AZƏRBAYCAN RESPUBLİKASININ ELM VƏ TƏHSİL NAZİRLİYİ Bakı Dövlət Universiteti

On October 18, 1991, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted the “Constitutional Act on the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan." The political processes in the first years of independence negatively affected the Republic's life, including the University. In the University, the harmony of the educational process was disrupted; there was a lag in the quality of education and scientific research. There has been an increase in the number of students who pass the lectures. The massive involvement of students and instructors in the battles for Karabakh, the difficult situation on the front, the increase in the number of martyrs, and the tense political processes in the Country as a whole have also affected the University. The teaching staff and students also provided all kinds of assistance to the wounded, the families of the martyrs, the refugees, and the displaced persons. On the other hand, the negative circumstances in education, the creation of many private universities without a logistical base, and the arbitrariness and chaos that prevailed in the Country have brought the educational process into a deadlock.

With the transition of higher education to a multi-level system (baccalaureate, master's degree) by the "Law on Education" of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan, adopted in 1992, from the 1993/1994 academic year in BSU made a transition to a two-level education system. In the same year, the first classes were held at the bachelor's level of Baku State University (BSU), and in 1997, at the level of masters. By the requirements of the time, starting in 1992, the list of socio-political and economic sciences included Philosophy, History of Philosophy, Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Ethics, Aesthetics, Political History, Sociology, Political Science, and Political Economics. In connection with the multi-level education system, substantial changes were made to the University's structure and the faculty's organization. New faculties, cabinets, departments, and research laboratories began to function. Since 1992, an English section has been established at BSU. 

The strategic line implemented in education after the return to the leadership of the Country of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, ensured the further development of BSU and other educational institutions. The annual funds allocated to the University and the increase in the enrollment of students have enabled important educational reforms to be carried out in the University to expand the staffing capacity, strengthen the logistical and technical base, and form a new structure. BSU, which began the period of its revival, has restored the functions of an important scientific and educational center as the leading higher education institution of the independent state. This situation allowed BSU to establish links with the leading universities and scientific centers of the world. The organization of education at the University by international standards has led to the continuation of the training of personnel for foreign countries even during the period of independence.

By the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On the Improvement of the Education System in the Republic of Azerbaijan" of June 13, 2000, BSU was granted the status of a higher education institution operating based on the principle of self-government. 

The most important evaluations of the activities of the university were made during its anniversaries. The 75th (1994) and 80th (1999) anniversaries of the university were solemnly celebrated by the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, and with his participation. After each anniversary event, new reforms took place at the University. 

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has successfully pursued the strategy of the prominent state figure Heydar Aliyev regarding the further development of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as the policy of the development of culture, science, and education. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, supports the University and its transformation into a modern educational complex. BSU, which began to build its activities to the requirements of the new era under the President's Ilham Aliyev’s patronage, plays an important role in the implementation of educational reforms in the Country. 

Currently, University education is conducted by the reforms carried out based on the state strategy. The main objectives of education are identified in the state programs. To improve the quality of education and science, development policies are introduced in all areas of education. 

Since the 2003/2004 academic year, a multi-point system of evaluation of students' knowledge has been introduced in BSU. BSU also carried out fundamental work on improving the education system, improving the quality of higher education, mobility of students and instructors, and expanding international ties. On May 19, 2005, Azerbaijan joined the Bologna Process and became its full member. By the “Model Regulation on the Organization of Educational Process through Credit System in Higher Education Institutions,"  approved by the order of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan on April 20, 2006, all faculties of the University have gradually started the introduction of credit systems, and this process was fully completed in 2009.  

By the provisions of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) and the Bologna Declaration, the formalization of procedures for ensuring the academic mobility of students and Masters students studying at BSU, the right to free education in higher educational institutions within the Country and abroad, and the determination and recognition of equivalence of credits obtained by the students in disciplines in the institutions of higher education in which they are studying are carried out based on the conclusion of special commissions. 

First Vice President of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, at the 80th Anniversary Ceremony of the University (1999)	President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva at the inauguration ceremony of the new University building (2008)

One of the most important developments in the structure of the University is the steps to transform it into a research university. In this connection, a long time after the opening of the first institute (Institute of Applied Mathematics, 1991), the creation of the Physical Problems Research Institute at BSU based on research laboratories operating at the Faculty of Physics (2005) became an important step.  

Several changes and reforms have been made in the management structure of BSU to improve the quality of scientific research and restructure teaching. Based on the "State Program for the Development of Creative Potential of Talented Children (Youth) (2006-2010)," the "Young Talents" Lyceum, the Faculty of Ecology and Soil Science, the "Russian Center" the Scientific Research Laboratory of Turkic Studies, the Laboratory of Nano-Research, the "Barama" Media Center and the Guba Educational, Experimental, and Recreational Center began to function under the BSU. The Gazakh branch of BSU, a modern educational TV and radio studio under the Faculty of Journalism, and dozens of other institutions were also created. As a follow-up to the structural changes, the Scientific and Training Center of the Faculty of Ecology and Soil Science (2015) was established at the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry of ANAS. The Public Control Council (2016) of the BSU was established; the Gazakh branch of the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University was transferred to the subordination of BSU (2016). 

Along with these changes, significant work has been done to raise science and education to world standards and to integrate domestic science into world science. BSU has also made an important contribution to the development of Azerbaijani education and science over the years of independence. BSU has gained a reputation in the international world in terms of efficiency of research works. Research works of important theoretical and practical significance on actual problems of natural sciences and human sciences have been carried out at the faculties, departments, and scientific structures (institutes, centers, and laboratories) of the University. These research works are characterized not only by their relevance but also by their wide range of directions and priorities. Baku State University actively participates in various international projects and exchange programs (TEMPUS-TASIS, ERASMUS MUNDUS projects of the European Union, Mevlana and Orhun exchange programs involving Turkish states, etc.). The increased focus on science and education has resulted in a significant increase in the number of scientific papers published by university scholars in prestigious journals indexed by international agencies. At the same time, important work is being done to bring Azerbaijani science and research carried out at the university to the attention of the world community at prestigious international conferences. The university's links with international agencies and publishing houses (Clarivate Analytics Agency, Elsevier Academic Publishing House, and others) have created wide opportunities for the university staff. 

In 2016, BSU was awarded the prize "For the Development of Science," established by the agency "Clarivate Analytics" and the Foundation for the Development of Science under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan; the prize "SCOPUS," established for the first time in Azerbaijan by the world-famous academic publishing house "Elsevier" and the Foundation for the Development of Science under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Moreover, the journal "Applied and Computational Mathematics," published at BSU as the only journal with an impact factor in the republic, was also awarded the “SCOPUS Award." As a continuation of this, in 2018, BSU and a number of its employees were awarded the joint prize of "Web of Science Azerbaijan-2018" by the agency "Clarivate Analytics" and the Foundation for the Development of Science under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. "Superpremium," - the main publishing leader among the universities in "Web of Science," was also awarded to Baku State University. In recent years, the number of scientific papers and references to them published by university scientists in journals indexed by international information agencies has been growing rapidly from year to year, which, along with the quantitative growth, is a clear indication of the relevance and quality of the research conducted and the results obtained. 

In recent years, BSU, striving to take a worthy place in the international system of higher education, has been working systematically towards the introduction of distance communication technologies in the educational process, the preparation of teaching materials for distance learning, the creation of an automated management system based on modern information technologies ("Electronic University"), expanding the exchange of experience with leading universities around the world, and inviting renowned foreign scientists and scientific and educational figures. BSU also carries out systematic work on creating conditions for expanding the contingent of foreign students and doctoral students and implements other relevant measures for the above-mentioned purposes. 

One of the reforms implemented in the education system of Azerbaijan was the establishment of “SABAH” groups on the initiative of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The main goal in this is to train competent, qualified, trained young specialists who will contribute to the development of Azerbaijan and implement the training of competent personnel to be competitive in the local and international labor market. SABAH groups have been operating at BSU since the 2014/2015 academic year. 

A significant event, along with the creation of new structures during the reconstruction and reform process at the University, was the commissioning of the new building in 2008. President Ilham Aliyev's extensive speech at the opening ceremony is a manifestation of his high appreciation of the university's role in the country's science and education. 

In 2017, the Baku State University was granted the status of a public legal entity by the relevant Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 

The 90th and 100th anniversaries of the University were also solemnly celebrated. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, took part in both events and at the meeting with the university staff, he highly appreciated the historical mission of the University to our nation. 

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of BSU, several events were held in our Republic and abroad. Scientific conferences and round tables were organized in the Gazakh branch of BSU, Mingachevir State University, Azerbaijan State University of Economics, Azerbaijan Medical University, Sumgait State University, Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University, Baku Engineering University, Lankaran State University, and several other scientific and educational institutions on the occasion of this significant event. The 100th anniversary of BSU was marked at the level of UNESCO (12.06.2019, Paris), ISESCO, and international associations of universities (28-29.05.2019, Bucharest, International Conference "Inter-University Cooperation for Open Science"), other international organizations and institutions (10.09.2019, Vienna, Azerbaijan Cultural Centre). To perpetuate the jubilee date, the Central Bank issued a silver jubilee coin of 5 manat nominal value. In addition, a BSU jubilee stamp has been issued, and books dedicated to the 100th anniversary of BSU have been published.  

The jubilee medal of the Republic of Azerbaijan "100th Anniversary of Baku State University (1919-2019)" was established by the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. For services in the development of education and science in Azerbaijan, a group of BSU employees were awarded honorary titles, orders, and medals. 

Address by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, at the ceremony dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the University (2019)

As the state's concern and care for the BSU increased, modern educational reforms were carried out, new scientific achievements were achieved, the international reputation of the BSU grew, and many world-famous people were awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of the BSU. 

For the care shown to the development of University science and education, the elevation of the name and fame of the BSU, for unprecedented merits to the Azerbaijani people and state, by the decision of BSU Academic Council of 28 October 1994, President of Azerbaijan Republic Heydar Aliyev was awarded the title of honorary doctor of the Baku State University. 

At the event dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the University, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was awarded the Diploma of Honorary Doctor of the BSU. Presidents of the Republic of Turkey Turgut Ozal, Suleyman Demirel, Abdullah Gul, Presidents of the Republic of Turkmenistan Saparmurad Niyazov and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Kerimov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Kuli Yilmaz, former National Security Advisor to the President of the United States, prominent public and political figure, world-famous political scientist Zbigniew Brzezinski, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Vladimir Litvin, President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberg, world famous Kazakh writer Olzhas Suleimenov, President of Romania Traian Basescu, Rector of M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University academician V.A.Sadovnichy, Prime Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, and other prominent state and scientific figures were awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of the BSU. 

During the Patriotic War, which entered the history of Azerbaijan under the name of the 44-day victorious march of the glorious Azerbaijani Army led by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the teaching staff and students of the Baku State University joined together around the wise policy of the President and also made their worthy contribution to the Glorious Victory of the University students and graduates who took part in the battles, 20 became martyrs. 

Materials from the book “Baku State University.

Centennial Temple of Science and Education”

(Baku, 2019) have been used.