Baku State University (BSU) hosted the 7th International Forum on New Challenges in Education under the motto “A More Educated Future.” The forum was held in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Education and organized jointly with the Regional Development Public Association and the T-Network platform as part of the Year of Urban Development and Architecture.

Opening the forum, BSU Rector Elchin Babayev emphasized the importance of holding the event on International Teachers’ Day. He noted that modern universities should go beyond training professionals by generating new knowledge and serving as intellectual centers that foster research and innovation. He highlighted the integration of education and research, the development of students’ research skills, and their preparation for a globally competitive environment as key priorities for higher education.

Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev congratulated teachers on International Teachers’ Day and highlighted their contribution to educational development. He stressed the importance of ensuring access, quality and equal opportunities in education, noting Azerbaijan’s positive progress in the PISA 2025 results. The Minister also addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence in education, particularly its potential to improve assessment, measure student achievement more flexibly and enhance teachers’ effectiveness.

Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), delivered an online keynote address titled “PISA Lessons: Preparing Students for the Future.” He emphasized the growing importance of critical thinking, information evaluation and the ability to compare different sources in the age of AI. He stressed that AI should be used not as a shortcut to ready-made answers, but as a pedagogical tool that strengthens thinking and learning.

The forum featured presentations by Anoshirvan Mianchi, Coordinator of the Department of Artificial Intelligence Engineering at TOBB University of Economics and Technology and a lecturer and writer; Gert Guriev, an architect specializing in the design of educational institutions in Estonia; Mike Thiruman, Secretary-General of the Singapore Teachers’ Union; and Augustine Porres, Director of the Varkey Foundation.

The programme also featured a Q&A session with Professor Ziya Selçuk and concluded with a cultural programme.