bp, on behalf of its co-venturers in the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Shah Deniz, and South Caucasus Pipeline projects – SOCAR, TPAO, LUKOIL, SGC, NICO, MOL, INPEX, ExxonMobil, ITOCHU, ONGC Videsh, Eni, MVM, and TotalEnergies is pleased to announce the successful completion of a social investment project aimed at promoting inclusivity by enhancing communication with and among individuals with hearing and speech impairments.
The project was implemented in collaboration with Nar and ADA University.
The initiative reflects bp’s and its co-venturers’ ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive society and supporting the broader educational development in Azerbaijan.
The project focused on the development of a new mobile application designed as an accessible and interactive platform for learning Azerbaijani sign language. Based on a pedagogical approach, the application goes far beyond a basic dictionary, offering structured lessons, interactive exercises, quizzes and assessments that ensure comprehensive language acquisition.
The newly launched application functions as an intuitive user interface tailored for Azerbaijani speakers. It includes 789 ready-to-use videos, 358 sign language words and 27 illustrative images, specifically developed as project materials to ensure an engaging and effective learning experience. This content not only helps users build their sign language vocabulary but also enables them to practice real-life communication scenarios through visual and interactive tools.
The mobile application will be available for download on major app platforms.
“True inclusivity begins with communication. By supporting the development of this mobile app, bp and its co-venturers together with Nar and ADA University aim to contribute to building a society where everyone has the opportunity to be heard and understood. This project is not just about an innovative educational tool - it’s about creating opportunities for understanding, empathy, and connection. We believe that every person should be provided with suitable tools to feel like a full member of society. By fostering inclusion, equal access and equal opportunities, this project aims to support efforts to that end.”
The project was completed over a period of 12 months, with bp and its co-venturers’ contribution being around 117,000 AZN ($68,824). This covers the cost of all phases of the initiative, including data collection, consultations with sign language experts, design, development and testing of the application, as well as deployment to app stores and cloud hosting services.
The project was implemented by ADA University and the ADA University Foundation.
Notes to editors:
bp has been present in Azerbaijan for 33 years safely, efficiently and reliably operating major oil and gas exploration, development and transportation projects. To date, together with its co-venturers, bp has invested more than $87 billion into projects it operates in the country. In Azerbaijan, we are committed to supporting sustainability efforts focusing on the areas where we believe we can make the most difference.
bp’s extensive social investment activities and capacity-building efforts in the country have had a positive impact and brought tangible benefits to people, improving their lives and making a difference.
The company’s and its co-venturers’ social investments cover such areas as building local capabilities, education, development of communities, local enterprises, the environment, sporting potential as well as research into and promotion of the country’s rich cultural heritage. Overall, since the start, bp itself and together with its co-venturers in the joint ventures that bp operates in Azerbaijan, has spent more than $111 million on social investment projects in this country.
In Azerbaijan, bp directly employs around 2,395 Azerbaijani citizens who make over 90 per cent of the company’s professional staff.
For more information about bp and its co-venturers’ social investment projects please visit the bp Azerbaijan site at www.bp.com/azerbaijan.
Tamam Bayatly at bp’s press office in Baku.
Telephone: (+994 12) 525 58 95