SECRET OF BEING PRESTIGIOUS

High passing grades, state-of-the-art study programs, a modern campus, guaranteed employment... This is not a complete list of the factors associated with the Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS). Expression ‘a prestigious institute’ can well be attributed to this institution that celebrated its 10th anniversary at the end of 2021. What is the formula of success of the school? How did it manage to become so popular in such a short period of time? How was it possible to remain a leader in local rankings? We congratulated Mr. Elmar GASIMOV, Rector of the Baku Higher Oil School, on the university's anniversary and had an opportunity to ask him a few questions.

“Elmar-muallim, a new and modern higher education facility appeared in Azerbaijan exactly ten years ago. What prompted the need to establish the Baku Higher Oil School?”

“BHOS was established by the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on November 29, 2011 as a state-run higher educational institution under the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR). During these ten years, our unique school has achieved great success and became one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in Azerbaijan, thus justifying the trust of President Ilham Aliyev.

“In those years, the country seriously needed a university that would train highly qualified English-speaking engineers thanks to modern educational programs and training technologies. The idea was to provide qualified personnel for SOCAR, which was gradually transforming into a global company. Other major industrial enterprises in the country also needed highly qualified English-speaking engineers.

“I am happy to note that our school has managed to hit the goals and tasks set for these years. Today, our graduates work at SOCAR, transnational companies, and various industrial enterprises of the country, contributing to the development of Azerbaijan's economy and industry. They praise-worthily represent our country at prestigious universities and giant companies around the world.”

"You said BHOS is unique. Why is that?"

“Our school stands out among the other universities in the country because, in addition to its highly qualified teaching staff, it has the state-of-the-art educational infrastructure, a rich library, information database, and multifunctional laboratories. BHOS campus has rich facilities and is one of the largest campuses in the Caucasus. We employ laboratories created with the involvement of reputable companies, including SOCAR, IBA, Avandsis Group, Emerson Process Management, Huawei. There are a modern campus, a dining facility, two gymnasiums, and a swimming pool. The campus was inaugurated on May 1, 2017 by President Ilham Aliyev. We are proud that in his address at the opening ceremony of the new campus, he appreciated the work we have done during six years.

“Over the ten years of operation, BHOS has earned a reputation as an innovative educational institution equipped with the latest technology. I am also proud to say that from day one our school has been at the top of rankings in Azerbaijan.  BHOS is a leader in terms of average passing grade and ranks first among 51 higher education institutions in the ranking table of the State Examination Centre.”

"This academic year, BHOS held its first admission of students for the second group of majors. How did you start and what are your achievements as of today?"

“You are right. In the academic year 2021-2022, our school admitted students to the second group of majors for the first time in its history. Eleven of these students were awarded the Presidential Scholarship. However, we had already increased the number of majors. In addition to Petroleum Engineering and Chemical Engineering that we launched back in the 2012-2013 academic year, we also provide education in Process Automation Engineering, Information Security, Computer Engineering, and Master of Business Administration. Our school offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as a doctoral program. In addition, we offer a second university degree in Oil and Gas Engineering.”

“There are many fellows of the presidential scholarship among your students. How did BHOS become so popular among the gifted applicants?”

“It was possible thanks to our international curriculum, the development of a new creative environment, high quality of teaching, cooperation with local and foreign companies, organisation of training sessions and discussions with professionals, and so on and so forth. It is this sympathy that makes the most educated, intelligent, and talented young people in the country to choose BHOS. The number of our fellows of the presidential scholarship increases every year. Ten years ago, during our first admissions, there were only 11 of them. In the 2021-2022 academic year, this number reaches 33 people. By the way, the total number of such fellows nationwide is 102. I mean, for the first time in the history of Azerbaijan, a third of the recipients of the Presidential Scholarship in the country are students of a single higher education institution. We have set a record that is. Also, this year, the student with the highest admission score chose BHOS. In total, the number of students receiving the Presidential Scholarship reaches 205.

“The average admission score at our school is 650 and above, which is the highest in Azerbaijan. We are also notable for having a large pool of students with a score of 700. To date, 27 of such students have chosen BHOS.”

“It is widely believed that the graduates of BHOS have guaranteed jobs after graduation. Is this true?”

"It is, indeed. Guided by the President's call to "turn oil capital into human capital", in addition to providing our students with a high-quality education, we also pay special attention to their employment.

“In total, we have held five graduation ceremonies. We are the only higher education facility in the country that provides jobs for all its graduates. Today, our graduates work for SOCAR and its companies, including PA Azneft, PA Azerikimya, the Heydar Aliyev Refinery, SOCAR Umid, SOCAR Polymer, as well as SOCAR Turkey, including their facilities Petkim Petrokimya Holding and STAR Refinery. In addition, our graduates also work for major multinational companies such as BP, Schlumberger, Halliburton, Maire Tecnimont, etc.

“In general, BHOS maintains close ties with various industries. We have extensive experience in skills development, both nationally and internationally. The teaching process at our school is closely associated with the industry. To ensure deeper and practical immersion in theoretical subjects, our students join the summer internship programs at the industrial sites of SOCAR, BP, Equinor, Total, Schlumberger, ABB, Halliburton, Atenau Ltd, Schneider Electric, Microsoft, Baker Hughes, Emerson Process Management, Avandsis Group, Maire Tecnimont, Control and Instrumentation LLC, as well as SOCAR’s plants of Petkim Petrochemical Complex and STAR Oil Refinery in Turkey. During these programs they prepare reports and defend them. This is an excellent opportunity for our students to build effective relationships with the leading industry professionals, professional development in line with international standards, successful employment and lay the foundation for a brilliant career.

“Thanks to the high level of professionalism of our students, many of them receive job offers even before they graduate. This fully justifies our motto: "We don't look for work; it is the opposite."

“What about international cooperation at BHOS?”

"We are the only technical higher education institution in Azerbaijan that provides education in the English language only. Since its inception, BHOS has paid special attention to international cooperation. We have been working closely with the British Heriot-Watt University during the first years of operation. There is a cooperation agreement between us to train specialists under a double diploma program.

“We also closely cooperate with many prestigious universities around the world. Thanks to this cooperation, we can exchange our students and teachers through various exchange programs. We have signed cooperation agreements with more than 50 universities of Great Britain, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Turkey, Estonia, Poland, Korea, USA, Norway, Slovakia, France, Russia, Greece, Italy, Germany, and many other countries. BHOS is a member of the Black Sea Universities Network (BSUN), Eurasian University Association (EURAS), and the World Energy Universities Network (WEUN). In recent years, BHOS has sent its students to study in Greece, Bulgaria, Spain, Germany and other countries under the Erasmus+ program. We have also hosted in Baku a group of students from Romania.

“As part of the cooperation agreement signed with BP and its partners in 2016, BHOS together with a British company TwentyEighty Strategy Execution (STRATEX) successfully implemented the Project Management School training program. Successful graduates of the program receive a Master's certificate from the George Washington University (USA).  In 2021, together with STRATEX and the Duke University, we launched a new phase of the Project Management School program.”

"At the beginning of our conversation we talked about the uniqueness of your school. It is unique not only in terms of the facilities it owns, but also in terms of its compliance with the modern global teaching standards. How does this help to ensure the international recognition of BHOS?"

“Presently, BHOS is the only higher education facility in the country certified under the international standards of ISO:9001 (Quality Management System), ISO:14001 (Environmental Management System), OHSAS:18001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System), and ISO:10002 (Quality Management. Customer Satisfaction. Guidelines for Claims Management in Organisations). Over the past period, we have created an infrastructure that meets the latest requirements, developed a highly qualified managerial and pedagogical staff, implemented a number of incentive and mobilisation measures to increase the motivation of teachers and students.”

"There is also a public belief that in addition to training highly qualified personnel, higher education schools should also educate good citizens for the country. Do you agree with this?"

“Sure enough. Along with organising the educational process and integrating it into production, we also place great importance on developing the creative potential of students, raising their intellectual level, and improving their socialisation skills. We are trying to develop citizens committed to national and moral values, the ideology of statehood, to strengthen the sense of patriotism in young people to ensure the successful integration of Azerbaijan into the globalising world. As intellectual warriors of Azerbaijan, our students are worthily representing our country in various countries and international contests. For example, they have a chance for the first time to represent Azerbaijan in NASA’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge slated for 2022. Only our school will represent Azerbaijan in this international competition, which will involve 91 teams from different universities and colleges of the world. Huseyn Gambarov, a student of the Information Security Department of BHOS, successfully represented Azerbaijan at the international competition on cyber-security organised by WorldSkills Asia. At this prestigious competition, which Azerbaijan joined for the first time, Huseyn became the 4th best among 122 competitors from 26 countries with a total score of 707 points and took Azerbaijan to the 3rd place following South Korea and Russia. He achieved the highest result in the Data Leak Prevention category. We and our country are so proud of all these achievements!..”

"Finally, could you please share in general terms your plans for the future?"

"We have set big goals and objectives for the future. One of them is to enter the international rankings. We will continue to work hard to train highly professional specialists of international class and will do our best to nurture our students as intellectuals who benefit the country and the people."

"Thank you for the interview. Once again, congratulations on your anniversary. We wish you all the best!"