Caspian Energy (CE): Mr. Gasymov, what role will Baku Higher Oil School play in future development of the Azerbaijan oil industry that needs highly-skilled personnel?

Elmar Gasymov, Rector of Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS): Creation of such field-specific educational institution should be appraised as a sign of special attention of the state to the petrochemical complex as a driving force of the innovative development of economy, significance of the HR policy implementation with the use of modern practices, updating the problem of training highly qualified personnel, especially engineers and technicians for profile companies. The measures taken on renovation of the oil infrastructure, social security of industry’s employees, high salaries, prospects of career growth have certainly influenced preferences of our youth on what profession to choose.

Creation of such specialized higher education institute should be recognized as particular importance that the state extends to the petrochemical complex and finds it a locomotive of innovative development of the economy, importance of implementation of the HR policy by using modern methods, actualization of the problem of training of high-skilled human resources, especially engineers for specialized companies. Measures that are being undertaken to modernize oil infrastructure, secure social insurance of industry workers, high salaries, prospects of career growth have certainly influenced the choice our youth makes while choosing an occupation. 

Operation of such modern high school on preparation of human resources for the priority sector of the national economy is also a part of real implementation of the state strategy aimed at turning the oil capital into a human capital. 

CE: What changes are observed in the dynamics of entrance exams to BHOS for 2014-2015? 

Elmar Gasymov: For three years Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) has been participant of the entrance campaign organized by the State Students Admission Commission. Since the very beginning of this process we set a high admission score for entrance of the most capable and competent people into our School. It is no coincidence that students of BHOS hold a leading position on the average grade in the popularity rating of higher education institutes. If this indicator totaled 631 points in 2012, 656 points in 2013, this year it has already reached 668 points. Every year 120 students enter our School and major in three specialties: “oil-gas engineer”, “chemical-engineering” and “process automation engineer”. I must note that minimum admission scores are high as well. If this figure used to total 600 points for the “chemical engineering” specialty two years ago, now it has reached 648 points. By the way, this year a student who managed to score 700 points entered our School. 

I am calling these figures on purpose. They indicate the prestige of the BHOS, that this is the Higher Education Institute conducting qualitative and diversified preparation of human resources for the oil sector of the national economy. 

CE: BHOS has managed to get a top position in the rating of Azerbaijan Higher Education Institutes. What has promoted such a rapid authority growth of BHOS and what distinguishes BHOS from other Higher Education Institutes of Azerbaijan? Are there plans to conduct practical classes at facilities of global oil production? 

Elmar Gasymov: Free education is one of the distinguishing features of BHOS. Secondly, classes here are held only in English. Not all newly-fledged bachelors are fluent in English. Therefore they take intensive language and computer skills courses before they become freshmen. In the following 4 years students take classes based on their major. They study in English and apply ICT. 

The other feature is that students are tested throughout the semester not by teachers of our School but by tutors from the British University Heriot-Watt which we have a partnership agreement with. 

BHOS is quite closely cooperating with Heriot-Watt University, implementing different projects. The syllabuses we apply are prepared with participation of teachers of this university. 

It is also noteworthy that lectures and practical training are held on equal basis. As is known, practical training plays an important role in some spheres like engineering and medicine. Practical training starts from the sophomore and junior years in other Higher Education Institutes. We have such trainings starting from the first year. Our students have summer internship at all enterprises of the State Oil Company. After completing summer internship, they prepare a report and submit it to the commission consisting of the School Teachers as well as engineers of a certain plant. Once the report is accepted, the student passes to the following year. 

Practical training lasts for one month in freshmen year. In the following years it lasts for two months. In total, it makes 7 months within 4 years, a solid term for familiarizing oneself with the technological cycle, production, modern equipment and for gaining certain practical skills. 

In this way, the beginning engineer who graduated from BHOS finds himself in the working environment he is accustomed to. So, there is no need for being adapted to new conditions as it usually happens to graduates of other higher education institutes. 

Studying in English, application of advanced educational technologies, coupling of theoretical and practical classes, independent testing of students’ knowledge are the factors which beneficially tell BHOS from other national universities. 

However, our School differs not only by teaching of future engineers on basis of western standards but also by modern infrastructure. 

A university campus is under construction at Bibi-Heybat settlement with academic and administrative buildings, a dormitory, library, sports ground and a pool. The official opening of this facility will be held in the following year. I’ll tell you even more, the availability of such super modern university campus will enable BHOS to participate in the rating race of world higher education institutes. 

CE: What do students think of modern education practice in BHOS and how effective is the dialogue between students and the management of the School? 

Elmar Gasymov: Certainly, students may come to my office to discuss any certain problem whenever they would like. Moreover, conducting regular polls by using foreign experience, we decided to expand the format of such communication. 

After each exercise module, students are requested to fill in a special form and express opinion about the format of classes, educational materials, quality of seminars and teaching skills of tutors. 

Such type of evaluation of the educational process yields results. Many students find it important to bring their opinion to the attention of the management of the School. It is hard to believe but the evaluation system in fact works very well. The results let us focus on small details, for instance, on bad acoustics in the lecture room, printing quality of textbooks, etc. In the meantime, teachers are also interested in what students think of their work. The results of polls are discussed whereupon concrete measures are taken for improving quality of teaching and training methods.