Important Result of Public-private Partnership: Spanish Architects to be involved in Teaching at AzUAC

Famous Spanish architects and executives of architectural companies paid a visit to the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction (AzUAC) on December 4th. The visit of the delegation which was organized by “F-Holding” was represented by the founder of the Bilbao Architecture Team (BAT) Xabier Arranz, partners of BAT - Juan Miguel Rioboó Fuentes and Peru Cañada, Director of the London City Laboratory of “Fundación Metropoli” Naiara Vegara, Co-founder of “Ortiz Leon Arquitectos”, Iñigo Ortiz, Chief architect of ETSASS Jaime Otegui.

Rector of AzUAC, Doctor of Architecture Gulchohra Mammadova met with the guests. The meeting was attended by Professor Elbay Gasimzadeh, the head of the AzUAC department, Farid Mustafayev, the chairman of the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan, a graduate of AzUAC, the founder of “F-Holding”, a well-known figure in the Azerbaijani diaspora in Spain, members of the university administration, professors and teaching staff from the architecture faculty, and members of the mass media.

Rector Professor Gulchohra Mammadova provided information about AzUAC, talked about the academic staff, faculties, specializations, and international cooperation relations, as well as the Double Diploma and exchange programs, and drew attention to the positive working relationships that the university has established with the industry.

The rector noted that the demand for the specialties of AzUAC has increased even more: “Our cities in Karabakh, which were destroyed for 30 years, are being rebuilt today. We are trying to provide high level of education to our graduates and specialists, enabling them to gain access to the most advanced  experience in architecture, so that they can use their knowledge and skills for reconstruction work in those areas. They should build new cities and villages and our compatriots can return to their homelands sooner.”

“Main Line of Public-Private Partnership is to Increase Quality of Education”
Speaking about the collaborative relationships that AzUAC has built in the fields of architecture and design with prestigious universities of Italy, Spain, France, Turkey, and other countries, the rector highlighted the significance of forming partnerships with production companies parallel to this cooperation: “Our primary goal in a public-private partnership is to raise educational standards even higher. This is why the meeting today is crucial for the teaching of architecture. AzUAC has established partnerships with manufacturing companies across numerous industries. The primary goal of these long-standing relationships is to increase the quality of education. Our goal for our students is for them to receive hands-on training from professionals in the field. Spanish architects are highly skilled in creating futuristic structures. I am sure that our students will be able to benefit from their experiences.”

During the discussion, the rector spoke about AzUAC’s student campus and stated that while Internally Displaced People (IDPs) who were forced to flee the occupied territories in the 1990, had lived there for a long time, and the current state of the dormitory makes it unfit for students to live in, and serious repair work is required: “By the order of Mr. President, townships were constructed and private houses were provided to our IDPs. The “Great Return” program was launched following the liberation of our land, and our citizens are returning to their homeland, and our dormitories are empty now. However, the conditions in the dormitory buildings, which have been in operation for many years, are not favorable.

"Good News for Students - AzUAC dormitory Complex to be Overhauled"
Farid Mustafayev, the founder of F-Holding, emphasized in his speech that the memorandum will create conditions for Azerbaijani architects to work abroad, and foreign architects to work in Azerbaijan: “We are here with a professional team. We hope that our arrival will be very useful for AzUAC. The company I founded is in Spain, as well as in Azerbaijan. The architects you see are all well-known architects in their respective profiles. At present, large-scale construction works are being carried out in the liberated territories. To contribute to these works, it is necessary to train architects with high knowledge and skills. I believe that the young architects who will be our cooperation will become world-class specialists. will contribute to it”.

During his speech, the founder of F-Holding, Farid Mustafayev, emphasized that the memorandum will establish favorable conditions for both foreign and Azerbaijani architects to work in each other’s country: “We are here with a professional team. We sincerely hope that AzUAC will greatly benefit from our visit. The company which I am the founder of operates in Spain along with Azerbaijan. The architects you see are all well-known architects in their respective profiles. Large-scale building projects are currently underway in the territories that have been freed. To contribute to these works, it is necessary to train architects with high knowledge and skills. I believe our cooperation will have a positive impact on young architects to become world-class specialists.

Farid Mustafayev mentioned the dormitory complex at AzMIU in his speech. The head of the company stated that “F-Holding” undertakes the hostel’s repair works, and that work on restoration and repair may begin in the upcoming year.

During his speech Professor Elbay Gasimzade declared that the meeting was a significant event for Azerbaijani architecture: “Azerbaijani urban planning and architecture are undergoing a true revolution today, with incalculable work being done. Particularly in the liberated areas of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, the infrastructure has been entirely renovated. Master plans of all cities are being developed. These all present us with more challenging tasks. In this sense, more intensive application of successful international experience to teaching will lead to positive outcomes.

In their turn, the Spanish guests expressed gratitude to AzUAC’s rector, Professor Gulchohra Mammadova for the cordial welcome. They declared that they were ready to share their experiences with contemporary architecture in the university auditoriums. They expressed their desire to share their knowledge of contemporary architecture with AzUAC’s academic staff and students of architecture faculty.

“New Memorandum Makes Possible to Benefit from Foreign Experience”
In the course of the meeting, several directions for cooperation were discussed, and a memorandum of understanding was signed between AzUAC and “F-Holding” signed.

AzUAC’s rector, Professor Gulchohra Mammadova, and “F-Holding” director Farid Mustafayev, signed the memorandum.

The public-private cooperation memorandum envisions foreign experts participating in master classes, conferences, congresses, and a variety of programs at AzUAC faculty of Architecture. It is intended to develop collaborative projects concurrently.
The memorandum based on public-private cooperation envisages the involvement of foreign experts in teaching, various programs, master classes, holding conferences and congresses at AzUAC Faculty of Architecture. At the same time, it is planned to develop joint projects.

Later, presentations of Spanish architects were organized for teachers and students of the faculty of Architecture.

Foreign architects presented a wealth of information about their well-known projects, including their scientific, theoretical, and practical aspects.