Baku, November 18, AZERTAC

Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) has hosted the Second National Forum of Foreign Students on the occasion of the International Students Day. The event was organized by Baku International Students Club with the financial support of Azerbaijan Youth Foundation.

Participants in the meeting included Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Intigam Babayev, Head of Youth Sector of Social and Political Department at the Presidential Administration Vusal Guliyev, Executive Director of Azerbaijan Youth Foundation Farhad Hajiyev, MP Fuad Muradov, Head of Baku Youth and Sports Department Ragif Abbasov, Chairmain of Azerbaijan Youth and Students Union Shahin Ismayilov, representatives of embassies, youth organizations and higher schools, as well as foreign students studying at Azerbaijani higher educational institutions.

Ayseba Umutlu, Chairperson of Baku International Students Club spoke about the remarkable projects that had been realized since 2011 when the first forum was held, and appreciated the support rendered by BHOS management to organization of the forum. “The forum is mainly aimed at bringing together foreign students studying in Azerbaijan, giving them the opportunity to express themselves. It is also aimed at studying the challenges faced by foreign students during the project implementation and their interests, as well as organizing events which would help to strengthen communication between Azerbaijani and foreign students. Today, about 5,000 students representing 58 countries study in Azerbaijan. While the number of participants of the First Forum constituted about 200 students from 18 countries, today we are hosting over 300 students from 25 countries,” Umutlu said.

BHOS Rector Elmar Gasimov underlined the importance of the fact that students representing diverse world countries gathered at BHOS.

Stressing that Azerbaijan always contributed to educating international level specialists, Gasimov spoke about outstanding activities in this direction initiated in the 1970s by national leader Heydar Aliyev. BHOS Rector mentioned that some persons who used to study in Azerbaijan later on occupied high positions in their countries. He also drew attention of the participants to the fact that this policy was successfully pursued now by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. “Azerbaijan turned to be the second home country for foreign students,” Mr Gasimov said.

Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Intigam Babayev thanked the Forum organizers and praised BHOS Rector’s support to convening this meeting. He recommended foreign students to share their knowledge about the history and culture of Azerbaijan gained during their studies here once they return to their home countries.

Vusal Guliyev, Head of Youth Sector of Social and Political Department at the Presidential Administration also extended his best wishes to the Forum participants, expressing hope that this kind of meetings would be organized in future systematically.

The participants of the Forum with the motto “We propose, you support” generally focused on the necessity of creating the International Youth Centers, availability of more dormitories for foreign students, the possibility of short-term jobs, organization of exhibitions for creative and talented students and special tours in order to more closely familiarize foreign students with Azerbaijan. The Forum continued with students performance of Azerbaijani national songs and dances.

In conclusion, special certificates of Baku International Students Club and gifts were presented to students who were particularly distinguished for close cooperation with Baku International Students Club and active involvement in social life. BHOS Rector Elmar Gasimov also awarded the students distinguished at the Forum.