Three-Day Development Council Meeting Held at UFAZ to Enhance Academic Programs

The French-Azerbaijani University (UFAZ), in collaboration with the University of Strasbourg (Unistra), organized a three-day series of Development Council meetings from April 22 to 24, 2025. The goal of these meetings was to review and improve the academic programs in Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, and Geosciences.

The second meeting of the Development Council was held in a hybrid format, bringing together faculty members, program directors, industry partners, alumni, and students from both Baku and Strasbourg. Their mission was to evaluate how well UFAZ programs meet international standards and industry needs, and to find new ways to support student success and future careers.

The first day focused on Chemical Engineering, where experts reviewed the program’s curriculum, student outcomes, and job market performance. The session began with welcoming speeches by Latifa Nasibova, Acting Executive Director of UFAZ, Martin Godon, Secretary General, and Yannick Hoarau, Operational manager of UFAZ.

Program managers - Christophe Serra, Frédéric Melin, Aline Maisse, the coordinator of the Chemical Engineering Department Maxime Florent, and the Deputy Head of the Academic Affairs Department Samra Shiriyeva delivered presentations on the latest updates to the program and academic progress. Ganira Nasibova, the coordinator of the Career Center, presented data on alumni employment and future trends in the job market.

Industry representatives from SOCAR Downstream, SOCAR Polymer, Holcim, JOCAP, and eiLink gave feedback on how to better align the curriculum with current workplace needs, especially in terms of practical skills, communication, and sustainability.

Alumni from companies like McKinsey & Company, SLB, and SOCAR Downstream also joined, sharing how their UFAZ education helped shape their careers. Their stories highlighted the value of UFAZ’s dual diploma, bilingual teaching, and research-based training.

The second day centered around the Computer Science program, one of the fastest-growing departments at UFAZ. After opening remarks, program managers Cecilia Zanni Merk, Stephane Genaud, and Samer El Zant, program coordinator Nahla El Kadhi presented the latest updates, including new course structures and the use of modern technologies in teaching.

Representatives from leading companies such as Azercell and JOCAP shared the key skills they seek in new hires, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, data science, and cybersecurity.

Alumni explained how their education at UFAZ prepared them for international work environments. Students also joined the discussion, sharing their perspectives on hands-on learning, academic support, and career readiness.

The third day of the meeting was dedicated to Earth Sciences, specifically the Geophysics and Geology programs. Program managers - Damien Lemarchand and Guilherme Bozetti and program coordinators - Lucas Bofill, Fidan Aslanzada and Arzu Aliyeva introduced the latest updates to the program, including an increased focus on sustainability and climate-related topics.

Industry experts from Azercosmos, SOCAR, Sustainera, and JOCAP evaluated the curriculum’s practical applications in fields such as remote sensing, GIS, and energy transition. They also discussed how students can be better prepared for careers in both industry and environmental research.

Alumni working at companies like Total Energies, as well as students, contributed to the discussion by sharing how the program has impacted their academic and professional development.

Each meeting thoroughly reviewed curriculum updates, the quality of teaching and learning resources, laboratory and digital infrastructure, industry connections, as well as career support and internship opportunities.

At the end of the sessions, specific action plans for future improvements were agreed upon. The goal is to ensure that UFAZ students are well-prepared for international-level careers and academic pursuits.