AZE.US
Azerbaijan is considering a plan to gradually move some higher education institutions out of Baku and into the regions by 2030, according to discussions now taking shape around the initiative.
The proposal is being presented as part of a broader effort to reduce pressure on the capital while strengthening educational and economic activity outside Baku. The idea has already appeared in official planning documents, though it is still at the discussion stage.
The debate goes beyond traffic alone. Supporters of the initiative say relocating some universities, increasing admissions in regional institutions and expanding existing branches could help ease congestion in Baku, where thousands of students rely on the metro and road network every day.
At the same time, the issue is drawing mixed reactions. Some residents see it as a practical way to reduce overcrowding and traffic jams in the capital. Others question how realistic such a move would be for students, families and faculty, especially in a country where many young people continue living with their parents during their university years.
Experts say any relocation plan would only work if it is backed by serious infrastructure investment. That includes new campuses, dormitories, transport links and services that would allow students to live near where they study rather than commute long distances.
They argue that without those conditions, moving universities out of Baku would risk becoming a formal administrative step with limited real effect. But if paired with housing and mobility upgrades, the shift could help improve traffic flow in the capital while also creating new educational hubs in the regions.
Lawmakers have suggested that the process should be carried out in stages. Among the options being discussed are turning some regional branches into full universities, raising admission quotas outside Baku and moving certain institutions that overlap in profile.
Supporters of the plan also point to a wider regional impact. A stronger university presence outside the capital could stimulate local economies, create jobs and help spread educational opportunities more evenly across the country.
For now, the proposal remains under discussion. But the fact that it is being debated at an official level suggests that Azerbaijan is increasingly looking at education policy as part of a larger strategy to rebalance development between Baku and the regions.