Azerbaijan.US
In Azerbaijan, the value of a university diploma is increasingly being questioned – not because higher education has lost its importance, but because many graduates struggle to translate academic knowledge into real jobs.
Education expert Ilgar Orujov argues that the core problem lies in the weak connection between universities and the labor market.
According to Orujov, universities should remain key institutions for workforce development, but four years of classroom-based education often fail to equip students with practical skills demanded by employers. As a result, even high-performing graduates can find themselves unprepared for professional life.
The expert stresses that responsibility is shared among three actors: students, universities, and the state. Students must actively build skills alongside formal education; universities should align curricula with labor market needs and track graduate outcomes; and the government should shape education quotas based on long-term economic demand.
International experience offers clear lessons. In countries such as the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, graduate employability plays a major role in university rankings, funding decisions, and institutional reputation. In some systems, poor employment outcomes can even lead to reduced enrollment quotas or the closure of underperforming programs.
One of the most effective tools, Orujov notes, is dual education and structured internship programs, where academic study is combined with ongoing work experience in companies. These models allow students to gain practical skills before graduation and help employers identify talent early.
Without such reforms, Orujov warns, university degrees risk becoming formal certificates rather than real pathways into the workforce. Strengthening internships, career centers, and partnerships with businesses is essential if higher education is to meet the expectations of both young people and the economy.
