Phase I
The Development Economics Academy is a two-phase initiative designed to strengthen economic policymaking capacity in Azerbaijan’s public sector by equipping government employees with advanced analytical, evaluation, and decision-making skills aligned with international best practices.
In its first phase, fully funded by SOCAR and its partners in the South Caucasus Pipeline Company (SCPC), the program was implemented in partnership with the Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC). This phase specifically aimed to build institutional capacity within government institutions and state-owned enterprises by providing access to the MIT MicroMasters Program in Data, Economics, and Development Policy (DEDP). Forty employees from 14 institutions were selected, including the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, the State Tax Service, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Service on Property Issues under the Ministry of Economy.
Participants advanced step by step through the rigorous MIT MicroMasters curriculum, beginning with introductory courses and moving on to higher-level modules in data-driven economic analysis and policy design. Through this structured pathway, they developed advanced skills in data analysis, policy evaluation, and evidence-based decision-making.
Upon completion, graduates were awarded the MIT MicroMasters certificate, an internationally respected credential recognized for academic credit at leading universities worldwide, and which may serve as a pathway to a full Master’s degree at institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), The George Washington University, Harvard Extension School, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), University of San Francisco, and many others globally. Thus, Phase I introduced international best practices in economic policy and development, while also helping participants build professional networks within the public sector that are expected to support greater collaboration and institutional learning.
Phase II
In its second phase, the Development Economics Academy, fully funded by SOCAR and its partners in the South Caucasus Pipeline Company (SCPC), offered a unique learning opportunity for 28 young professionals across Azerbaijan to participate in the prestigious MIT MicroMasters Program in Data, Economics, and Development Policy (DEDP). The program was implemented in partnership with Khazar University.
Unlike the first phase of the project, which focused on civil servants, this round specifically targeted young economists and professionals under the age of 35, holding degrees in Economics or related fields. The program enabled local professionals to access and complete this globally recognized program online, while receiving weekly in-person academic facilitation and customized support from local university professors.
Participants were selected from over 200 nationwide applicants, representing a broad range of professional sectors. They first completed foundational courses in Mathematics and Statistics to prepare for the academic rigor of the program and then progressed through the MIT MicroMasters Program in Data, Economics, and Development Policy (DEDP), a globally recognized curriculum focused on data-driven economic analysis and policy design. To support their learning and help ensure successful completion, participants also received weekly in-person academic facilitation and tailored guidance from local university professors. Upon completion, participants were awarded the MIT MicroMasters certificate, an internationally respected credential recognized for academic credit at universities around the world and serving as a pathway to full Master’s degree programs at leading institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), The George Washington University, Harvard Extension School, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), University of San Francisco, and many others globally.
