Project Kick-off meeting was arranged on 18 November 2015 at the Azerbaijan Technical University. A total of 80 higher education professors, administrators, students and other stakeholders took part in the official launch of the project at the University auditorium.
Mr. Havar Mammadov, Rector of the Azerbaijan Technical University welcomed the project and participants to the meeting. Mr. Yagub Piriyev, Deputy Chief of Staff of the MoE, underlined the importance of higher education and value of wide international co-operation. H.E. Ambassador of the EUD Ms. Malena Mård underlined the importance of Twinning projects and welcomed the focus on education, followed by the speeches of H.E. Finnish Ambassador Mr. Christer Michelsson and Estonian Charge d’Affairs Mr. Indrek Kiverik.
Ms. Helka Kekäläinen, Head of Higher Education Evaluation Unit of the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre, MS Senior Project Leader, and Ms. Heli Mattisen, Director of the Estonian Higher Education Quality Agency, Junior Project Leader had a joint presentation on the project objectives and mandatory results. Mr. Emin Amrullayev, Head of the Education Development Programs Department of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, BC Project Leader presented data on higher education in Azerbaijan. Mr. Reijo Aholainen, the RTA, introduced the communication plans of the project, and welcomed all higher education institutions to network and work actively with the Ministry in the project
