Speakers

Vafa Kazdal

Vafa Kazdal

Place of Birth : Azerbaijan
Born : 1974
Position : Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs, ADA University, Azerbaijan
Field of study : Higher Education Administration


Biography:

Dr. Vafa Kazdal currently serves as the Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs at ADA University. She joined ADA in 2009 as a Director of the English for Academic and Professional Purposes Program. She developed a variety of English language programs, including English for Diplomats, Academic and Professional English for graduate students, a one-year Foundation English for undergraduate students, as well as different custom-tailored English programs. In 2012 she became Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, which introduced the first-of-its-kind Liberal Arts program in the country. Her next career move was in 2014 when she became the Dean of the School of Education, encompassing English for Academic and Professional Purposes Program, Arts and Humanities Program and graduate and certificate programs in the areas of educational leadership and teacher development. Prior to joining ADA, she was a Director of the Center for Academic Reading and Writing and a professor of Applied Linguistics at Azerbaijan University of Languages. She holds a Master’s degree in English Language Studies and Methods from the University of Warwick, UK and a doctorate in Pedagogy from the Azerbaijan University of Languages. She is also a recipient of such professional development awards as Junior Faculty Development Program (Indiana University, Bloomington, USA), Oxford Hospitality Scheme Program (Oxford University, UK), Ronald and Eileen Weiser Professional Development (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA).

Current Research and Recent Achievements:

Her teaching and research are in the areas of educational policy and administration, teacher education, program design, implementation, and evaluation, as well as language and identity.

As Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs she provides strategic leadership to guide University programs into the future; Ensures enhancement of the overall effectiveness and quality of academic programs; Leads the development and enforces implementation of academic policies, procedures, and university core requirements; Oversees student recruitment process and student records; Oversees faculty recruitment process and evaluation of teaching effectiveness; Leads academic planning process; Provides oversight of assessment of Student Learning Outcomes and college-wide accreditation; Serves on University Senate, committees and participates in other University-related initiatives.

Experiences:
  • Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs, ADA University, Baku, Azerbaijan, (2017-present)

  • Founding Dean, School of Education, ADA University, Baku, Azerbaijan, (2015-2017)

  • Founding Dean, School of Humanities and Sciences, ADA University, Baku, Azerbaijan (2011 – present)

  • Founding Director of English for Academic and Professional Purposes Program, ADA University, Baku, Azerbaijan, (2009 – 2011)

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