BP Launches Interactive Science Project

BP launched the first step of a new educational initiative in Baku today to help promote science through increasing access to better-quality science education in Azerbaijan.

The overall project will concentrate on three main science subjects: chemistry, physics and biology. It will offer a well-tested teacher training model initiating active teaching and learning approaches. It will also provide significant support for the implementation of the new curriculum for the three designated science subjects.

The project will be administered by the British Council, BP’s successful long time partner in educational initiatives in Azerbaijan, in partnership with a consortium of local and international partners, including the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan, National Science Learning Centre from UK, and Azerbaijan In-service Teachers’ Training Institute.

BP will spend approximately $240,000 for the implementation of this year’s pilot project which is aimed at capacity building for a core group of teacher trainers and teachers. It will target 56 educators, including 23 teacher trainers from Azerbaijan In-service Teachers’ Training Institute, 13 university instructors, 15 science teachers representing five pilot schools from Baku, Sumqayit, Salyan, Lankaran and Ganja, five principals and education officers from the five pilot regions.

“BP has selected this project to help the country strengthen its capacity in science education, and train potential leaders in this area. In a longer term, we hope, the project will have a national impact through reaching every single science teacher throughout the country and equipping them with a set of interactive teaching skills easy to adapt to all science subjects at schools. We believe the initiative is structured in the best possible way to reach this long-term goal,” says Seymour Khalilov, BP’s Vice-President, Communications and External Affairs.

Notes to Editors:

In Azerbaijan BP to date has sponsored a number of educational projects:

• In January 2008 BP signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Baku with the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) to help build academic capability and knowledge through a number of projects. The projects are aimed at supporting the next generation of geoscientists in developing their skills in-country and in sustainably enhancing Azerbaijan’s world-class industry capability.
• BP on behalf of its co-venturers has also operated for a number of years an annual scholarship programme called Azerbaijan Oil and Gas Scholarship Programme to promote economic and social development in Azerbaijan by enabling bright young Azerbaijanis to undertake studies in foreign and national educational insitutions. Some 104 students are currently studying in USA, UK, Turkey Russia and Azerbaijan through this programme
• BP on behalf of its co-venturers together with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) also sponsors the Green Pack project - a multimedia, interactive educational tool which aims at enhancing environmental knowledge of school teachers and 1-11 grade students. This joint initiative represents a unique investment in children’s environmental awareness and overall education in Azerbaijan.
• BP on behalf of its co-venturers also operates the Caspian Energy Center (CEC) – a facility designed as an educational tool primarily for use by secondary schools to help educate children about the natural resources of the country and how these are used in our everyday life. In 2007, CEC had 8,478 visitors, including 5,855 children.
• In addition, BP has provided seven outstanding Azerbaijani graduates with the opportunity to pursue Master’s degree courses at top rank UK universities for 2007-2008 programme. The programme covers a variety of discipline areas including public administration, banking, finance, accounting and economics.

For further information please contact:

Tamam Bayatly, BP Baku Press office, telephone: 994 (0) 12 599 4557