On April 29-30, 2016, a training seminar was held at Lankaran State University as part of the “Establishment of a Foundation for the Integration of Disabled People into HEIs of Azerbaijan” (ESFIDIP) TEMPUS project. The main goal of the training was to inform Lankaran State University staff members, instructors and students about disabilities and their characteristics, related legislation, inclusive education, teaching methods, and ethical treatment of students with disabilities.

The training seminar included three parts. The first part was led by Melek Karimova (Assistant Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Khazar University) for Lankaran State University instructors; the second part was led by trainer Rima Mammadova (project manager and coordinator for the Center for Students with Disabilities) for university staff members. At the end of the training seminars there was a question-and-answer session, and participants shared their opinions.

The third portion of the training took place on April 30, Trainers Baybala Ibadullayeva (Vice President of the Union of Organizations for Disabled People), Saraya Safaraliyeva (member of Union of Organizations for Disabled People), and Rima Mammadova taught Lankaran State University students. The students were very interested in the training, which sparked a great deal of discussion. They asked the trainers many questions and made suggestions.

In the afternoon of the same day, the trainers and Lankaran State University’s project work group (Ramiz Shamammadov, Kamran Kazimov, Aynur Bunyadova, Ulvi Maharramov and Zur Mammadov) met with Professor Nizami Yusubov, Acting Rector of Lankaran State University. Prof. Yusubov greeted the project participants and spoke about recent projects in the university, including current and planned international projects. He noted the importance of the project on a national scale and also stated his expectation that Lankaran State University would become an active center serving the entire southern region.