“In some mass media outlets, in relevant advertisements by study abroad companies, and in posts by individuals presenting themselves as education ‘experts’, our citizens are being encouraged to study ‘online’ through distance or full-time education forms without traveling to universities located in foreign countries, with promises that their diplomas will be recognized.”
APA reports that this was reflected in the information released by the Quality Assurance in Education Agency.
It was stated that the Quality Assurance in Education Agency does not cooperate with any companies or individuals in the field of study abroad, including recognition procedures, and bears no responsibility for their activities.
It was noted that currently, recognition—the confirmation of the validity of foreign higher education qualifications within the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan—is carried out based on the “Rules for the Recognition of Foreign Higher Education Qualifications” approved by the Decree of the President No. 2306 dated August 18, 2023, only in relation to qualifications obtained through formal full-time or distance education forms based on traditional teaching methods.
“According to the rules, regarding qualifications corresponding to secondary specialized education, bachelor’s (basic (base higher) medical education), and master’s levels, it is required that the applicant be present in the territory of the country where they are studying for at least half of the normative duration of education provided for the relevant qualification during each academic year (for medical and health specialties, presence in the territory of the country of study for the normative duration of education is required); regarding qualifications corresponding to secondary specialized education, bachelor’s (basic (base higher) medical education), and master’s levels, it is required that the applicant obtain formal education based on traditional teaching methods for at least two-thirds of the study period (for medical and health specialties, formal education based on traditional teaching methods for the normative duration of education is required).
Thus, to meet the requirements of the rules, it is a condition that the person is physically present in the country of study for at least 4 months per academic year for full-time education and at least 21 months in total over the total study period (for medical and health specialties, presence in the territory of the country of study for the entire period of the normative duration of education is required). In this case, the requirements for both clauses are met. As for distance education, to meet the requirements of the rules, it is required that the applicant be present in the country of study for 25 days per academic year. It is necessary that the mentioned period covers the study period.
Additionally, we recommend that our citizens familiarize themselves with the mentioned Rules (https://e-qanun.az/framework/54957), as well as the questions in the FAQ section at https://tkta.edu.az/az/media/faq.
In conclusion, we urge citizens who wish to pursue higher education abroad and their family members to take these points into account,” the statement noted.