On September 21, 2020, French-Azerbaijani University (UFAZ) welcomed the cohort of newly admitted graduate students for the academic year 2020 / 2021.

The event took place via Microsoft Teams platform. Moderated by UFAZ Director Vazeh Askarov, the event was attended by French Ambassador to Azerbaijan, HE Zacharie Gross, ASOIU Rector, Professor Mustafa Babanli, UFAZ Coordinator from University of Strasbourg (Unistra) and Unistra President delegate Jean-Marc Planeix, UFAZ Scientific Expert and Deputy Vice-President for International Affairs Philippe Turek, UFAZ Secretary-General Elizaveta Bydanova, Head of Education Department Latifa Nasibova and Student Affairs Specialist Samra Shiriyeva.

Highlighting the importance of studying at UFAZ operating with the direct support of the Azerbaijani government, Professor Mustafa Babanli congratulated graduate students on their admission and the beginning of the new academic year. He them success in the learning process despite the complex challenges during global pandemic.

Welcoming the students, Ambassador Gross expressed his appreciation for Azerbaijani government in offering high-quality education opportunities for youth. end expressed his hope that students will use the available opportunities to the maximum and achieve high academic results.  The ambassador expressed his contentment with the number of admitted female students and pointed out his confidence that they will achieve high results alongside their male fellows.

Prof. Jean-Marc Planex, representing the President of Unistra, underlined that the Master's Degree Programs are organized on the basis of high academic requirements and will prepare the candidates that are most in demand by local and international companies. Noting that most of the professors participating in the program have very strong teaching and research experience, Jean-Marc Planex stressed that they will assist the students in development of their research skills in industry, field and laboratory.

UFAZ scientific expert Philip Turek stressed the importance of creating a strong research base to achieve the goals set at the master's level, noting that he will be in Baku from January and will directly contribute to the establishment of these foundation.

Speaking about the importance of the master's degree, Secretary General Elizaveta Bidanova focused on the benefits of entering the labor market with a UFAZ diploma. According to her statements, UFAZ Master's Degree Programs aim to train young leaders with strong research skills and a global mindset. Ms. Bidanova stressed that being a student of the 5 century-old Strasbourg University, creates great opportunities, and invited all graduates to benefit from these opportunities keeping their expectations high.

The Head of the Education Department Latifa Nasibova acquainted the new students with the work done by the department in the process of obtaining two national diplomas, as well as curricula and the academic calendar.

Student Affairs Specialist Samra Shiriyeva delivered students a comprehensive presentation on academic and administrative rules, assessment procedure, schedules. She included the cooperation with companies, and internship opportunities in her presentation. She also informed the graduates about various scoial activities, student clubs and UFAZ Alumni Association.

To recall, on June 8, 2020 French-Azerbaijani University successfully organized its first admission exam to Master’s Degree Programs 2020.

Exam lasted 150 minutes and students answered questions related to the specialties of Chemical engineering / Physical chemistry, Applied Computer Sciences (Big Data and Artificial intelligence), and Geosciences in English language.

Graduates of UFAZ Master’s Degree Programs will receive two national diplomas from both Unistra and ASOIU.

Depending on their speciality, students will have an opportunity to pursue their education in the University of Strasbourg and many other universities and laboratories of France during their studies.

Education will be conducted by the UFAZ professors that include international academic staff of highly qualified French and Azerbaijani professors selected and approved in collaboration with Strasbourg University and students will have an opportunity to work in the laboratories of Azerbaijan National Academy of Science.