Admission of international students Teaching of foreigners and stateless persons at the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology
REGULATIONS
1. General provisions
1.1. The current Regulations have been developed in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Education", "Rules of Education of Citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Foreign Countries, Foreigners and Stateless Persons in the Republic of Azerbaijan", approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 125 dated on May 1st, 2015, and other legislative acts in force on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
1.2. These Regulations govern the process of getting undergraduate education (bachelor's degree) at the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology (hereinafter referred to as the "Institute") for foreigners and stateless persons.
1.3. These Regulations do not apply to foreigners permanently residing in the Republic of Azerbaijan. They have the right to education within the country on the same grounds as the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
2. The basics of admission of the foreigners to bachelor's degree program
2.1. Admission of foreigners to the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology is carried out on the grounds as follows:
2.1.1. On the grounds of quotas established in accordance with the agreements concluded between the Republic of Azerbaijan and foreign countries in the field of education.
2.1.2. On the grounds of international programs the Institute participates in.
2.1.3. On the grounds of the state-established educational grant program.
2.1.4. On the grounds of contracts concluded between the Institute and educational institutions of foreign countries.
2.1.5. On the grounds of contracts concluded by the Institute directly with legal entities.
2.1.6. On the grounds of contracts concluded by the Institute directly with individuals.
2.1.7. On the grounds of a centralized acceptance rate for the students as required by the State Examination Center of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
3. Criteria for admission of the foreigners to the Institute
3.1. The criteria for the foreigners to get the undergraduate education at the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology are as follows:
3.1.1. Age limit of 30 years.
3.1.2. Successful completion of the previous level or stage of education.
3.1.3. No record of convictions.
3.1.4. Healthy enough to get education.
3.1.5. Proficiency in the Azerbaijani language.
3.1.6. Interest in serving as a religious figure.
3.1.7. Having a general idea of religion.
3.1.8. The moral and psychological state suitable to get a religious education.
3.1.9. Communication skills.
3.1.10. Broad-based knowledge.
3.1.11. Tolerance for various beliefs existing in society.
3.2. The facts specified in clauses 3.1.1-3.1.4 are verified based on the documents submitted by a foreigner, and the facts specified in clauses 3.1.5-3.1.11 are verified based on an interview organized by the Institute in accordance with these Regulations.
4. Documents to be submitted
4.1. If foreigners participate in the centralized admission examinations conducted by the State Examination Center of the Republic of Azerbaijan, they must submit documents as required by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
4.2. On the grounds specified in sub-clauses 2.1.1-2.1.6 of these Regulations, the foreigners applying to the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology shall submit the documents as follows:
4.2.1. application addressed to the rector in Azerbaijani, indicating the chosen specialty, language of study, and attendance mode;
4.2.2. the original and a copy of the valid border crossing document (passport);
4.2.3. the original and copy of the identity card;
4.2.4. personal background in Azerbaijani;
4.2.5. 6 photos (3x4);
4.2.6. non-conviction certificate and a notarized copy of its translation into Azerbaijani;
4.2.7. a notarized copy (copies) of a duly legalized (or apostilled) academic credentials and their translation into Azerbaijani, indicating the subjects completed at the previous stage (level) of education and the grades received;
4.2.8. health certificate, covering AIDS, hepatitis B and C as well, and a notarized copy with translation into Azerbaijani (only the original is to be submitted if the certificate is issued in the Republic of Azerbaijan);
4.2.9. birth certificate and its notarized copy (for those under the age of 18 without a passport);
4.2.10. certificate of successful examination in the Azerbaijani language (if any);
4.2.11. copies of the letters of commendation, certificates, diplomas and other similar documents (if any).
5. Admission plan and registration period for international students
5.1. The admission process for the international students for the following academic year is completed annually until September 15th.
6. Document verification and interview stage
6.1. The readiness of foreigners for the appropriate level of education and their proficiency in the language of study are reviewed by the Institute, and in case of successful completion of the review, the procedure of their admission to the Institute is started.
6.2. If their proficiency in the language of study is insufficient, they are enrolled in the preparatory courses for one academic year. The students who have successfully completed preparatory courses are issued a corresponding certificate.
6.3. Foreigners of the following categories are exempt from the language ability test if they do not change the language of study:
6.3.1. those who have received education in an educational institution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and apply for education at the next stage or level;
6.3.2. graduates of the educational institutions of the previous level of education meeting the requirements provided for by the legislation of the state of residence.
6.3.3. The documents submitted by an international student for admission, after verification, are submitted to the meeting of the Interviewing Committee of the Institute. A contract is concluded between the Institute and a student whose documents were reviewed successfully during the meeting of the Interviewing Committee, and an admission order is issued against presentation of the dean of the relevant faculty.
6.3.4. The composition of the Interviewing Committee (including the chairperson, deputy chairperson and secretary) is formed the rector's order consisting of 5-11 people. The Interviewing Committee consists of highly qualified specialists with an academic title and an academic degree in the relevant specialties and an academic title or an academic degree in the Azerbaijani language and psychology. The changes can be made to the composition of the Interviewing Committee at any time by the rector's order.
7. Organization of teaching process for foreigners
7.1. The process of teaching the foreigners at the Institute is carried out in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, based on the credit system in accordance with the educational programs in the specialty (area of study) approved by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on the basis of curricula approved by the Rector of the Institute.
7.2. The foreigners attending the Institute may exercise the rights provided for in Article 32 of the Law "On Education" along with the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The foreigners must comply with the internal rules of conduct of the educational institution.
7.3. Activities on the grounds specified in sub-clauses 2.1.2, 2.1.4 and 2.1.5 of these Regulations are carried out by an educational institution with the information of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
7.4. Once a year, the Institute submits a report on its international students to the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the prescribed form.
7.5. The international students who have graduated from the Institute are issued a nationally recognized degree certificate.
7.6. The transferring of foreigners from one educational program or from one educational institution to another, as well as expulsion, academic leave and resumption are governed by the Regulations of the Board of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated on November 15th, 2017 No. 5/2 "On transfer, expulsion, resumption and academic leave of students of the bachelor's and master's degree programs of higher educational institutions, basic (undergraduate higher) medical education".
7.7. Information about the international students and graduates of the Institute is entered into the "Student-Graduate" (Tələbə-məzun) electronic system.
7.8. In case of expulsion of the international student attending the Institute, the Institute must inform the State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan within 3 (three) working days.
8. Migration issues
8.1. Those foreigners wishing to study at the Institute shall obtain a student visa to come to the Republic of Azerbaijan, and after admission to the Institute, get a temporary residence permit to stay in the Republic of Azerbaijan in accordance with the requirements of the Migration Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
9. The cancelation, expansion, and alteration procedures as applicable to these Regulations
9.1. These Regulations may be canceled, supplemented and amended at any time by the Rector's order.
10. Legal validity of these Regulations
10.1. These Regulations shall come into effect upon their approval.
10.2. In the event of a conflict between these Regulations and other legislative acts in force on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the legislative acts shall be applied.
Note: admission of the international students is carried out through the portal.edu.az website.