The Baku International Multiculturalism Centre successfully continues the project of teaching Azerbaijani Multiculturalism in local and foreign universities. Currently, Azerbaijani Multiculturalism is taught in the master's program at 20 world leading universities. Herewith, by the order of the Minister of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, starting from 2019-2020 academic year, Azerbaijani Multiculturalism will be taught as a main discipline for all specialties at all universities of our country. Recall that the said project has been launched by the idea and initiative of the Chairman of the BIMC’s Board of Trustees, academician Kamal Abdullayev after the approval of the curriculums on the disciplines of Introduction to Multiculturalism and Azerbaijani Multiculturalism by the Ministry of Education. A wide positive experience has already been gained in teaching this discipline. The use of the textbook on Azerbaijani Multiculturalism published also in English, in addition to Azerbaijani language, has contributed to improving the quality of teaching.

Recall that the lessons of the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism are conducted based on an agreement concluded between the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre and foreign universities. The majority of students enrolled in classes are those who further wish to learn and build business in our country, as well as teach lessons about Azerbaijan in their universities, and in this regard desire to know more about the culture, history, literature and multicultural situation of our country. Selected students will receive a chance to study at Winter and Summer Schools of Multiculturalism organized by the BIMC in Azerbaijan. This, in turn, is one of the factors that inspire students. As can be seen, the consistent and purposeful work carried out by the BIMC to virtually implement President Ilham Aliyev’s initiative on “Recognizing Azerbaijan as the Center of Multiculturalism in the World” brings high results. Teaching Azerbaijani Multiculturalism abroad not only covers a wider geography, but also expands its sphere of influence, increases its strength.

The list of foreign universities that will teach Azerbaijani Multiculturalism from the 2019-2020 academic year will also be added by the Federal University of Brazil (Universidade de Brasilia). Thus, the Multiculturalism Centre will teach Azerbaijani Multiculturalism at 21 foreign universities. The proposal of the University’s administration has already received a positive assessment, and a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the BIMC and the Federal University of Brazil. Azerbaijani Multiculturalism will be taught by Professor of the Federal University of Brazil Leila Bijos. We would like to add that in the summer of 2016, Leila Bijos studied Azerbaijani Multiculturalism in the BIMC. The results of three-month studies have been published in Brazil in a book named “Azerbaijani Multiculturalism”. In this book published in Portuguese, the researcher speaks about the success of the model of Azerbaijani multiculturalism, as well as about the multicultural and tolerant atmosphere in our country.

Recall that, although the BIMC teaches Azerbaijani Multiculturalism at prestigious universities in many world countries, in the case of the Federal University of Brazil, this will be the first step in Latin America in this area. Representatives of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Brazil, as well as influential scholars of this country will take part in the first day of teaching Azerbaijani Multiculturalism in the new academic year. It is planned that the number of young people from Latin America participating in the International Winter and Summer Schools of Multiculturalism annually organized by the BIMC will increase and as a result of the successful development of relations between the Centre and Brazilian universities, Azerbaijani Multiculturalism will be taught at the prominent Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. The Professor of this University Alexander Jerbit has already applied to the BIMC regarding researches in the field of Azerbaijani multiculturalism.

 All this indicates that interest in Azerbaijani multiculturalism in foreign countries is growing day by day. The BIMC successfully continues studying and researching this model on a scientific platform. In the nearest future, new foreign countries will be able to join this educational project.

Billura Aslangizi

Leading Advisor to the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre