Fariz Ismayilzade: "A deputy should not be indifferent; if there is a problem, they should voice it."
"Today's activity of ANAS is weak."
"Those who are not looking for a job cannot be considered unemployed."
Fariz Ismayilzade, a deputy of the 7th convocation of the Milli Majlis, Deputy Chairman of the Science and Education Committee, Vice-Rector of ADA University, and Director of the Institute for Development and Diplomacy, Modern.az-a gave an interview.
We present the interview:
– Mr. Fariz, Lankaran, USA, several European countries, then Baku... What is your main goal in continuing your activity in Azerbaijan again?
– Brain drain from Azerbaijan to abroad was very high in the 1990s. All young people were flocking abroad. Because at that time, the economy was weak, and social welfare was low. After studying abroad, we had two choices: to return or not to return. Some chose to stay abroad, while others returned to Azerbaijan. Everyone had a personal choice on this matter. For example, a large portion of those who studied with me in the 90s had remained abroad. Now they are also slowly wanting to return to Azerbaijan, and some have even already returned. This shows that Azerbaijan has changed: new opportunities, good salaries, and job prospects have increased here.
– Was your education in the USA funded by the state?
– I completed my bachelor's degree under a US state program and my master's degree under an Azerbaijani state program. During my studies, I received state scholarships from both countries.
– There were differences, I suppose...
– Azerbaijan is rapidly strengthening and can currently provide scholarships to thousands of young people. This makes me happy. Under the Azerbaijani state program, everything is covered – tuition fees, housing, insurance, travel, and visa expenses. The only requirement is to return and work in the country. In the USA, however, the requirements are higher.
– In 2024, you were elected a deputy of the 7th convocation of the Milli Majlis. Did you have such a desire from the beginning, or did you make the decision at the last moment?
– I have been working at ADA University for nearly 20 years. Naturally, every person seeks different directions in life. I thought that if I have been working at ADA University for 20 years, I could use the experience I gained here in the political arena as well. Thus, I decided to put forward my candidacy in these elections, and I am currently represented in the Science and Education Committee of the Milli Majlis. I view my activity in parliament as a continuation of my experience at ADA University. Because throughout my activity at ADA University, we discuss the development of higher education and international projects. As a result, we had the opportunity to develop the continuation of this experience in the political and legislative fields.
– What were your expectations from parliament?
– Discussion of new laws, exchange of experience with foreign parliaments, foreign platforms, cooperation with international organizations, working closely with citizens... Because the university environment is a bit different; there, you only work with students.
– Well, did the Azerbaijani parliament meet your expectations after you were elected a deputy?
– To be precise, yes, it did. Because I have three directions. First, working with citizens, and from this perspective, we visit Lankaran twice a month. The second direction is legislative, which involves the discussion of laws. The third, of course, is international affairs. I am the head of the working group on inter-parliamentary relations between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and we have very close ties with this parliament. Overall, I see innovations in all three directions I mentioned.
The British Parliament is one of the most important parliaments in the world. When the "Nagorno-Karabakh" problem was raised, most of the pressure on Azerbaijan came from parliaments. Our duty is to inform parliaments and provide detailed information so that they support Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, the friendship group in the British Parliament had not been active for the last 2 years. This was because all friendship groups in the British Parliament had been suspended due to a corruption scandal involving some countries. Our task is to restore the activity of this friendship group, and in principle, things are better now.
– Sometimes, a less-than-warm relationship is observed between deputies elected for several convocations and those elected for the first time. What is your relationship with veteran deputies?
– I knew almost all the deputies. Because they regularly spoke at ADA University events. It takes some time to learn the internal procedures of parliament; for example, our communication with older deputies is useful in matters such as how to prepare speeches and submit proposals. This experience is beneficial for preparing speeches, submitting proposals, and even knowing when to remain silent. To be honest, I have not felt any pressure or negativity in the relationships between newly elected deputies and those from previous years. On the contrary, we learn things by observing their behavior. For example, when a law is brought up for discussion, we can learn about the changes it has undergone from deputies of previous convocations. We even learn things from their rules of conduct. Or, when listening to the Cabinet of Ministers' report, they also gave certain advice. So, it's not as you think; deputies are, in fact, friendly.
– In your opinion, what should a deputy be like?
– First and foremost, a deputy should not be indifferent. If there are problems in society or governance, they should voice them. Because that is precisely why they sit in the Milli Majlis. Over the past two years, I have also raised several issues in the Milli Majlis. Naturally, there are other criteria as well. A deputy should have international experience, be open to meetings with citizens, and be caring.
– One of the laws that has been discussed in parliament for years but not adopted is the Law "On Higher Education." In your opinion, what problems does the non-adoption of this draft law create in higher education?
– The Law "On Higher Education" has not been included in the agenda of the VII convocation. It was last discussed in the VI convocation, and I participated in those discussions as an expert. That draft law contained many positive points. For example, several important issues such as reducing bachelor's education to 3 years and master's education to 1 year, various flexibilities in management, and the creation of new specialties were reflected. But why it was not adopted, to be honest, I do not know.
Generally speaking, I believe there is a need for the adoption of this law, because society and the world are changing. In the new law, I am even in favor of granting more autonomy to universities and creating conditions for them to develop more flexible specialties. Likewise, it is necessary to simplify the principles of student transfer between higher education institutions, including the transfer of students from one faculty to another. In short, there is currently a need for such a draft law. From this perspective, we should prepare this draft law. The standard practice of specializing and studying in one field for 4 or 5 years in universities is becoming obsolete. Sometimes you see that you start studying a certain specialty, but 10 years later, that specialty becomes obsolete. For this reason, it is necessary to utilize more mobile, flexible programs, and online and distance resources. We see that the curriculum in universities cannot create this flexibility.
– Are you satisfied with the current development dynamics of Azerbaijani education?
– In Azerbaijan, the education system collapsed in the 1990s. In the modern era, to be precise, in the last 10-15 years, the government's main work has been focused on improving teaching, but we still lack the capacity for research. Here, improving teaching refers to increasing teachers' salaries, establishing new universities, and changing rectors in universities. That is, our main goal today is for students to receive a normal, quality education. However, for universities to reach an international level, there must be high-level research, innovation, discoveries, and patents. Issues such as funding, laboratories, a scientific environment, and collaboration among scientists are very important for conducting research. Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to create that environment.
– Mr. Fariz, you received your education abroad. That is why you can currently hold a high position. But can Azerbaijani universities produce graduates who work in high government positions?
– There is a difference from graduate to graduate. There are graduates who have practical experience, are knowledgeable, and have worked in banks and similar places. As a result, they can later find good jobs. Often, companies even approach them. But there are also students who don't study anything for 4 years, and then…
– But according to the report of the State Employment Agency, graduates of state and private universities operating in Azerbaijan at best work in banks, and on average, 40-45 percent of graduates find jobs in the last 2 years...
– I do not agree with the report prepared by the State Employment Agency. Because their reports are not accurate. That report is measured only by who has an employment contract. Some go abroad to continue their education, some are in military service, some are on maternity leave. Or someone is engaged in entrepreneurship but does not have an employment contract. Also, special bodies are not registered there. From this perspective, that statistic is misleading. I had also spoken about this in parliament. So, this statistic does not mean that based on the percentage shown there, the rest are unemployed. There are people who sit at home and do not look for a job. That also affects the statistics. Only a person who is looking for a job but cannot find one is considered unemployed. As I said, there are people who sit at home and do not look for a job.
Overall, some graduates cannot find jobs corresponding to their specialty. This is probably due to the student not studying well, being unable to withstand competition in the market, and as a result, our economy not developing at full speed. But I am of the opinion that good personnel can find jobs for themselves. A student does not only learn in classes. Today's student should participate in projects, summer camps, and conferences. Most of our students go from class to home and from home to class, and as a result, they cannot keep up with the market.
– What would be your advice to students?
– My advice to students would be to engage in extracurricular activities. The more they participate in conferences, camps, and trainings, the more active they will be, and their communication skills will develop.
– But what you said can only apply to students studying in Baku. It is said that the level of universities in Baku and the regions differs sharply from each other. For example, if you compare BSU with LSU, what conclusions would you draw?
– Of course, there are many differences. There are many companies in Baku, and opportunities are wider. Naturally, there are no conditions like those in Baku for young people in the regions. But I also studied in a region. Moreover, the years I studied coincided with the 90s. Back then, there was no internet, but now there is. In this sense, it is possible to learn languages and participate in online courses by using the internet. So, there are opportunities for development; the main thing is to have the desire. During my trip to Lankaran, I also went to Lerik, which is a more remote region, but even there, there is internet.
– In the early 2000s, some private universities in Azerbaijan even surpassed state universities. In global practice, private higher education centers are also considered more prestigious. However, currently, the same cannot be said about private universities in our country. What do you see as the reason for this?
– Generally, Azerbaijani post-Soviet society trusts state structures more, because we lived in the Soviet Union for many years. Therefore, there is a belief in society that if it is a state university, its diploma will be recognized in all institutions. In private universities, however, certain quality problems arose at certain times; some were closed, and the diplomas of some were not recognized later. But abroad, and even in Turkey itself, private universities are more prestigious. Today, there are some private universities that are indeed doing good work.
– We talked about the problems in universities. As the Deputy Chairman of the Science and Education Committee of the Milli Majlis, what do you think are the main problems of Azerbaijani science and education?
– The main problems are that the world is changing rapidly, and we are falling behind those changes. Our universities must be more flexible to adapt to technologies. The same applies to our science as well as education. In many developed countries of the world, scientific work is mostly carried out in universities. In recent years, work has also been done in this direction. Several institutes included in the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences have been merged with universities. Here, the discussion may be more about synergy than merger. But, unfortunately, this process is still quite slow, and the research potential in universities has not yet been strengthened.
– Overall, how do you evaluate the activity of ANAS? To what extent can this institution demonstrate its activity to society, and what effect can the books it publishes create?
– Overall, the current activity of ANAS is weak. For example, abroad, research is mainly commissioned by the private sector. A private company orders technological innovations, patents, engineering devices, and as a result, science also progresses. In our country, there are no orders from the private sector; the Academy of Sciences' funds come from the state, and that is quite limited. Consequently, scientific research and studies are conducted less, no inventions are made, and no innovation is visible. When funds are scarce, naturally, the work of the Academy of Sciences will also be weak. Some institutes operate passively, mostly continuing their old research, and have no orders from real industry.
– When the name of the Ministry of Education was changed, its powers also increased. The main work in the field of science was entrusted to the ministry. Emin Amrullayev also stated in his speeches that science is impossible without education. From this perspective, is it possible to expect that the powers of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, which has been operating in Azerbaijan for many years, will further decrease in the next 10 years?
– The vision was to merge some institutes with universities and create synergy. This process has been slow for three years now. Because universities cannot get used to their own structures. The external structure also finds it difficult to accept the newcomer because it doesn't know them. Therefore, everyone works in the old style. In this sense, I do not see strong synergy.
– Recently, photos of many scientists were circulated at the General Meeting of the Presidium of ANAS. It is claimed that they were sleeping during the meeting. What is your attitude towards this?
– Since I was not at that meeting, I cannot say for sure how real the photos are. Here, 50 percent of the blame lies with journalists, and 50 percent with scientists. Sometimes, during a 4-5 hour meeting, a person listens carefully to the speaker, and it is possible that they closed their eyes at some point. Taking a photo of the person at that exact second is not right at all. When this happens, the topic is taken out of context. Because every person can close their eyes or bow their head. It is also possible that they genuinely fell asleep; after all, they are human, they might have slept poorly at night, have a heart condition, some illness, and so on. Of course, such situations also occur. Every person can experience this. But overall, there is also a decontextualization here. Sometimes you see that they choose a photo that is far from reality.
Also, in the modern era, interactive meetings should be held. There should be certain visual elements and a discussion format. If such formats changed as the world changes, perhaps the meeting would not have been held that way. But I cannot say that I view this incident sharply negatively; it is possible that someone felt sleepy.
– One of the main issues discussed in recent years is the claims that the title of teacher is gradually becoming trivialized in the country. Some justify this with the open criticism of teachers by the Minister of Science and Education, Emin Amrullayev. What do you think? Where does the Azerbaijani teacher stand today?
– The work of Azerbaijani teachers has become very difficult. Because previously, a teacher was considered an authority in the classroom and commanded great respect. Neither parents nor students interfered with the teacher's work. Now, our society has become very sensitive. As soon as a small incident occurs, parents put pressure on the teacher. I am completely against this. One should not put pressure on a teacher, question their work, or shout at them. Secondly, allowing phones into the classroom has made the job difficult. Everyone records, writes, and shows something. Difficulties arise for the teacher. Unfortunately, in today's society, the teacher's power and respect have diminished, but we must restore this respect and power no matter what. There are parents who have no pedagogical experience, yet they come and pressure the teacher, saying, "You must do it this way." How do you know what to do and how to do it in pedagogy? You haven't received an education, you have no pedagogical experience; how can you claim this? What I mean is that in our current society, people have become very sensitive towards children and defend them.
– Recently, various amendments were made to the Law "On Education." One of them was the issue of teachers specializing in music and art also undergoing certification. Additionally, in the last session, it was confirmed that the MIQ exam would be paid. In your opinion, can these changes in the direction of MIQ and certification exams eliminate the problems in our education?
– In the 90s, there were certain gaps in education, which in some cases led to teachers without the necessary knowledge being employed. For this reason, the Ministry of Science and Education involves teachers in exams and removes those who were accidentally selected from schools. I understand this. Indeed, in the 90s, very serious gaps had emerged in our education system. As a result, even those with fake diplomas or weak education began working as teachers. Today, to protect the quality of education, we must combat precisely these problems. On the other hand, some concessions should be made for those who show weak results in the certification exam. I believe that completely removing teachers from the education field is not correct.
– One of the issues discussed in parliament and indirectly related to education was the draft Law "On Children's Rights." According to the draft, children are prohibited from being subjected to compulsory religious belief. For example, in Baku, the southern region, Nakhchivan, and other districts, we see children going to school wearing hijabs. Sometimes, for this reason, they do not even attend sports classes. What is your attitude towards this?
– It is difficult to evaluate this issue unequivocally. Because on the one hand, Azerbaijan is a secular country, and there are certain rules and laws. Education up to the 9th grade is compulsory, and rules must be respected. On the other hand, there are religious people in Azerbaijan, and the majority of the population is Muslim. It is difficult for me to say anything specific about this. Overall, we must strive to prevent radicalism from developing among young people. Our youth should receive quality, secular education and not fall under the influence of any group.
– Mr. Fariz, one of the problems that comes to mind when talking about the southern region is the issue of girls' education and early marriage. How is this issue currently regulated, and have you taken any initiatives to eliminate these problems?
– Unfortunately, the southern region is at the lowest level in terms of girls completing secondary school. Approximately 65 percent of girls complete secondary school, while others do not complete full secondary school. This is a very regrettable fact. Consider that they are drawn into marriage, and if the parties divorce and the woman has no education, she then becomes unemployed. For this reason, I have launched a practical training program for girls in Lankaran on my own initiative, so that they at least have practical skills. Thus, we have opened free courses for girls in Lankaran, and training is provided in 5 areas – financial skills, programming, web design, project management, and social media. It would be good if our girls, after completing their education, would turn to vocational schools.
– Anar Iskandarov, the Chairman of the Science and Education Committee, was elected a deputy from the Lankaran rural constituency. Generally, what are your relations with the deputies representing this region – Anar Iskandarov and Javanshir Pashazade? What discussions do you have regarding the region?
– Our coordination with Mr. Anar is greater. Because we are also together in the Science and Education Committee, and our offices are side by side. We have had one or two joint events with other deputies representing the southern region. For example, Rashad Mahmudov, the deputy elected from Astara, held an Education Forum in this region. All of us participated there. When Mr. President granted National Hero status to Panjali Teymurov from the south, all southern deputies visited their homes. Overall, we have regular coordination with other deputies from this region.
– How do you travel to Lankaran? It is said that drivers here have problems: many accidents occur, speed limits, and so on.
– Our main road is in very good condition; it has been repaired. I would say it is one of the most comfortable roads in Azerbaijan. But while continuously following the media, I see that road accidents in Lankaran are indeed very frequent. It seems we need to educate young people in this regard as well. Sometimes, young men engage in reckless driving, which also sometimes causes accidents. Also, problems related to buses are often raised. But, to be honest, I have not yet encountered such problems.
– Lankaran is quite a colorful region. Are there Talysh people among your constituents?
– There are two electoral districts in Lankaran. Since I represent the city, there are almost no Talysh people here. I myself do not know the Talysh language, and there are no Talysh people among my close relatives.
– Are there any traditions you like and dislike in Lankaran, and if so, what are they?
– Lankaran's nature and cuisine are beautiful. It also has a rich history and culture. But, for example, I don't like the passivity of young people. I want to see young people active. Sometimes young people don't believe in themselves. They think there are no opportunities for them in life, but there are many. I don't like people sitting idle. I want there to be economic activity in Lankaran.
– You said its cuisine is beautiful. What is your favorite dish?
– My favorite dishes are pilaf and fish dishes.
– In your opinion, in which areas have the people of this region mainly been able to make their mark?
– In our region, people are very attached to family values. The institution of family is very strong in Lankaran. Perhaps this is not felt as much in big cities. Here, however, respect for elders and the kindness of people towards each other stand out.
– One of the interesting observations is that people from the southern region always coordinate with each other. Wherever they are, they always maintain their relationships and help each other as much as they can. From this perspective, has any Lankaran native helped you come to these places, and have you somehow helped Lankaran natives based on your status?
– I wouldn't say specifically Lankaran natives, but when I studied in the USA, we looked for Azerbaijanis everywhere. Even when sitting in any auditorium, if someone told me they were from Lankaran, I felt a sense of kinship towards them. But I have never abused this, because I have worked with Hafiz Pashayev for the last 20 years, and he is a person who values people only for their personal qualities. For me, a person's personal qualities, culture, and skills are more important than where they are from or their CV.
– Isn't working with Mr. Hafiz difficult for you?
– It is very difficult. Because Mr. Hafiz is a very responsible person and demands this responsibility from others as well. Also, Mr. Hafiz is a very honest person. A person working with him should not make a mistake even for a second. He is very sensitive to mistakes, demanding, and honest. He never answers calls from students' parents. For example, sometimes ministers call us. There are children of ministers who have deficiencies, but no matter what, no one's grades are adjusted by request.
– Mr. Hafiz is also known as a national figure...
– Mr. Hafiz is a patriotic person and, moreover, contributes to the development of literature in Azerbaijan. After all, he was born into Mir Jalal's family. To date, he has restored the Gazakh seminary and transliterated the "Azerbaijan" newspaper from Arabic script. In addition, he organizes certain literary evenings and spends a lot of time with writers. In a way, he continues his family's traditions so that intellectualism in Azerbaijan is maintained.
– Students come to ADA University from both Azerbaijani schools and foreign schools. Is there a big difference?
– The biggest flaw of the secondary school system is rote learning. In Azerbaijan, the main goal of a secondary school student is to prepare for tests and memorize things. This, as a result, weakens a person's communication and writing skills. Also, thinking and analytical abilities weaken. In such a case, you know the facts, you remember by heart what happened in which year, but you struggle to communicate in daily life. In foreign students, it is the opposite; they do not know rote learning. If you ask them how many states there are in the USA, they won't know, because there is no need to know that. But they can work in a team and solve problems. They also solve their daily life issues and are prepared for life's challenges. In our country, however, you see someone who scored 650 points on an exam but has no writing ability. We must strive for our graduates to adapt to modern times. In the current era, rote learning is absolutely not necessary. Now every fact is on the internet; you can go in, search, and find it. Now the main issue is how you will solve the problems that arise during the day, what resources you will turn to, what solutions you will find, and so on. Our young people, unfortunately, are not adapted to the problems and challenges of the modern era.
– ADA is a university where even presidents from various parts of the world come to hold conferences and meetings. Isn't this process difficult for you?
– Our main mission is to introduce Azerbaijan to the world and connect the world with Azerbaijan. In the last 7 years, the President has also held conferences at ADA University. Ilham Aliyev sends messages to the world from ADA University, using it as a platform. We have connections with 130 universities worldwide, and we have regular communication with professors and experts.
– ADA University will turn 20. In your opinion, what has ADA given to Azerbaijan over these years?
– ADA restored respect for higher education in Azerbaijan. Because, as we mentioned earlier, in the 90s, unfortunately, the level of higher education had fallen very low, and there were many negative occurrences in this field. ADA restored that hope and showed that there can be an honest, transparent university in Azerbaijan, where a teacher can enter the auditorium and think only about the lesson. In short, we have restored society's hope regarding education.
– What would be your recommendations to Azerbaijani youth?
– I studied and learned English in 1992 by lamplight, in a cold room, wearing a coat. Today's youth have not seen those conditions; they do not know its difficulty. When I talk about this to my daughter, she says, "Dad, you've started talking about World War II again." My advice to today's youth is to be active, develop themselves, and most importantly, believe in themselves. Today, all conditions exist in Azerbaijan for the development and advancement of young people. It just remains for young people to take advantage of it…
– Mr. Fariz, do you think you have become bureaucratized in these two years?
– I hope not.
