The fourth iteration of the Management Training Course for Potential School Directors at Khazar University began on April 2nd and ended on June 30th. On September 30th, a graduation ceremony was held to award certificates to participants who successfully completed the course. The fifth iteration of the course is now underway with new participants.

The main objective of the course is to increase the knowledge and skills of school directors and educational workers interested in working as school directors in the future in accordance with the new education strategy and the educational reforms of the country. Classes took place 4 days a week for 12 weeks with a total of 16 hours a week. Subjects were taught by Raziya Isayeva, the university’s Development Center Director (Educational Administration); Elza Semedli, Dean of the School of Education (Curriculum Application and Management); Dr. Nuru Safarov, Head of the Department of Electronics, Telecommunications and Radio Engineering (Information/Communication Technologies); and Khazar University instructors Akif Alizade (Education Law), Elkhan Beylerov (Psychometrics), Melek Karimova (Education Psychology), Vusal Mammadrzayev (Statistics) and Aynur Mammadrzayeva (Finance).

During the course, a “Guest Lecture Seminar” series was held for participants in the university’s Marble Hall. Professor Hamlet Isaxanli, Founder of Khazar University and Chairman of its Board of Directors and Trustees, gave a lecture on the topic of “Educational Administration: from Theory to Practice.” Rima Mammadova, the project manager of ESFIDIP, spoke about “360 Degree Interaction with Students with Disabilities,” and Mahabbat Valiyeva, Chair of the Baku City Board of Education, spoke about “Qualities and Skills that General School Directors are Expected to Have.”

The course’s classroom sessions included presentations for the participants, discussions, and conversations over tea. The participants stated that the course was very significant for them and that they had been able to apply theoretical and practical knowledge gained through the course.

H. Isaxanli opened the graduation ceremony with a speech about the significance of this course at Khazar University and the challenges remaining for school directors. Tunzala Zeynalova, a graduate of the first iteration of the course who has been working as the director of School no. 283 in the Binagadi District of Baku for two years, made a speech about the role this course played in her career.

Then certificates were awarded to the 54 graduates of the course in two groups. The certificates were handed out by H. Isaxanli; Associate Professor Jabir Khalilov, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences; R. Isayeva; E. Semedli; N. Safarov and participating instructors. After the certificates were presented, the graduates took a vow:

“I swear to uphold the laws and constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic as I remain faithful to traditions of Azerbaijani education; to provide quality education; never to allow unethical behavior in any way during the time of my professional service; to base my relationships with my colleagues, students, parents and others on respect, honor and dignity; and to preserve the name and the honor of the educational profession!”

Then the audience watched slide shows for each group of graduates that had been made under the leadership of Natella Barkaya, Director of the Multimedia Center, to show their progression through the course.

On behalf of the graduates, Sevda Alishova and Fargana Aliyeva made speeches to thank R. Isayeva, E. Semedova and the other course organizers. Group photos were taken.

Then a concert was performed under the leadership of Zulfiyya Sadigova, head of the Khazar University Department of Music and Fine Arts, including performances of the university’s Chamber Orchestra and the Yalli Student Dance Ensemble. Meritorious Artist Farid Aliyev, Khazar University instructor and soloist of the Opera and Ballet Theater, also performed various songs.