Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi launched a series of initiatives and projects in Baku, Azerbaijan

As part of its strategy to expand its activity in the region and the scope of its business on a global level and in line with its mission and vision to attract students from around the world, Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is launching a series of initiatives for youth in Baku, Azerbaijan. The university launched its Foundation Degree Year Center, which officially started its recruitment’s activities at the Western University in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku. The university also launched its "Quality Assurance in Youth Work Sector" seminar-project in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan, which attracted a wide number of Azerbaijani students. Professor Eric Fouache, Vice chancellor at Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, represented the university in Azerbaijan with the support of the ministry of Education in Azerbaijan and the French embassy in Baku.

The initiatives that Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is launching in Azerbaijan, aim to highlight the importance of activating this kind of projects through looking for the best efficient ways to diffuse the French education and increase awareness about the importance of the French language. This can also support the university in attracting students from all around the world to join the different programmes it offers in line with the local and global market’s needs as well as the youth’s aspirations and projects nowadays.

Within the framework of this cooperation between Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and Western University, which is one of the best-ranked universities in Azerbaijan, the milestone of the programme is an opportunity for Azerbaijani students to learn French in their homeland in Azerbaijan, Baku. This cooperation will prepare the students to continue their studies at both Paris-Sorbonne University in France and Paris- Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi. The Foundation Year Degree, which covers the period of one year, is with immediate effect and had officially commenced its activities on the same day of the ceremony.

Professor Eric Fouache, Vice Chancellor at Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, said: “The Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan’s priority, just like the UAE, is evolved around the diversification and the internalization of its Higher Education sector. Following the encouragement of the Ministry of Higher Education in Azerbaijan, Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and Western University have decided to establish the foundation year in Western University. This project aims to prepare the young Azerbaijani students during their last year of secondary school on an Academic level to be able to join the FLE degree of Paris Sorbonne University.  Once they obtain this degree, they can enroll either at Paris Sorbonne or at Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi”.

Professor Fouache added: “In the presence of HE Aurelia Bouchez, French Ambassador in Azerbaijan and Mrs. Zemfira Mammadova, Rector of Western University, we have just inaugurated the Foundation year degree of Paris Sorbonne and the first batch of students will commence in September 2017.  Starting the beginning of 2018, regular stream of Azerbaijani students will have the opportunity to join the varieties of degrees offered by Paris Sorbonne University in Paris as well as in Abu Dhabi. The regional role of Abu Dhabi as international platform for Higher Education is thus reinforced while the position of the francophone pole in Abu Dhabi is confirmed”.

The main objective of "Quality Assurance in Youth Work Sector" seminar-project that took place in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan is to exchange knowledge with the 100 NGOs and youth work sector leaders of Azerbaijan on innovative ways on modern and interactively integrated leadership and management. The seminar-project discussed six modules; which are youth governance, data collection modules of work with young people in the audience, overall strategy and plan development, analysis, content, and personal-reflection research.

Prof. Fouache met with a number of French officials and Academics who fully support this kind of initiatives in Baku. H.E. Intigam Babayev, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Republic, H.E. Aurelia Bouchez, the Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan and Mr. Johan Schitterer, the French Ambassador's Advisor for Culture and Cooperation attended  the opening ceremony of the “Quality Assurance in Youth Work Sector" seminar-project which was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan. H.E. Aurelia Bouchez, The Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan and Prof. Dr. Zenfira Mammadova, Rector of Western University officially attended the signature ceremony of the Foundation Degree Year Center at the Western University in Baku.