The opening ceremony of the Academy of the Ministry of Emergencies has been held.

The ceremony was attended by the President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev.

With the creation of the Ministry of Emergencies in Azerbaijan in 2005 in accordance with the Decree of President Ilham Aliyev, the country began implementing comprehensive measures in the field of civil defence, protecting territories from emergencies of natural and man-made nature and ensuring the safety of the population. Thanks to the attention of our head of state, the material-technical base of the Ministry was reinforced and success was achieved in organizing training, sharing information and in other areas. The most modern equipment, rescue equipment, special clothing, hardware and appliances were purchased. Over the years, nine regional centres of the ministry were created and new administrative buildings were built and put into operation. All this played an important role in the successful elimination of the consequences of the flood that occurred on the Kura River in 2010 and the earthquake in the western region of the country in 2012. Over the past period, increasing the human capacity of the Ministry and taking important steps in this direction have also been the focus of President Ilham Aliyev. So the Academy of the Ministry of Emergencies, established in accordance with the decree signed by our head of state in 2008, is important from this point of view. The Academy, which started its work in 2009 and accepted its first students in the same year, released its first graduates in 2013. Without a doubt, the forces of the Ministry, who demonstrated genuine dedication while liquidating the consequences of natural disasters in our country and abroad, will continue to guard the safety of our citizens.

Minister of Emergencies Colonel-General Kamaladdin Heydarov reported to Azerbaijani President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev.

First the head of state visited the monument to the national leader Heydar Aliyev in the courtyard of the Academy and laid flowers on it.

President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Academy.

It was noted that the Academy meets modern requirements for special purpose institutions providing training for staff with special higher education, implementing additional training in the spheres of activity of the Ministry of Emergencies and carrying out fundamental and applied research work in the field of emergencies. In recent years, a lot has been done to stuff this institution of education with qualified personnel, organize the teaching process in accordance with legal acts and regulations, conduct scientific research in the field of emergencies and perform other important tasks. Currently the Academy has 502 cadets and 62 professors and teachers. In 2013, 100 people graduated from the Academy. They acquired specialities of engineers in life safety and fire safety.

It was reported that the Academy consists of faculties of life safety, fire safety, retraining and advanced training, supplementary training, distance learning and six departments. From the first days of the Academy's activities, the compliance of the content of learning with the principles of the Bologna process was secured and teaching was conducted according to the requirements of the European system of credits transfer.

While inspecting conditions created in the complex of professional expertise and special training of the Academy, which is ruled by a high learning process and where subject-specific classrooms and auditoriums are provided with all the necessary equipment, President Ilham Aliyev was informed that there are special classrooms for rescue, medical training, training of divers and climbers, signalling and other areas. In addition, laboratories equipped with the necessary equipment offer great opportunities for teaching at a high level.

It was noted that the educational process, as well as examinations are carried out using computers and Internet technologies. Along with the educational process, the Academy focuses on the education of youth in the spirit of patriotism. Effective cooperation has been established with relevant institutions in different countries. Staff and students of the Academy have participated in several international conferences and events.

In the courtyard of the Academy, a large stadium has been built and all conditions are right for students to practice sports. President Ilham Aliyev familiarized himself with the equipment, which was recently purchased and handed over to the Ministry of Emergencies.

Then the head of state visited the Heydar Aliyev Centre created at the Academy. This centre makes it possible to look through the pages of the eventful life of the great leader and familiarize oneself with a 33-year period of the history of Azerbaijan. The conditions created at the Centre, where the heritage of the great leader is widely reflected, the broad exhibition and photo stands allow Academy cadets to deeply learn the heritage of the national leader Heydar Aliyev. In order to hand over the rich heritage of the great leader to future generations, there is a virtual classroom, a library and a special corner where documents relating to the national leader are stored.

President Ilham Aliyev toured the museum created at the Academy of the Ministry of Emergencies. It provides extensive information about the history of the Academy and the successes gained over the last five years. The museum also keeps the banner of the Academy. It must be remembered that in March this year, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the Statute of the Academy Banner.

Then, President Ilham Aliyev met with the staff of the Academy.

The head of a department at the Academy, Bahar Jafarova, thanked the head of state and said:

- Mr President, welcome to our Academy. We are very glad to see you. Thank you for having given us this beautiful building. In accordance with your decree, Aydin Gafarov was awarded the title of "Honoured Worker of Science". I was also awarded the title of "Honoured Teacher". We are very grateful to you.

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After greeting the participants in the ceremony, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- I congratulate you on the forthcoming Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year.

On the eve of the holidays we celebrate the opening of the new Academy building. It is a very nice building. The most modern equipment and simulators have been installed. That is to say all conditions are right for the learning process. The building is constructed with high quality and taste. In general, the Academy of the Ministry of Emergencies became an excellent educational centre in a short time. I hope that in the future on the basis of the Academy, we will create an International Training and Education Centre. Opportunities available here give reason to say so, because I believe that in this region, our region, this Academy, of course, has its place. I am sure that citizens of neighbouring countries will come to study here. On this basis, I am sure, we will be able to create an International Training Centre. Of course, here, first of all, our rescuers will increase their knowledge. Youth will acquire specialities in various professions. There is a great need for that.

In general, the Ministry of Emergencies has come a long way since its inception to the present day. It has done a lot in the country and abroad. Unfortunately, natural disasters did not spare us. Torrents, floods and earthquakes dealt a big blow to our economy and the standard of living of people. But, fortunately, neither the flood nor the torrent nor the latest earthquake caused casualties or deaths. All citizens were promptly evacuated to temporary places of residence. Then, of course, the hard work began. As a result of the flood, tens of thousands of hectares of land and thousands of homes were flooded. In the short-term, we provided new homes for people affected by all this. The state built thousands of new homes that were handed over to citizens free of charge, as a gift. Schools were built, and I can say, within one year, we secured the implementation of the basic work in the earthquake zone. In the subsequent period, finalizing work was carried out.

As I said, no disaster can break us. The Azerbaijani state is a strong state. In the centre of our policy is the citizen of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani state undertook to carry out all reconstruction work and build houses. The state has paid all financial expenses. On the technical side, this job was done by Azerbaijani specialists. The Ministry of Emergencies played a big role in this work. This shows once again that there was a great deal of sense in the creation of the Ministry at the time. At the same time, today our rescuers perform rescue missions in foreign countries. During earthquakes, floods and fires in a number of countries, our groups took part in rescue work and were praised and given the highest awards of foreign countries. I believe that this experience is very important for us. Our rescuers acquire great experience and at the same time, Azerbaijan demonstrates its good intentions in this area. I have repeatedly said that our foreign policy is based on cooperation. And we must reach out to countries in distress and are doing so.

In general, technical support is at a high level today. In recent years, all the necessary technical equipment was purchased. The simulators installed here are also part of the equipment. That is to say there are no problems with technical supply today. However, there is still some equipment left from the past. But gradually, it will be updated too. In short, the material-technical base of the Ministry of Emergencies is strong, the professionalism of the staff is growing and the teaching process is organized correctly. The new building of the Academy shows this once again. I am sure that in the future, in connection with the functions of the Ministry there will be no problems.

Recently, the Ministry was given additional functions, including the protection of strategic facilities. In particular, the Ministry is responsible for guarding the Mingachevir and Jeyranbatan reservoirs. All security measures were taken in a short time. Both surveillance cameras and the security and alarm systems are installed at the most modern level. That is to say our strategic sites should be guarded and are guarded appropriately. I am sure that in the future, employees of the Ministry will work honourably and serve their Motherland faithfully.

Once again I congratulate you on this wonderful event.

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In conclusion, a memory photo was taken.