The 2nd Alumni Forum brings together education stakeholders

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The Center for Innovations in Education (CIE) was delighted to participate in the organization of the 2nd Alumni Education Forum along with the U.S.-Educated Azerbaijani Alumni Association (AAA), and the Azerbaijan University of Languages’ American Center on June 20th, 2013.

Supported by the Ministry of Education (MoE), whose leadership changed this spring for the first time in 15 years, this Forum offered an important avenue for civil society and researchers to exchange ideas about current educational issues with high-level policymakers. The event also brought together representatives from state agencies, embassies and higher education institutions.

The idea was initiated by the AAA and builds upon the 1st Alumni Forum organized in 2012; however, this year, the focus changed from providing a platform for returning U.S. educated alumni to share their experiences abroad, to an open call for proposals for solid academic and empirical research in the field of education. Out of 24 abstracts submitted to the open call for proposals 10 were developed into a full paper and out of those 6 were selected to be presented at the Forum. These six studies touched issues of school management, the important link between the development of industry and higher education, teacher training and development, the a comparison of university admissions between IDP and regular schools,  the cooperation of state actors in the provision of a full package of social services to children, and an examination of trends in the masters admissions  examinations.

In addition to participating in the organization of the 2nd Alumni Forum, CIE is hoping to continue cooperation with AAA, the American Center and the MoE to create a system of research conferences and round-tables for evidence-based policy making that is informed by solid academic research. This Education Forum Series is expected to develop high quality educational and social science research in Azerbaijan and provide a link between civil society, independent researchers and policy makers, including the MoE.

Below are five specific goals for the continuation of the Education Forum format:

  • Bringing together all education stakeholders, including civil society, academics, policy makers, and students in an open and participatory discussion
  • Raising the quality of educational research in Azerbaijan
  • Connecting these stakeholders to the Ministry of Education
  • Providing a platform through which research can influence policy and;
  • Providing opportunities for the Ministry to cooperate with researchers on high priority issues on the policy agenda of the Ministry.

To read the full vision statement place see CIE’s Slideshare page.

 
 

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