ADPU hosts international conferences on quality in higher education and teacher education
Baku, November 27, AZERTAC
On November 27, the opening ceremony of the International Conference on Quality in Higher Education (ICQH) and the International Teacher Education Conference (ITEC) was held at Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University (ADPU). The events were jointly organized by the Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK), the Education Quality Assurance Agency (TKTA), Sakarya University, and Çankaya University.
Coordinators from Türkiye and Azerbaijan – Professor Aytekin İşman from Sakarya University and Associate Professor Eldar Aslanov, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at ADPU – provided detailed information on the preparation process for the conferences. It was noted that more than 210 scientific papers and abstracts were submitted to the International Conference on Quality in Higher Education, and over 150 to the International Teacher Education Conference.
ADPU Rector Professor Jafar Jafarov stated that improving the quality of higher education is one of the main topics of global discussion. He emphasized that the introduction of accreditation mechanisms aligned with international standards has significantly increased transparency and accountability within the higher education system. Digital management tools and the modernization of educational and training resources have also strengthened the accessibility and effectiveness of higher education.
The rector noted that large-scale programs on teacher training, staff development, curriculum renewal, and the integration of universities into international ranking systems are already delivering tangible results. “These reforms ensure the flexible integration of Azerbaijan’s higher education sector into the global environment,” he said.
Jafar Jafarov stressed that sustainable quality in education cannot be ensured without training teachers who meet modern requirements, possess broad competencies, and have developed pedagogical thinking. For this reason, the International Teacher Education Conference carries special importance.
Rector of Çankaya University Hadi Hakan Maraş, Rector of Sakarya University Hamza Al, YÖKAK President Professor Ümit Kocabıçak, and TKTA Board Chairman Tural Ahmadov noted in their remarks that the conferences serve not only as scientific platforms for discussion but also as strategic opportunities for exchanging knowledge and experience between the higher education systems of the two countries. They expressed confidence that the events will pave the way for new cooperation prospects and provide a strong impetus for joint initiatives in the higher education sector.
Following the opening speeches, a piano performance by Gulay Imanzade, a final-year Biology Teaching student at ADPU, was presented.
The plenary session then proceeded with opening reports. ADPU Rector Jafar Jafarov delivered a presentation on “Quality Indicators in Modern Teacher Training,” YÖKAK President Ümit Kocabıçak spoke on “The Importance of Accreditation in Higher Education and the Impact of Artificial Intelligence,” and TKTA Board Chairman Tural Ahmadov presented on “Challenges and Expectations in Institutional and Program Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions.”
After the plenary session, the International Conference on Quality in Higher Education and the International Teacher Education Conference continued their work through discussions held in 18 thematic sections.