The experience of Germany, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia has been studied at the "Digital Academy."
The strategic session of the “Digital Academy” program, held under the initiative of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA) and in partnership with the Hertie School of Governance in Germany, has concluded.
Since December 2024, the strategic session brought together nearly 70 senior officials from over 40 government agencies, including deputy ministers and advisors. Throughout the session, visits were made to Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore to explore their digital development practices, and opportunities for collaboration with relevant institutions were also discussed.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Samir Mammadov emphasized that the “Digital Academy” program aims to enhance digital competencies in the public sector, foster collaboration, promote result-oriented projects, and improve Azerbaijan's positions in international rankings. He stressed that developing digital competencies is among the priorities outlined in the “Digital Development Concept” of the Republic of Azerbaijan: "Successful digital transformation is impossible without developing the necessary competencies. The advancement of digital skills is one of the state's priorities and is also reflected in the ‘Digital Development Concept’ approved earlier this year by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev.”
Next, Farid Osmanov, Chairman of IDDA, provided a brief overview of the “Digital Academy” since its inception. He also expressed confidence that the program would further strengthen inter-agency cooperation in digital transformation projects: "Today, we became more familiar with the experiences that the participants of the ‘Digital Academy’ acquired during their visits to other countries. I am confident that these examples will significantly contribute to the implementation of digital transformation projects in relevant government institutions."
Later in the event, presentations were delivered under the moderation of program experts Gerhard Hammerschmid and Mohammad Sear, focusing on the knowledge and experiences gained during the visits. Senior representatives of Azerigaz Production Union, the Ministry of Defense Industry, and the Ministry of Science and Education shared their insights regarding the practices they learned abroad and their potential applications. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice and the DOST Digital Innovation Center held a presentation session highlighting advanced digitalization practices in Azerbaijan.
On the second day of the final session, a seminar titled “Public-Private Partnerships for Digital Transformation: Managing Successful Collaborations and Building a GovTech Ecosystem” was conducted. The seminar showcased strategies for effectively leveraging the technological potential and innovative solutions of the private sector to ensure more successful digitalization in the public sector.
Following the seminar, a panel discussion was held with the participation of Rashad Khaligov, Deputy Chairman of IDDA, along with leading representatives of Azerbaijan’s private sector. The discussion focused on public-private partnerships, innovation transfer, and collaboration between public institutions and the private sector in developing human capital amid digitalization.
It should be noted that the “Digital Academy” strategic session, which has been held regularly since December 2024, is specifically designed for senior executives of government agencies. Throughout the session, numerous discussions were held around digital development trends aligned with Azerbaijan’s government priorities, analyzing the country’s strategic approach to digitalization and the experiences gained from international visits.
