Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS): A corporate university expansion
This webinar is a part of an Innovative Universities Global Webinar Series.
Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) was founded in 2011, by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, with the mission of training highly qualified specialists to meet the needs of Azerbaijan's energy and industrial sectors, specifically the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries. BHOS, located in Baku, actively collaborates with universities and companies within the sector; SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic) is a major partner and sponsor. Through these partnerships, BHOS students have access to on-site training and internships. Consistently ranked as a top engineering and technical institution in Azerbaijan, its graduates are in high demand locally and internationally, by multinational energy companies like SOCAR and BP.
Dr. Sevda Zargarova, Vice-Rector for Education and Science at Baku Higher Oil School
- Sevda Zargarova is a distinguished academic in the field of chemical engineering.
- As of January 2024, she holds the position of Vice-Rector for Education and Science at BHOS.
- She completed her secondary education at physics, mathematics, and IT-oriented lyceum.
- Before beginning her academic career at Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) in 2013 as a lecturer in the Chemical Engineering Department, Zargarova had gained experience in the industry.
Isak Frumin:
- Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) stands out not only as a part of a major oil company but also as an innovative institution with strong impact on other universities. I think that main lessons for other universities connected to this unusual symbiosis
- Integration with SOCAR’s expertise: As a subsidiary of SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic), BHOS benefits from direct access to industry expertise and resources. This integration allows for the development of a curriculum that is not only industry-relevant but also forward-thinking, incorporating the latest trends and technologies in energy production and management.
- Project-based learning using real industry cases. SOCAR supports cutting-edge laboratories at BHOS allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations.
- Despite close partnership with a major company, BHOS is trying to build its own strategy in such areas as business development and IT. But they apply the same industry connection approaches.
