“One of the main goals of UNEC until 2030 is the transition to a “green university”, and relevant works are being carried out in connection with this. We also aim to develop a master’s program on “green economy””.
The rector of Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) Professor Adalat Muradov voiced these views at the international scientific-practical conference on “Green economy and the road to ecological imperatives: new challenges, opportunities and perspectives”.
The rector also spoke about the “REFRESH” project won by UNEC on the Erasmus+ program of the European Commission: “Starting this year, UNEC will implement “REFRESH” project, which aims at green and sustainable economic improvement in Azerbaijani universities, in the next 3 years. The main goal of the project with a total cost of 703 thousand euros is to contribute to the stimulation of human capital in the field of renewable energy in Azerbaijan. Within the framework of the project, the basis for continuous training of local personnel in universities on renewable energy sources, inculcation of “green skills” will be laid, and contributions will be made to the strategic document “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for socio-economic development”. It is the first time that the training of national personnel in this field is started with the creation of a curriculum on renewable energy sources in 6 universities across the country. In this regard, REFRESH project is the first and only project that massively lays the foundations of teaching in higher education institutions in the direction of the transition to a green economy.”
Professor Adalat Muradov also spoke about the importance of Virtual Learning Simulation (VLS) laboratories, which are part of the new curriculum based on European experience: “These laboratories will be created in each of the local universities. These changes to the curriculum aim to increase the quality and practicality of teaching in local higher schools. This, in turn, will stimulate “green skills” in Azerbaijan and ultimately contribute to a successful green transition of the economy.”
The rector also said that “Green University” policy document will be prepared and shared among interest groups: “Green University” is a model for the formation of “green economy” and ecological culture in the base of higher education institutions. It includes behavioral aspects, technical management and educational innovation. “Universities are becoming the center of ecological innovations and “green economy”.
Stressing that the goal of the “UI Green Metric World University Ranking”, the only international ranking in the field of ecology is to help solve environmental problems with the support of the academic community, Adalat Muradov made suggestions in this direction: “Waste management programs should be developed, a summer green university school should be created and Eco festival of Higher Education Institutions should be held.”
It should be noted that the international scientific-practical conference on “Green economy and the road to ecological imperatives: new challenges, opportunities and perspectives” started on October 12. Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev, the rector of UNEC Professor Adalat Muradov, deputy minister of Energy Samir Valiyev, vice president of BP Bakhtiyar Aslanbeyli, chairman of the Milli Majlis Committee Sadiq Gurbanov, Turkish deputy minister of Labor and Social Security, Prof. Dr. Luftihak Alpkan, chairman of the International Leadership, Technology, Innovation and Management Conference Professor Cemal Zehir made a speech at the official opening of the conference.
The international conference, held with the support of the Ministry of Science and Education, the initiative of the Chairman of the Natural Resources, Energy and Ecology Committee of the Milli Majlis, Sadiq Gurbanov, as well as with the joint organization of UNEC, Yıldız Technical University and AETN Management Systems Institute and International Technical Strategic Management and Executives Association will continue until the 14th of October with panel discussions.