Fourth graduation ceremony of dual degree program between ASPU and George Washington University held
The fourth graduation ceremony of the dual degree master’s program jointly implemented by Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University (ASPU) and George Washington University (GWU), one of the leading institutions in the United States, was held on May 29. The event was attended by Emin Amrullayev, Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli, Vice President for Communications and External Affairs of bp in the Caspian region, Michael Feuer, Dean of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development at GWU, Professor Colin Green, officials from the Ministry of Science and Education and the State Oil Fund, as well as representatives from ASPU and GWU, and program graduates.
The ceremony commenced with the entrance of the university flags and the academic procession of the program’s faculty and students, accompanied by the solemn graduation anthem.
In his opening speech, ASPU Rector Professor Jafar Jafarov congratulated the graduates and wished them continued success. He noted that the dual degree master’s program in Education Policy and Management, implemented within the framework of the “State Program for Increasing the International Competitiveness of the Higher Education System in Azerbaijan for 2019–2023” signed by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, is a result of the collaboration between ASPU and GWU. This year, 37 students have graduated from the program. Since its inception in 2020, the program has produced 83 graduates in the previous three years, bringing the total number of graduates to 120.
Professor Jafarov emphasized that this program has laid the foundation for a significant innovation in the Azerbaijani education system. He highlighted the program’s role in strengthening academic ties between Azerbaijan and the United States, enhancing exchange and cooperation in the field of education, and preparing future leaders in education. He expressed confidence that the knowledge and skills acquired through the program would make a substantial contribution to the development of the national education system.
Following that, Michael Feuer spoke about the program’s success. He noted that the education partnership between Azerbaijan and the United States has reached a strategic level and that such academic collaborations contribute to the advancement of international scientific exchange.
In his address, Minister Emin Amrullayev highlighted the strategic significance of the program within the framework of state education policy. He underlined that several dual degree programs have been implemented under the “State Program for Increasing the International Competitiveness of the Higher Education System in Azerbaijan for 2019–2023” approved by President Ilham Aliyev, and the positive impact of these programs is already visible. More than a thousand individuals have graduated from these programs, gaining the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to both their personal development and the country's future.
Minister Amrullayev also expressed his gratitude to the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan, noting that these initiatives are clear examples of transforming the country's oil revenues into human capital, in line with the concept of turning "black gold into human gold." He emphasized that graduates, by combining the knowledge and experience of two different education systems, will contribute to the application of modern management and teaching models within the local education system.
At the end of the ceremony, honorary diplomas were presented to the 2023/2024 academic year graduates of the ASPU-GWU dual degree master’s program in Education Policy and Management.
The official event concluded with a group photo.
The dual degree program is implemented with the support of the Ministry of Science and Education, the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan, and the State Program Management Unit.
