Metropolitan University Prague on the Business Mission to Azerbaijan

Altogether 23 delegates representing some 16 Czech firms and institutions presented and overviewed their respective business opportunities at the special Baku Business Forum. The opportunities presented thereat exist in energy, mining and petrochemical industries as well as in experimental technologies, water resources management, engineering & construction industry, IT, agricultural and food processing technology, medical and health care technology, financial services and education.

MUP was the only Czech educational institution presenting and offering an opportunity to study international business, international relations and European studies, regional studies, tourism and spa management, Anglophone studies, media studies, humanitarian studies, security studies, public administration studies, and political studies.

The MUP presentation has resulted in an overwhelming response from both the Azerbaijan universities and individuals. Hundreds of people visited the MUP web and shared information on social networks. Interested applicants gathered at the British Academy in the Caspian Plaza to attend presentations and discussion. Mr Jaroslav Halik of the MUP Supervisory Board and Mr Daniel Putik, the Deputy Head of Mission in charge of political, cultural, educational and media affairs, introduced and explained bachelor and postgraduate study programs, enrollment process, study visas, the Erasmus+ Program opportunities as well as the variety of appealing cultural and sport events and activities the MUP organizes for its students.

Another noteworthy and important event was the visit to the Azerbaijan Ministry of Education. Mr Nijat Mammadli, Director of International Relations Section, his deputy Mr Tural Ahmadov and Ms Hokuma Abbass, a consultant, gave an audience to Mr J. Halik, Mr D. Putik, and Mr Dmitriy Luzan. The overall friendly atmosphere surrounded the discussion and negotiations concentrated on possibility of governmental support to build up and strengthen effective relations and cooperation between domestic educational institutions and the MUP.

Also successful was a yet another business forum organized at the Baku Business Centre. Mr Radek Vondracek and Mr Rufat Mammadov, Deputy Minister of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Economy opened the event followed by the B2B section. Trading partners took this opportunity to exchange information, negotiate contracts, and discuss mutual collaboration. Several prospective contacts have been initiated with renowned local universities and educational institutions, namely ADA University, Khazar University, Western Caspian University, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University and Baku Higher Oil School. All this is due to very careful preparations by the MUP team leveraging social networks, direct mail and thanks to effective support and collaboration with Czech Embassy representatives notably with Mr Daniel Putik, Mr Jan Jindrich, Secretary for Economic and Commercial Affairs, and Ms Marije Jindrichova, personal assistant to H.E. Milan Ekert, the Czech Ambassador to Azerbaijan.

The parties discussed participation on the Erasmus+ Program, Double-degree study, co-operation with the local SOCAR and AZERSUN companies, conference organization, joint publications and coordination and harmonization of study programs. Local partners also expressed their interest in the MUP lifetime education and preparatory courses for entrance examinations.

The MUP takes the opportunity to thank to its friends of the Confederation and the Chamber as well as to the Czech Embassy in Baku for the possibility to participate in the mission and for their effective help in its realization.