In recent years, the issue of changing the geographical balance of the higher education system in Azerbaijan has once again become one of the main topics on the agenda. The excessive concentration of universities in the capital, coupled with limited higher education opportunities in the regions, further increases the necessity of reforms in this area. Precisely for this reason, proposals regarding the relocation of higher education institutions to the regions, as well as existing branches gaining independent university status, are being discussed more seriously.
Currently, the idea of transforming the Shaki branch of Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University, the Gazakh branch of Baku State University, and the Zagatala branch of Azerbaijan State University of Economics into separate higher education institutions is at the center of these discussions.
On the other hand, the question arises as to how such changes will affect the future fate of higher education institutions in the capital. Strengthening universities in the regions also brings to the agenda the possibility of closing or merging some higher education institutions in Baku.
Education expert Elchin Afandi, commenting on the matter to Modern.az, stated that the issue of relocating universities to the regions is currently under discussion, and one of the main proposals within this framework is the transformation of branches into independent higher education institutions. According to him, such a step could significantly contribute to the social, economic, and tourism development of the regions.
The expert noted that it might be more logical and appropriate for the Shaki, Jalilabad, and Guba branches of the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University to acquire separate university status.
“For example, if these branches operate independently as Shaki State University, Jalilabad State University, it would both increase access to education and impact the development of the regions,” he emphasized.
The expert stated that the same approach could be applied to other higher education institutions, meaning the Gazakh branch of Baku State University could gain independent university status as Gazakh State University, and similarly, branches of other higher education institutions in the regions could also acquire separate university status. He believes that, in such a case, the infrastructure of these branches should also be strengthened, and conditions should be created for the local population to pursue higher education in their own region. According to Elchin Afandi, many countries around the world have their own university in each region, and this model is successfully implemented.
In addition, the expert commented on the speculations regarding the fate of universities in the capital. He noted that the establishment of new universities in the regions does not mean the immediate closure of higher education institutions in Baku.
"The number of students studying in the capital is quite high, and therefore, the process should be carried out in stages. Only after a certain period and once regional universities become attractive to students can the issue of optimizing some higher education institutions with similar profiles be considered," he concluded.
