Information on the execution of the "State Program on Increasing the International Competitiveness of the Higher Education System in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2019-2023" as of 31.03.2025

Pursuant to the paragraph 4 of the Presidential Order No. 711 dated November 16, 2018, on the approval of the "State Program on Increasing the International Competitiveness of the Higher Education System in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2019-2023", this program will be financed by the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as by technical and financial assistance of international organizations, loans and grants, donations of foreign and local legal entities and individuals, and other sources that do not contradict with the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

According to the Order, the program’s execution is realized by the Management Group of the State Program of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The priority specialties of the State Program for the education of citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the doctorate level abroad were identified by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan No. 241 dated May 27, 2019.

The selection rules of citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who will study at the doctoral level in foreign universities within the State Program has been approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan No. 444 dated November 13, 2019.

The rules on payment of tuition fees of citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the doctoral level in prestigious foreign universities were approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan No. 445 dated November 13, 2019.

The rules on financing methods of international dual degree programs within the State Program were approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan No. 450 dated November 20, 2019.

The selection rules of foreign partner universities, specialty programs and levels of education to implement the international dual degree programs within the State Program were approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 451 dated November 20, 2019.

As of 31.03.2025, on the basis of the orders of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, SOFAZ allocated a total of AZN 99 496.3 thousand (taking into account the repayment in the amount of AZN 1 003.4 thousand under the 2007–2015 State Program) to the relevant accounts at the Treasury Department No. 1 of the State Treasury Agency including:

• AZN 2 714.7 thousand was allocated in the frame of approved cost estimates of the Management Group in 2020 - 2024 ( AZN 476.8 thousand was allocated during the first quarter of 2025);
• AZN 32 391.7 thousand (AZN 633.22 thousand was allocated during the first quarter of 2025) was allocated for funding the higher education abroad in 2020 -2024 (funds include living, education, visa, insurance and travel expenses);
• AZN 65 393.3 thousand ( there was no payment during the first quarter of 2025 ) was allocated for funding international double degree programs in 2020-2024.

It should be noted that 38.24 million manats have been allocated for the project in the 2024 budget of SOFAZ.

Information on the countries and priority areas of financing doctoral degree education abroad in the framework of the State Program as of 31.03.2025