Baku, Fineko/abc.az. The World Bank and the Azerbaijani government continue discussing Higher Education Project.

Education minister Misir Mardanov says that the WB first loan for the Project is expected in the near future.

“The loan parameters have not been defined, but I think that already this May we will establish the sum and conditions of the loan,” he said.

At the same time the Baku-based WB resident office informed that there was not clarity with the next mission on project preparation.

“It visited Baku this January and is ready for the next visit, but there is not clarity with government’s readiness to raise WB finances for this project,” the WB office said.

In the process of work over Education Sector Development Project II (ESDP II) endorsed for Azerbaijan on April 23 the Bank encountered a necessity to prepare a separate project for higher education. As a result it decided to prepare and endorse Higher Education Project in 2009 fiscal year (from July 2008 to July 2009).

While overall budget of the project is $40 million WB expects to finance $20 million on IBRD standards.

The Project should contain four components. First of them (budget: $3.5 million) includes strengthening of potential of management and reforms in this education link that stipulates formation of higher education policy and use of the better practice. The second component (budget: $4 million) sets a goal to improve quality of education in each educational institution.

The third component ($10.5 million) is aimed at creating and applying higher-quality sector financing system. In particular a scheme of innovative plans, strategic planning, partnership of private and state-run institutions, international co-operation will be made. It is also planned to establish quality & conformity introduction fund (QRIF) on principles of the Agency Assessment/Certification. Budge of component of management, monitoring and assessment will total $2 million.

09.02.2010 13:05