Page 51 - Azerbaijan State University of Economics

Turan Suleymanov: Transformation of Higher Education in Azerbaijan: Reforms, Policies and Current Trends

REGIONAL COMPETITION IN HIGHER EDUCATION
One of the changes observed in the higher education system of Azerbaijan in recent
years is the strengthening of regional competition in higher education. For a long
time, there was a short list of options for students to pursue higher education in the
regions. For example, state universities, mainly located in Ganja and Lankaran
were often the only option for students to study in the relevant regions. However, a
number of large public universities have also been increasing their presence in the
regional higher education market by opening new branches in the regions. For
example, the Zagatala branch of the Azerbaijan State University of Economics
(UNEC) and the Agjabadi, Jalillabad, Guba, Shamakhi and Sheki branches of the
Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University (ASPU)created new opportunities for
applicants located in and around these districts and regions. Entrance of such big
state universities to these regions provides a new competitive environment for
regional universities.

INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL RANKINGS

Under the influence of the increase in the quality of education and
internationalisation in the higher education system of Azerbaijan, the interest in
international rating agencies, which determine the ranking of world and regional
universities, has also increased. International rankings can also be seen as a unit of
measurement of university scientific activity, the quality of education and
internationalisation. In recent years, several regional directors of world-renowned
rating companies such as QS and Times Higher Education have visited Azerbaijan
and organised trainings and seminars in this field in Azerbaijan (UNEC, 2019).

Azerbaijani universities have been taking a number of steps to participate in
international rankings, and some universities are even implementing action plans in
this direction. Many Azerbaijani universities view their results in international
rankings as an indicator of the quality of education at the university and an
expression of the university's strong image. It should also be noted that 2 indicators
of the QS rating organisation, which is included in the regional and world rankings
of many Azerbaijani universities, with a weight of 50%, are calculated on the basis
of a survey of academics and employers (QS , 2020). In order to score high on these
questionnaires, universities need to be recognised by relevant stakeholders in the
local and international higher education, research and job markets. In this regard,
branding plays a very important role and helps to achieve high results. Also, the
steps taken by universities to improve results on other criteria, such as the number of
articles and citations to them, the ratio of international teachers and students to

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