital that can create high added value require practical skills to investigate innovative and of practical significance. Thus, the science center form the ring in the triangle of education-science-production and makes it necessary to change the traditional approach to the management of scientific activity at universities. I believe that the management trends of scientific performance will be debated today and useful recommendations will be heard”.
The Education Minister Mikayil Jabbarov said Azerbaijan is modernizing the management system of its higher education institutions as an independent state: “We possess a strong scientific system of reach traditions. Today, universities play an important role in ensuring economic growth. At the same time, universities offer workplaces for the labor market”.
Evaluating the adoption of the “Law of Education” by the Parliament in 2016 as a significant step, the Minister noted that hundreds of young Azerbaijanis were sent to the leading universities of the world to study. M.Jabbarov said the modernization of science and provision of its integration to the world science are the main challenges of modern era. Drawing to attention wide range of capabilities to meet the requirements of this system, the Minister stressed that we are in the first stage of the road. According to him, the role of higher education engaged in the formation of human capital rising steadily: “Besides the preparation of cadres traditionally, our universities become the manufacturers of knowledge-based products. In recent years, appropriate measures were taken to attract grants to scientific activities. It also increases young people’s interests in science once again”. M.Jabbarov emphasized the importance of ensuring the sustainability of the national higher education: “Therefore, we create a new management model of universities. There were a series of disciplines related with scientific research that were not taught. Research universities are widely used in the creation of conditions for their potential. Not every scientific research result successfully. A small part of innovations brings the desired results. However, even small success is welcomed”.
Global Director on Emerging Countries Vidji Krishnan assessed the science and technology as a key factor that determine the success of the country. He stressed universities has much to do in this area. Highlighting that she search for scientific products of high quality, Ms. Krishnan spoke about the higher education institutions they cooperate with: “Azerbaijan has also joined our platform. We always observe positive changes from our subscribers. For example, the number of scientific publications has increased in Azerbaijan in 20 per cent. Taking into account the strong scientific potential in Azerbaijan, I can say with confidence that this is just the beginning.
Chairman of the Copyright Agency, Professor Kamran Imanov spoke about the innovation and start-up projects implemented in the country. He talked about the decisive role of novelties in economic growth. He stressed that Azerbaijan is in the first place in the field of innovations in CIS. In general, Azerbaijan is ranked 76th among the 146 countries for knowledge economy.
Director of the International Science and Technical Information Center Yevgeniy Ugrinovich spoke about the successful cooperation with Azerbaijan. He noted that the execution of joint projects in Scientometrics has started.
Professor of the Northern Carolina University of the US, the Nobel Prize Laureate Aziz Sancar started his speech with the words “it is not good, if a country allocates more funds to military expenses than to science and education”: “Giant Osmanli Empire stopped the funds allocated to scientific research since XVI century, thereby the foundation of the end of Osmanli Empire was laid. Looking at the map, we see that a small area has left from the Giant Empire. Afterwards, the modern Turkish State was founded. We are proud with modern State of Turkey and its founder Ataturk. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was a reformer of education. I was born in remote province, poor and large family. I received excellent education owing to Ataturk. Therefore, I am indebted to Ataturk for my achievements in the life” The scholar repaid his debt by presenting his medal when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2015 to Ataturk’s mausoleum.
Expressing best feelings for Azerbaijan, A.Sancar completed his speech with words: “Azerbaijan is a country situated in the heart of Turkish World”, and thanked the Education Minister Mikayil Jabbarov for his invitation.
The Conference joined by the leaders of the prestigious higher education institutions, scientists and research fellows from Azerbaijan, the US, Turkey, Russia, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Switzerland, Great Britain, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Poland, Moldova, Belarus, Kirgizstan and other countries continued its work in panels. Reputable scientists of the globe made discussions on the problems of science and education, perspectives, application of scientometrics at universities, economy and funding of science, protection of intellectual property and scientific ethics.
Training on “The guidelines to use and operate the database of “Web of Science” and a seminar training on “Web of Science” Certification Program have been organized at UNEC within the conference on June 13. At the same time, the presentation of a book “Resource on Scientometrics: Development Indicators of Science and Technologies” has been held. The employees of the Scientific-research Institute of Economic Studies under UNEC translated the book. Scientific editors of the book are UNEC Rector, Professor Adalat Muradov and the Director of the Scientific-research Institute of Economic Studies under UNEC, Professor Yadulla Hasanli. The book translated for the first time in CIS will be presented as a gift to the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, higher education institutions and scientific libraries.