Western Caspian University () is a private university in Baku, Azerbaijan. Founded in 1991 by Husein Baghirov, it has six schools, 25 majors, 180 faculty and approximately 1500 students. The university took its name because it is modeled after Western universities in style of instruction and values, the latter in response to some of the corrupt practices under the Soviet system. Much of the instruction is conducted in English.
In the late 1990s, the school partnered with American universities, such as Indiana University, to help set up its programs in business and law. Many of its partnerships were formed through the now defunct United States Information Agency. Currently, the school has ties with Indiana University, University of Kansas, Mississippi Valley State University, University of North Alabama and Delta State University.
History
Foundation
Founded in 1991, Western Caspian University is one of the first private higher education institutions established in Azerbaijan. The university became a member of several significant institutions, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO (1992); the European Development Fund (EDF) (the European Centre for Development Policy Management – ECDPM) (1996); The Black Sea Universities Network (BSUN, 1999); The International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS, 2000), and The European Association for Tourism and Leisure Education (ATLAS). Western Caspian University maintains close co-operation with many authoritative international educational institutions.
Founding of this institution was influenced by the socio-political and economic processes passing in Eastern Europe and the CIS area after the collapse of the USSR in 1991.
Organization and administration
Schools, faculties and departments
Western Caspian University offers broad programs at bachelor, master and PhD levels.
The School of High Technologies and Innovative Engineering
The School of High Technologies and Innovative Engineering was founded in 1991, entitled "The School of Mathematics and Computer Technologies.”
During its activity, the school trained specialists in Information Science and Computer Engineering, IT and Systems Engineering, as well as Computer Engineering and Information Technology specialists. In 2017, the department was renamed as The School of High Technologies and Innovative Engineering. Presently, the following specialisations are available at the school:
Bachelor (Undergraduate) Programs
Computer Engineering; Information Technologies; Mechanical Engineering; Ecological Engineering; Construction of Engineering Systems and Facilities Engineering; Instrumentation Engineering; Electronics, Telecommunications and Radio Engineering; Mechatronics & Robotics Engineering; Recycling and Restoration Technologies Engineering; Polygraph Engineering; System Engineering; Engineering of Forest Products and Wood Processing Technologies; Consumer Goods Expertise and Marketing; Forestry; Land, Soil and Urban Cadastre; Biology.
Master (Postgraduate) Programs
Management Information Systems; Agriculture and Environmental Protection.
PhD Programs
System Analysis, Management and Information processing.
The School of Architecture and Design
The School of Architecture and Design was established in 2017 at Western University. This school was founded under the auspices of the Design Department that had functioned since 1996.
The following specialisations are available at the school for Bachelor, Master, PhD and doctoral studies:
Bachelor Programs
Design
Architecture
Master Programs
Design and Technical Aesthetics
PhD and Doctoral Studies
Technical Aesthetics and Design
School of Economics
Activities in this field have been conducted since the first day of Western Caspian University. Various specialisations are available at the school – such as “Economy”, “Finance and Accounting”, “Management” and “Consumer Goods and Expertise in Marketing”. The school provides specialisation in the following subject areas:
Bachelor level
World Economy
Economy
Public and Municipal Administration
Industrial Engineering and Management
Consumer Goods, Expertise in Marketing
Master level
International Economic Relations
Legal Regulation of the Economy
International Financial and Currency Credit Relations
PhD level
World Economy
Local Economy
Business School
The Business School provides training in the following specialisations: