The chairman of the Justice, Law, Democracy (AHD) Party and Member of Parliament, Gudrat Hasanguliyev, answered questions from Xalqcəbhəsi.az.
We present the interview:
– Gudrat bey, in your statements to the press, you mentioned that there might be personnel reforms in the country. Who could be dismissed?
– Everyone can express their opinion on this matter, but it is a matter that falls under the exclusive authority of the President. I believe that those who want to present their silly and low-class behavior as modernity because they cannot distinguish themselves otherwise, those who are perceived by society as clowns due to their incomprehensible statements, those who accept being humiliated in front of an influential audience with a disgusting, sycophantic look and respond with laughter, those who cause the situation to worsen instead of making positive progress in the field they lead, and those who cause dissatisfaction in society should not hold high government positions.
– One of the issues causing serious dissatisfaction in society is the lack of transparency in the selection of students for studying abroad within the framework of the State Program. We would like to know your thoughts on this…
– It is not just the issue you mentioned; the failure to eliminate tutoring, which has become a heavy burden for parents, and the fact that educational loans are not accessible to all students are also issues causing serious dissatisfaction. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Education has not done any work in this direction to change the situation for many years. Recently, in one of my interviews, I touched upon an issue that should concern us all: in 2025, 12,969 students in our country were expelled from educational institutions because they could not pay their tuition fees. No serious decision is being made to prevent universities from issuing diplomas to illiterate students. I have also made proposals to solve these problems. (https://www.xalqcebhesi.az/news/politics/255422.html).
I had also heard about negative cases during the selection of students for studying abroad. Recently, my niece, Nigar Jalilova, participated in the competition to study abroad within the framework of that program. Nigar was accepted into the computer science department of UCL (University College London). This university ranks 8th in the world ranking table of universities that the Ministry of Education refers to when selecting students.
Nigar graduated from the Turkish Lyceum with an honors diploma. She scored 1540 on the SAT exams and 7.5 on the IELTS, which are accepted by prestigious universities around the world. She has been among the winners of over 27 olympiads and competitions.
Look at the successes she has achieved in education:
1. AP Scholar with Honor award (2026)
2. Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad — Gold award (2025)
3. Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad — Gold award (2024)
4. Copernicus Math Olympiad final stage — Bronze award (2024)
5. American Math Olympiad — Bronze award (2024)
6. Neoscience — Gold award (2024)
7. International Math Competition — Gold award (2024)
8. Singapore International Math Olympiad (2023)
• Math Olympiad competition — Silver award
• Mental sports — Gold award
• Math warriors — Bronze award
• 9. Republican Subject Competition, Biology subject — Bronze award (2022)
Such a talented student was not included in the Program by the Ministry of Education, and I could not protect her rights. This year, 125 students were selected for the bachelor’s level for studying abroad; let the relevant officials conduct an investigation to see how many of them have indicators superior to Nigar’s achievements. When Nigar left the competition, she told her parents that they were very satisfied with her, but her parents said that negative cases would block her, and that is exactly what happened. I, on the other hand, was trying to convince them that those who bear the title of educator would not act so unfairly. The Ministry of Education does not post the names of those who apply to participate in the Program and the students included in the Program, their results, or video materials of the competition on internet resources so that children who are left out of the competition and representatives of the public can make comparisons. Then it will also be known which schools and lyceums’ students are preferred and why lower-ranked universities are favored. I will provide Nigar’s results for you to publish; let the Ministry of Education also disclose the indicators of the 125 people it included in the Program, and then everything will be clear.
What also disappoints me greatly is that the First Vice-President of the country holds a meeting with the heads of relevant government agencies regarding the development and application of information technologies in our country, the meeting leads to extensive discussions due to its relevance, and I have also expressed my opinion on this matter (https://www.xalqcebhesi.az/news/politics/254089.html), parliament makes amendments to legislation providing privileges for those working in this field and experts coming from abroad, but students like Nigar are prevented from studying computer science at a prestigious foreign university.
Let’s take a look at her CV:
EDUCATION
• Honors certificate of complete secondary education (09.2024–06.2026)
• Turkiye Diyanet Foundation Baku Turkish Lyceum, Baku, Azerbaijan Final grade: 5.00/5.00
• Honors certificate of general secondary education (09.2019–06.2024)
• Turkiye Diyanet Foundation Baku Turkish Lyceum, Baku, Azerbaijan Final grade: 5.00/5.00
CERTIFICATES
• AP (05.2026)
• AP Calculus BC – 5
• AP Calculus AB additional score – 5
• AP Physics 1 – 5
• AP Computer Science A – 4
• AP Physics C: Mechanics – 4
SAT (13.09.2025)
• Total score – 1540
• Reading and Writing – 740
• Mathematics – 800
IELTS (27.12.2024)
• CEFR level – C1
• Overall score – 7.5
• Listening – 8.0
• Reading – 8.5
• Writing – 6.5
• Speaking – 6.0
AWARDS
AP Scholar with Honor award (2026)
Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad — Gold award (2025) Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad — Gold award (2024) Copernicus Math Olympiad final stage — Bronze award (2024) American Math Olympiad — Bronze award (2024)
Neoscience — Gold award (2024)
International Math Competition — Gold award (2024)
Singapore International Math Olympiad (2023)
• Math Olympiad competition — Silver award
• Mental sports — Gold award
• Math warriors — Bronze award
Republican Subject Competition, Biology subject — Bronze award (2022)
PUBLICATIONS
Analysis of log records in cybersecurity analytics and integration of artificial intelligence methods
• Prepared in co-authorship with Hilala Jafarova, a teacher at the Azerbaijan State University of Economics.
• The article explores the application of artificial intelligence methods to increase the efficiency of log record analysis in cybersecurity analytics.
Authors: Hilala Jafarova, Nigar Jalilova
Publication name: XIII International New York Conference on Emerging Trends in Interdisciplinary Research and Practices
Volume, issue and page: p. 392
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
• Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku, Azerbaijan (09.2025)
• Volunteer team member
• I informed participants and foreign visitors during the four-day event.
• I helped with organizational work.
ISchool Summer Camp, Baku, Azerbaijan (06.2025–07.2025)
Volunteer teaching assistant
• Collaborated with teachers and assisted in completing their tasks.
• Taught English to primary school students.
• Supported students regarding the content of lessons.
MEMBERSHIPS
• European Youth Parliament, Azerbaijan (2025–present)
Delegate / official member
• I participate in events held to discuss the problems of the modern world and determine ways to solve them.
• During the events, I repeatedly joined discussions as a debater, developing my communication and problem-solving skills.
Children’s Ambassadors Assembly, Baku, Azerbaijan (2025–present)
Active member
• I participate in events held for the protection of children’s rights.
• I increase my knowledge through courses organized by the Assembly.
EUROPEAN YOUTH PARLIAMENT AZERBAIJAN
EYP Azerbaijan’s Finance Summit (16.01.2026–19.01.2026)
• Certificate for successful participation as a delegate.
EYP Azerbaijan’s XIII Mobile Session (06.12.2025–07.12.2025)
• Certificate for successful participation as a delegate.
EYP Azerbaijan’s XI National Selection Conference (08.08.2025–12.08.2025)
• Certificate for successful participation as a delegate.
EXTRACURRICULAR COURSES
• Animation Fundamentals course at SONY Animation (2025)
• Completed a beginner-level animation course.
• Learned the basics of frame sequencing and storytelling, and applied the new skills I gained in short animations.
Music education at the Gara Garayev Central Art School (2017–2024)
• Completed my seven-year education in piano, music theory, and music knowledge with a diploma.
• Performed as a pianist in school concerts or as part of a choir as a soprano.
• During my education years, I developed my discipline, long-term commitment, and creativity skills.
SKILLS
Language skills: Azerbaijani (native); English (C1); Russian (C1); Turkish (C1)
Programming skills: Java, Python, HTML
Creative skills: storytelling, drawing, illustration
Other skills: teamwork and collaboration, problem-solving and critical thinking, effective communication
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
Visual arts
Engaging in both traditional sketching and digital illustration.
Photography
Relevant government agencies should not remain indifferent to information about such abuses. The selection of students for prestigious foreign universities should be entrusted to the State Examination Center, which has maintained its image and is trusted by people.
Recently, I met with the father of a student who received admission from universities like Oxford and Cambridge to study for a master’s degree in economics. Unfortunately, the son of that person, who did not want his name disclosed, was also not included in the State Program. He also presented me with his proposals for increasing transparency and preventing abuse during the selection of students. I will ask you to publish those proposals as well.
Problems in the implementation of the State Program
• The number, academic background, experience, and qualifications of DPIG employees do not seem to fully match the existing workload. The selection process conducted is often more complex than the admission procedures of universities. We usually see experienced academic staff in addition to administrative staff on admission teams. Communication between DPIG employees and applicants is extremely weak, and candidates do not receive timely and detailed information on many issues.
• There are serious inconsistencies in the formation of the university and program list. Let me give an example from my field. In many cases, finance programs are under the economics heading, and sometimes economics programs are under the finance heading. When I showed my professor the UK economics programs that were and were not on the list for economics, he was extremely surprised. It is incomprehensible that the LSE Msc Economics, considered the number one economics master’s program in Europe, is not on the list, while a master’s program at the University of Milan, which is ranked 270th and gives 100% admission (almost every applicant gets accepted), is included in the list. A program included in the list at a lower-ranked university is financed, but a candidate who has received admission from Oxford, Cambridge, or another high-level university can be left out due to a subjective interview.
• The late start of the process and the late announcement of results put students at serious financial and academic risks. A student waiting for the result must either pay at their own expense or face the danger of losing their place at the university. For example, this year, an applicant I know named Leyla received an unconditional admission from Cambridge University but received a rejection from the State Program and lost the 15,000 AZN deposit she paid to the university.
• The health certificate causes excessive loss of time and resources for both health institutions and students. No disease limits the right to education. Considering that every applicant has finished the previous level of education, what is the need for this? Even if someone has an illness, they will not be sicker than Stephen Hawking. If necessary, the receiving country requires the necessary analyses, vaccines, etc., in the visa procedure. It could at least be requested after the winners are announced.
• There is a contradiction between the concept of a “prestigious university” and the decision for an individual interview. The program itself presents the number of those studying at top universities as the main indicator of success. Top universities are specifically highlighted every year. However, there should be a stronger, more detailed, and measurable justification for the local interview commission to rate the professional knowledge of a candidate who has passed the serious admission process of a top university as low. It would not be correct for university admission to automatically mean a scholarship, but the weight of that admission should be higher than 3-4 subjective questions from a field expert. The questions of field experts are not standard.
• There is no appeal mechanism. It is positive that the interviews are video-recorded. However, in the open parts of the selection rules, the candidate does not have the right to watch the video, demand that the scores be re-checked by an independent commission, or file a formal appeal within a specific period. If the video is only stored but the candidate cannot use it to check the decision, its transparency function remains limited.
• Article 4.21 of the Cabinet of Ministers decision, which you refer to in every article, is violated (4.21 The candidate’s final score is sent to the candidate’s electronic personal cabinet and other contact details indicated in the electronic application). Therefore, a general reason like “knowledge and skills in the specialty are low” does not allow the candidate to realistically understand where they showed a weak result and to check the correctness of the decision.
• Concepts such as “knowledge in the specialty,” “logical reasoning,” and “self-confidence” can be interpreted broadly. The open rules do not show concrete behavioral indicators, standard questions, a correct answer framework, or unified assessment for specialties corresponding to each score level. This creates the risk that the same answer will be evaluated differently by different commissions. For example, the measurable difference between “specialty knowledge at the 19-point level” and “specialty knowledge at the 12-point level” is not explained to the candidate in advance.
• Prioritizing the interview over academic indicators and other criteria. Everywhere in the world, work and academic interviews are a supporting factor, not a decisive one. DP, on the other hand, resets all background and academic indicators after the document submission is completed. Let’s imagine such a scenario: You, a Columbia master’s graduate, and another graduate from a mid-level university participate in interviews for a PhD program from commissions from two different teams, and there is no criterion or standard. Your rival surpasses you with one subjective point. Giving this much authority and responsibility to the interview commission is not correct. For example, at Oxford University, the weight of interviews ranges from 10-15 percent depending on the specialty. In the state program, it is 100%, and other criteria are looked at only if the scores are equal. The problem is not the existence of the interview, but the excessive decision-making authority given to the interview.
• The mismatch of document requirements with the procedures of foreign universities. The first time, they returned my documents and gave me 3 days. The required document was the equivalent of a First Class degree in the Azerbaijani grading scale. The second time, they asked for another document and gave me 24 hours. Oxford did not require a language certificate from me. DP, on the other hand, was writing to me to provide a language certificate for Oxford. It is not about the language certificate required by DP; I had already submitted it to DP. At the end of the letter, it was written in a threatening manner that I would be excluded from the program if I did not submit the document within 24 hours. It turns out that a delay in the university administration, which is not under the candidate’s control, can cause them to be left out of the program.
• The delay in financing creates many problems for students that are not visible on the surface.
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