The 3rd All-Republic Forum of Foreign Students under the motto "We are stronger together" organized by Baku International Students Club (BISC) with financial support of Azerbaijan Youth Foundation was held in Azerbaijan Medical University.
272 students from 30 countries, including Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, China, Peru, Sri-Lanka, Lithuania, Nigeria, Indonesia participated in the Forum. The participants study in ADA University, Baku Medical University, Baku State University, Baku Engineering University, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, Azerbaijan Technical University, Khazar University, Azerbaijan State Economic University and so on. Generally, 300 foreign students from 10 universities took part in the Forum.
The event started national anthem of Azerbaijan and the head of BISC Ayseba Umutlu opened the Forum. She spoke about the activities of BISC and the results of previous Forums.
The representatives from the embassy of Ukraine, Italy, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Sudan Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Morocco and Jordan; head of Azerbaijan Youth Foundation, Deputy principal from Baku British School, representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Youth and Sports, State Committee on Work with Diaspora, International Eurasian Press Fund (IEPF), Ministry of Education, Azerbaijan Republic State Migration Service participated in the Forum.
MP Shahin Ismayilov and head of Youth Foundation Farid Jafarov sent congratulations and wished the continuation of such events. Shahin Ismayilov noted the richness of annual Forum in presentations.
Rector of Azerbaijan Medical University G.Garaybeyli said that approximately 2000 students from 32 different countries are studying at the University. He noted that one of the main priorities of the "State Program to Increase the International Competitiveness of the Higher Education System for 2019-2023", approved by President Ilham Aliyev's order, is to increase the rating of universities worldwide, the number of foreign students in our country is one of the key criterias of this process.
IEPF President Umud Mirzayev spoke about the importance of the Forum in bringing Azerbaijan's realities to the world. Mirzayev said he hope that every student studying here will be a part of Azerbaijan after returning to his homeland.
During the forum foreign students performed their national dances. In addition, poems and songs were also featured in the Azerbaijani language.
The participants got acquainted with stands reflecting the national and spiritual values of different nations organized at the entrance of the hall. There were stands of Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China, Pakistan and others, and national sweets, dishes and souvenirs were demonstrated.
Representative of the Italian Embassy, Elena Leonardi, expressed her satisfaction with the high organizational level of the event. She said that it is the first time she participates in such an event where the students are very pleased to be able to represent their country.
Deputy Director of the Baku British School Phillip Roche appreciated the activities carried out by the IEPF. P.Rose demonstrated his respect for the organization by singing in his native language.
Representative of the Ukrainian Embassy Stanislav Koval said he enjoyed participating in the event. He emphasized that the students from Ukraine will take part widely in the next event.
S.Koval underlined that such events contribute to the integration of students, the acquaintance of different nations' cultures.
Participation of representatives from different cultures and their demonstration of solidarity under one slogan was praised by the participants and guests.
