UNEC hosts forum on topic: 'Transition to a knowledge-based economy: potential opportunities'
![UNEC hosts forum on topic: 'Transition to a knowledge-based economy: potential opportunities'](https://mincom.gov.az/resized/resize879/center/pages/1885/1688541656456.jpg)
A forum on the topic of “Transition to a knowledge-based economy: potential opportunities” was held at the Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) within the framework of cooperation between the International School of Economics (ISE) of the UNEC and the High-Tech Park (HTP) of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies. The event was organized with the support of Bank Respublika.
The forum, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the ADR, was attended by representatives of academic community, public and private sectors.
In his speech, Rector of the UNEC, Professor Adalat Muradov, emphasized the importance of transition to a knowledge-based economy.
According to him, the traditional economy does not promise great prospects in terms of the country's sustainable development.
Highlighting the benefits of unity in the “University-State-Industry” format, Adalat Muradov stressed that improving the quality of education lies solely in cooperation with the real sector.
Noting that the knowledge economy concept is being drafted, the rector urged interested parties to present their proposals on the document.
Director of the High-Tech Park Tural Kerimli said that the HTP perform tasks connected with building a knowledge-based economy, developing an innovative economy, expanding the spheres of innovations and high technologies based on scientific and technological achievements, etc.
According to the director of the HTP, the main goal is transform Azerbaijan from an energy-exporting country into a technology-exporting country.
Saying that the state pays special attention to this process, Tural Kerimli stressed that according to the relevant Presidential Decree, an Innovation Agency will be establish under the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies on the basis of the High-Tech Park LLC and the State Fund for Development of Information Technologies.
Speaking about the possible development prospects, General Director of Bank Respublika lshad Veliyev emphasized the importance of cooperation within the “University-State-Industry” format.
The “University-State-Industry” platform aims to create synergy values by uniting the main parties - the academic circles, the state, and the business community - capable of laying the foundation for innovative development.
Then the first panel of the forum began, at which the participants exchanged their views on such topics as the criteria of the science-based economy index, the mechanism for implementing the University-State-Industry model within a knowledge-based economy, transfer of the innovation ecosystem and technologies.
In the second panel, presentations on the topics of “The position of the national innovation system in a knowledge-based economy” and “The stages of ICT development and transition to a knowledge-based economy” were made.
The speakers highlighted the role of the national innovation system in the formation of the innovative model for developing countries.
Then, presentations were made on the topic of “New educational paradigms in a knowledge-based economy: the changing role of universities; the economic and institutional frameworks for the formation of a knowledge-based economy”.
The position of education and institutional frameworks in the formation of a knowledge-based economy was also discussed.
Towards the end of the event, concrete proposals were made on the building and development of a knowledge-based economy in Azerbaijan.