The candidate selection process for the 2022-2023 academic year of educational grant programs (EGPs), which provide foreign students with the opportunity to study at the higher educational institutions (HEIs) of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the expense of the state, has been completed. It should be recalled that the EGPs were established for the duration of 5 years in the preparatory courses in accordance with the language of instruction in the HEIs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees, at the main education and residency levels of medical education for the citizens of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation by the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 3457 dated December 6, 2017, (OIC), as well as for the citizens of the member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) by the Order No. 3567 dated January 10, 2018. According to the terms of the EGPs, it is expected to allocate an educational grant to 20 foreign students (thus, a total of 40 people for both programs) on an annual basis in each direction (IOC and NAM). According to the list selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and finally approved together with the Ministry of Science and Education (MSE), the MSE has determined the higher educational institutions of the Republic of Azerbaijan where the participants of the EGP will study. The EGP covers tuition fees, visa, registration, monthly stipend, medical assistance, and international transportation expenses paid by the government. Based on the results of the selection process, the EGPs for the 2022-2023 academic year have been awarded to 20 students from 18 OIC countries (Bangladesh, Algeria, Palestine, Ivory Coast, Indonesia, Iran, Comoros, Kuwait, Egypt, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Gambia, Kazakhstan, Somalia, Sudan, Tajikistan and Yemen), as well as to 20 students from 18 NMA countries (Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belarus, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Ecuador, India, Honduras, Iran, Colombia, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Nepal, Nicaragua, Thailand, Uganda and Zambia). Selected students will study in 11 higher educational institutions in Azerbaijan, mainly at Azerbaijan Medical University, ADA University, and Khazar University.

The Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan received some information on fraud attempts in the admission process of international students to higher education institutions of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Some international students may have been deceived to pay some amount to scammers promising their admission to Azerbaijani universities. The Ministry of Science and Education call all prospective international students to be careful and not to approach brokers for their admission applications. SIA: CAS (“Study in Azerbaijan: Centralised Admission Service”) / portal.edu.az is an official portal of the Ministry of Science and Education where prospective students can find all universities operating in Azerbaijan and make direct applications to the universities on the portal free of charge. We would like to emphasize again that there is no application fee on portal.edu.az.The portal operates both in English enabling all foreign individuals to use it freely. The Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan invites all applicants to apply to the universities individually through portal.edu.az and not fall victim to scammers.  

The Ministry of Science and Education together with the State Migration Service held a meeting dedicated to the migration issues of foreign students with the participation of 44 higher education institutions, and a member of the Public Council under the State Migration Service. At the meeting, the cancellation of some concessions applied in connection with the "COVID-19" pandemic, the conditions of entry and exit to the country, the importance of timely and correct submission of documents, and the timely delivery of ready documents were brought to the attention. Additionally, foreign students' attitude to educational processes, attendance at classes, and prevention of abuse attempts to legalize the opportunities created in the education sector were touched upon, and the importance of foreign students' registration on the atis.edu.az portal of the Ministry of Science and Education was emphasized. During the meeting, interactive discussions were held, and detailed information was provided on other administrative and legal issues arising from the legal status of foreigners. At the end of the meeting, the representatives of the Ministry of Science and Education and the State Migration Service answered the questions of the event participants.  

On September 7, a webinar on educational opportunities in Azerbaijan was held for a group of young Malaysians, students and teachers of Malaysian Technical and National Universities. The webinar was jointly organized by the Ministry of Science and Education and the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Malaysia.  The event was attended by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Science and Education and the Embassy, members of youth organizations, representatives of the educational institutions, teachers, schoolchildren and parents from the Malaysian side.  During the event, a Malaysian student studying at the Azerbaijan State Agrarian University within the framework of the educational grant program sponsored by the government of Azerbaijan for the citizens of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation introduced the presentation about his studies in Azerbaijan and shared his impressions with the webinar participants.  During the meeting, the presentation of the "Study in Azerbaijan" portal, promotional presentations by representatives of Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku State University, Azerbaijan Technical University, Baku Engineering University and Baku Slavic University were held, and information was provided on educational opportunities in Azerbaijan.  At the end of the webinar, the participants' questions were answered.