A meeting was held with the refugees and IDPs studying and working at Baku Higher Oil School.

Rector of Baku Higher Oil School Elmar Gasimov, Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Rovshan Rzayev, responsible officers of the Higher School and Committee, students and their parents attended the meeting.

Making a speech at the event, Elmar Gasimov said that one of the main features of the rapid socio-economic development of our country under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is that the progress makes an impact on the lives of every citizen. 

The rector noted that although Azerbaijan is one of the first countries in the CIS, as well as Europe in terms of the number of refugees and IDPs, it is considered to be one of the countries actively pursuing policy and achieving great results in terms of improving the living standards of the people from this category.     

“Improving the living standards of refugees and IDPs is one of the main priorities of the state policy. I can say in the example of refugees and IDPs studying and working at Baku Higher Oil School that these compatriots containing the vulnerable category of our society justify the trust shown to them. BHOS students from our occupied lands are distinguished with their intellectual potential, discipline and special abilities. There are students who got the highest - 700 points and Presidential scholarships, advanced project and program authors, international scholarship program winners, master`s students at the most prestigious educational institutions abroad, people  working at leading positions in well-known local and transnational companies among them. At present, 85 students from our occupied cities and regions are studying at BHOS. Those studying at paid specialties are exempt from tuition fees and also enjoy special benefits”, the rector added.

Later, Chairman of the State Committee Rovshan Rzayev spoke about the historical roots and current state of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. 

It was informed that the people who left their homes as a result of the conflict faced severe deprivation. President Ilham Aliyev pays particular attention to improving the housing and living conditions, providing employment and increasing material welfare of IDPs, and the measures in this direction are being consistently implemented.    

It was mentioned that according to the tradition of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, a part of the funds of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan, celebrated 20th anniversary this year, are aimed at building new settlements to improve the housing and living conditions of refugees and IDPs.

It was stated that there is a need for well-educated, broad-minded young people, along with a strong army in order to restore the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Our youth should get a good education, acquire modern knowledge, defend the position of our people and state in international tribunals using the opportunities provided for them.   

The high level of state care for education in Azerbaijan was mentioned. It was stated that further development of human capital is of the main priorities of the state policy. In this regard, investments in education are of great importance. Heydar Aliyev Foundation, managed by the First Vice President Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, has exceptional services in development of education and strengthening its material and technical base.    

It was noted that new kindergartens and school buildings that meet modern standards are also being built in the settlements built to improve the housing and living conditions of IDPs. All kinds of opportunities are provided for IDPs.     

Chairman of the State Committee answered the questions of the meeting participants and invited the students to involve in educational and volunteer programs in the field of work with refugees and IDPs. 

At the end, BHOS`s plaque “Honorable Guest” was presented to Rovshan Rzayev.