UNEC
has introduced a significant innovation in the higher education
system aimed at enhancing graduates’ integration into the labor
market.
The “Non-Academic Transcript” project, which has been developed
at the university over a period exceeding three years, has been
successfully completed. This initiative will be implemented for the
first time not only in Azerbaijan but also across the region.
It is widely acknowledged that leading universities around the
world typically provide graduates with academic transcripts
reflecting their subject-specific knowledge and academic
performance. However, the evolving demands of the modern labor
market demonstrate that theoretical knowledge alone is no longer
sufficient. Employers increasingly place emphasis on candidates’
individual competencies, such as leadership, communication,
teamwork, and problem-solving skills, commonly referred to as soft
skills.
In response to these emerging requirements, UNEC has developed
the Non-Academic Transcript, which will formally certify the
non-academic competencies that students acquire throughout their
university experience. The project will enter its pilot testing
phase in April, while official examinations for obtaining the
non-academic transcript are scheduled to commence in May.
The assessment process will be conducted based on ten key
criteria, including leadership, teamwork, analytical thinking,
problem-solving, creativity, social responsibility, and other
essential competencies. Through this evaluation, students’ personal
and professional skills will be measured according to objective
standards and formally documented. This document will enable
employers to evaluate candidates’ potential more comprehensively
and objectively, and is expected to significantly enhance the
competitiveness of UNEC graduates in the labor market.
