Dear students,

We are currently in a temporary unusual lifestyle due to a new type of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. To date, more than half-million people worldwide have contracted the disease and more than 26,000 have died. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it as a “global health emergency” (pandemic). If we look at the history of global infectious diseases in the past, these figures are very low. However, these figures are growing every day, and it is in our hands to prevent the growing pandemic in a timely manner. It is important to stay home to break the chain of transmission, to quarantine oneself when feeling the first signs of the disease, and to follow WHO guidelines.

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan has made several decisions to keep people at home in order to prevent infection (https://cabmin.gov.az/az/article/747/).

The Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan proposed to use the Microsoft Teams platform in order to organize the distant learning process.

Prior to the spring break, several Khazar University professors began applying Skype, Zoom, and the Microsoft Teams platform.

The faculties have already organized classes with the Microsoft Teams platform and presented them to teachers. The situation here is as follows:

• Delivering lessons according to the schedule provided for the semester;
• Students access to the "Teams" class with Khazar University’s email addresses;
• The participation of a representative of the faculty or department in the "Teams" class in order to support the organization of classes and provide statistics to management.

On March 23, the entire board of the University held a meeting to assess the current situation, the quality of the distance learning process (duration of the semester, methods of conducting tests and exams, their timing, the status of students studying abroad through exchange programs, etc.) and also envisaged to prepare new action plan for the university on other proposals. These proposals will be developed and presented to you soon.

Persons involved in the organization of classes at the schools have been assigned. Their contact information is as follows. Please give preference to e-mail correspondence and make call to the contact persons only during business hours if there is an urgent need:

• School of Economics and Management

Khanim Omeroghlu

Tel: 055 221 65 74

E-mail: khnabiyeva@khazar.org

• School of Sciences and Engineering

Vafa Aslanova

Tel: 070 973 72 63

E-mail: vaslanova@khazar.org

• School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences

Aygun Verdiyeva

Tel: 055 877 19 86

E-mail: averdiyeva@khazar.org

As you may be well aware, Khazar University is committed to the quality of the educational process, as well as very serious about the health of university staff and students. In this regard, please stay at home and take care of your health, check your e-mail every day for university instructions, remotely attend your classes, follow the information carefully, and keep in touch with each other. Please do not hesitate to keep in contact with relevant people via email if you have any questions.

Stay safe and keep well,

Irada Khalilova

Rector