BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 27. A digital
competencies framework is being prepared in Azerbaijan, separately
for the general population and for civil servants, the head of the
Digital Competencies Development Department at the Innovation and
Digital Development Agency (IDDA), Vusala Gurbanova, said during
the event on "Digital skills: today's results, tomorrow's
opportunities" held in Baku on Tuesday, Trend’s correspondent reports from the
event.


According to her, an assessment of the digital literacy of
various population groups in the country, including schoolchildren,
university students, and teachers, is currently underway. At the
same time, the digital skills of civil servants are also being
evaluated. Out of the approximately 30,000 civil servants included
in the scope of this assessment, nearly 29,000 have participated in
the survey.


Gurbanova noted that cooperation is being maintained with the
Austrian Agency for Economy, Employment, and Development regarding
the creation of a digital competence framework. This initiative is
based on the Digital Competence Framework (DigComp) endorsed by the
European Union.


"In collaboration with this agency, we are preparing a digital
competence framework tailored for Azerbaijan. We are working on two
separate documents: one intended for the general population and the
other for civil servants. This is because the digital literacy and
competence requirements of these two groups are not the same," she
pointed out.


According to the department head, it is not feasible to wait for
the preparation of framework documents and the completion of
assessments before taking action to enhance digital skills. The
rapid development of technology necessitates that training in this
area be conducted immediately.







"We cannot afford to wait, first drafting a framework document,
then conducting assessments, and only then working to improve the
population's digital literacy. We don't have time; we must
accelerate. That is why we have already begun the training,"
Gurbanova explained.


She also touched upon the "Digital Horizons" project, which is
aimed at developing the digital skills of civil servants. She noted
that training sessions under the project began on October 12, and
as of October 27, 4,210 civil servants had received a certificate
from IRIA.


Gurbanova remarked that civil servants from the regions have
also been actively participating in the project. According to her,
civil servants from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic have shown
particular engagement in terms of submitting applications and
providing information.


The department head emphasized the importance of expanding
training on digital literacy for accelerating digital
transformation within the public sector. According to her, the
development of competency frameworks for the general public and
civil servants will facilitate the organization of training
tailored to specific needs and enable the systematic development of
digital skills.