March 27 is Science Day in Azerbaijan. Considering the importance of science in the development of society, Science Day was established in Azerbaijan by the Decree of President Ilham Aliyev dated April 9, 2018.
Modern.az reports that this date holds special significance as it coincides with a remarkable time for the country – the day the AMEA was founded. After the establishment of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences in 1945, a perfect organizational structure for science was formed in the republic, and the implementation of scientific research acquired a systematic character.
National Leader Heydar Aliyev showed great attention and care for the development of science during both periods of his leadership in our country. The rapid development phase of the Academy is associated with the name of the Great Leader. Thanks to his attention and care, the Academy of Sciences played an exceptional role in the effective organization of the nation's intellectual potential, in determining the strategic directions of science arising from the demands of the era, and in the development of fundamental and applied scientific fields. The challenging and glorious path taken by the Academy is not only a significant historical stage in the development of our science but also an important indicator of the scientific-social movement and cultural-technical processes that demonstrate the broad capabilities of science, the voice of scientists, and the position of intellectuals in the progress of our country. The 20th century constitutes a special stage in the systematic development of science in our country.
The development of science in Azerbaijan is one of the main priorities of state policy. To this end, relevant decrees and orders have been signed by President Ilham Aliyev for the implementation of reforms in this area, the elimination of existing problems, the fulfillment of strategic tasks facing science, and the ensuring of the sustainable development of science in the country. The work carried out in connection with the implementation of the “National Strategy for the Development of Science in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2009-2015” and the “State Program for the Implementation of the National Strategy for the Development of Science in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2009-2015” has given a great impetus to the overall development of our science. According to the Decree of the Head of State dated August 9, 2016, the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Science” came into force for the first time. This Law defines the main principles of state policy in the field of organization, management, and development of scientific activity in the republic, the objectives of science and scientific-innovation activity, the rights and duties of subjects of scientific activity, the mechanisms of science funding, and the organizational and legal bases for stimulating scientific achievements and their utilization.
According to the Decree of President Ilham Aliyev dated July 28, 2022, “On Some Measures to Improve Management in the Field of Science and Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan”, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan was renamed the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Powers related to the implementation of state policy and regulation in the field of science, and the coordination and direction of the scientific activities of scientific institutions and organizations were entrusted to the ministry. The State Agency for Science and Higher Education and the State Agency for Preschool and General Education were established under the Ministry. AMEA and the Ministry of Science and Education began to operate jointly in implementing science policy in our country. Some of the scientific institutions and organizations, as well as other bodies within AMEA, were transferred to the subordination of the Ministry of Science and Education.
In 2022, another bright page was written in the history of education – the bell rang for the first time in 29 years at the Aghali village full secondary school in Zangilan district, liberated from Armenian occupation. In Aghali village of Zangilan, which is part of the East Zangazur Economic Region, a two-story school building with a capacity for 360 students was commissioned on September 15 last year – on Knowledge Day.
According to the “Socio-Economic Development Strategy for 2022–2026”, the implementation of reforms in the field of education has been identified as one of the main goals. It is envisaged to continue reforms in general education, expand the scope of vocational education, increase the accessibility and inclusivity of higher education, and implement measures in many other directions.
Significant measures are being implemented towards the integration of Azerbaijani science into world science, both by our state and by scientists working in various research and higher education institutions of the republic. Opportunities are created for scientists, especially young people, to attend advanced training courses and conduct research in scientific institutions of leading countries worldwide, and their participation in international scientific projects is ensured. At the same time, important steps are being taken to modernize the scientific and technical infrastructure in our country and to strengthen the material and technical base of research institutions in accordance with their status and objectives. Furthermore, ensuring the integration of science and education and improving the system for training highly qualified scientific personnel are among the main tasks facing Azerbaijani science. Thus, the training of scientific personnel through doctoral, dissertation, and master's programs is being raised to a qualitatively new level.
Today, the main principles of the state's policy and strategy in the field of science in the Republic of Azerbaijan are being implemented in a defined manner, in accordance with modern requirements.
Ensuring the continuous and systematic development of science, adapting the institutional system and funding mechanisms of scientific activity to world standards, ensuring the effective use of scientific potential in the development of all aspects of public life, modernizing the material and technical base and infrastructure of science, etc., are the main objectives of state policy in the field of science.
