Academician Rasim Alguliyev: “In the context of global technological challenges, software engineering is becoming one of the main pillars of the state’s cyber sovereignty”

Regular scientific conferences, roundtable discussions, and seminars should be held in our country on the current scientific problems, achieved results, and future prospects of software engineering, and these issues should be brought to the attention of the wider public and relevant government agencies. At the same time, financial resources and grants should be allocated to ensure more effective fundamental research in this field, and overall institutional support for the development of software engineering should be strengthened.

Academician Rasim Alguliyev, Vice-President of ANAS and Director General of the Institute of Information Technology of the Ministry of Science and Education, voiced these views during a scientific seminar at the institute, addressing the current problems, achievements, new challenges, and future tasks in the field of software engineering in our country today.

The academician gave the information that for more than 20 years, the Institute of Information Technology has been conducting multifaceted research on the scientific, theoretical, and technological problems of software engineering, and that in 2017, the first national conference on “Current Scientific and Practical Problems of Software Engineering” was held in the country.

The scientist noted that in the new stage of civilization, there is intense global geopolitical and economic competition among superpowers in the field of software engineering. He emphasized that, in this context, Azerbaijan needs to expand scientific research in the field and develop a range of software products serving national economic and security interests, using internationally recognized programming languages and operating systems.

Assessing software engineering as one of the main pillars of the state’s cyber sovereignty, the academician said that, in line with the strategic tasks and national development priorities set by the head of state, it is essential to implement comprehensive and consistent measures in this field. “Countries that do not pay attention to software engineering issues become dependent on the software products of other states, which poses serious risks and threats to the state’s cyber sovereignty. As a wise saying goes, a state that does not maintain its own army will be forced to maintain someone else’s army,” he added.

The scientist said that global challenges, along with the state policy being implemented in our country in ICT, digitalization, and artificial intelligence (AI), make the training of highly qualified personnel in software engineering essential. He also emphasized that preparing competitive professional software engineers is critically important for national security, digital sovereignty, and economic development.

Academician Rasim Alguliyev noted that there are currently certain shortcomings in the content, textbooks, and teaching materials used for the “Software Engineering” program at higher education institutions in our country. He emphasized the need for close and continuous cooperation between the institute’s staff and universities. The scientist also expressed confidence that providing scientific and methodological support to professors and lecturers, along with organizing master classes for students, would make a significant contribution to the development of the field.

Academician Rasim Alguliyev emphasized that the regulatory and legal framework, ethical guidelines, unified educational standards, and methodological approaches governing the field of software engineering in our country have not yet been fully established and noted that taking the necessary steps in this direction would be appropriate.

According to the scientist, it is highly important to study advanced research in the field of software engineering worldwide, transfer it to Azerbaijan, and adapt it to the country’s scientific and educational environment. “Transferring the acquired knowledge and experience to young researchers, doctoral students, and dissertators through scientific seminars will foster the generation of new ideas and play a significant role in the development of this field,” he added.

The Vice President of ANAS also touched upon the issue of expanding cooperation relations with the USA, European countries, China, Türkiye, and other states in the field of software engineering. According to the academician, the institute should demonstrate an initiative position in this direction, prepare for scientific conferences on software engineering at a high level, and draw the attention of relevant scientific institutions and organizations, universities, and government agencies to this issue.

During his speech, Academician Rasim Alguliyev put forward a number of important proposals, taking into account the strategic role of software engineering in the country’s digital development and the safeguarding of cyber sovereignty. He stated that the current state and pressing scientific problems of software engineering should first be analyzed comprehensively, and the existing challenges and development trends in the field should be assessed on a scientific basis.

The scientist highlighted the importance of strengthening the human resources capacity of the department conducting research in software engineering at the institute. He noted that expanding fundamental research in this field and training young scientists, PhD holders, and Doctors of Science are among the key tasks facing the institute. He also emphasized that the institute’s staff should take a leading role in promoting software engineering, actively engage on social media platforms, and participate in the preparation of monographs, textbooks, methodological materials, brochures, and educational publications.

The academician emphasized the importance of regularly organizing seminars, conducting joint scientific research, and applying a multidisciplinary approach to address the multifaceted challenges of software engineering. “As a result of consistent and comprehensive measures in this direction, software engineering can become one of the leading fields ensuring Azerbaijan’s technological sovereignty,” he said.

The Director General also addressed the development prospects of software engineering in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and modern technological challenges. He noted that technologies such as data analytics, AI, big data, and the Internet of Things are imposing entirely new requirements on the field. He emphasized the importance of examining issues arising from the application of AI, including algorithmic bias, cybersecurity, and reliability.

The academician noted that in the modern era, software engineering is not limited to professional activities in the labor market but has also become a field of mass character in a broad sense. He added that, in this regard, forming a software engineering culture among citizens as an integral part of digital literacy in society is essential.

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