Education Management Specialist • STEAM Projects Manager

Aygun Dadashova

National English Language Teaching (ELT) Consultant at British Council in Azerbaijan

1. Professional Overview

Aygun Dadashova is an education management specialist and innovations in education projects manager with over 15 years of experience in teaching, educational program development, and project management.

Her work focuses on education innovation, STEAM education, youth development, teacher professional development, and project-based learning. She has designed and implemented several education projects supported by the U.S. and the UK Embassies in Azerbaijan.

Throughout her career, she has worked with teachers, students, and educational institutions to strengthen innovative teaching practices, entrepreneurship skills, and technology-based learning.

Her professional experience also includes collaboration with international organizations such as the British Council and national institutions, including the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan.

2. Education

Master’s Degree

Master of Arts – Education Management

University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong SAR | 2017–2018

Graduate Certificate

Graduate Certificate – International Affairs

University of Arkansas

Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program | USA | 2009–2010

Bachelor’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree – English Language Teaching

Lankaran State University

Azerbaijan | 2001–2005

3. Research Fellowship

RESEARCH FELLOW • 2022

Georg Eckert Institute for Educational Media

Germany

Research Topic: Gender Roles in Azerbaijani-Medium Secondary School Social Sciences Textbooks

The research examined gender representation in educational materials and contributed to discussions about gender equity and curriculum reform in education systems.

4. Professional Experience

Teaching and Learning Consultant

Edumax Academy | September 2025 – Present

  • Recruiting English language and international exam preparation instructors
  • Organizing induction training for newly hired teachers
  • Developing teaching and assessment resources
  • Observing lessons and providing pedagogical feedback

National English Language Teaching Consultant

British Council | October 2023 – Present

  • Supporting the international consultant in designing national ELT reforms
  • Developing structured action plans for working groups
  • Reviewing strategy documents and educational policy materials

5. International Education Projects

Aygun Dadashova has designed and managed several education and youth development projects supported by the U.S. and UK Embassies.

Project 1 • November 2024 – July 2025

SmartAg Oasis: Nurturing the STEAM Future of Azerbaijan

Supported by the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan

STEAM + Agriculture

Objective: To promote STEAM education and smart agriculture innovation among young people.

Key Activities

  • Training students in STEAM and agricultural technologies
  • Organizing project-based learning activities
  • Mentoring student teams developing innovative agriculture solutions

Outcome

Students developed innovative smart agriculture project ideas and prototypes integrating science, technology, and sustainability.

Project 2 • August 2024 – March 2025

Technovation for the STEAM Future of Azerbaijan

Supported by the UK Embassy in Azerbaijan

Climate + Technology

Objective: To empower youth to develop technology-based solutions addressing climate change challenges.

Key Activities

  • STEAM and climate innovation training sessions
  • Mentorship for startup idea development
  • Team project presentations and evaluation

Outcome

Participants developed technology-driven climate solutions, startup concepts, and prototypes.

Project 3 • January 2023 – September 2023

Using Project-Based Learning to Prepare Youth for Future Careers

Objective: To introduce project-based learning methodology and develop students’ innovation and teamwork skills.

Outcome: Participants developed practical projects addressing social and technological challenges.

Project 4 • Technovation for Azerbaijan

Supported by the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan

Objective: To empower youth to develop innovative, technology-based solutions to social problems

Key Activities

  • Coding, programming, and business training sessions
  • Mentorship for startup idea development
  • Team project presentations and evaluation

Outcome

Participants developed technology-driven solutions and startup concepts in their teams, and they presented to the jury members.

Project 5 • December 2020 – May 2021

Becoming Accurate and Fluent in English

Supported by the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan

Objective: To improve English language speaking and writing skills among students and teachers in regional areas.

Outcome: Students and teachers strengthened their communication, writing, public speaking, and presentation skills in English.

6. Geographic Coverage of Projects

Education programs were implemented in 3 cities and 11 regions of Azerbaijan.

Cities

  • Lankaran
  • Sheki
  • Ganja

Regions

Astara
Masalli
Jalilabad
Lerik
Yardimli
Salyan
Khachmaz
Guba
Shabran
Kurdamir
Jabrayil

7. Project Impact

293

Students participated in training programs

95

English teachers received professional development training

4

Key training areas: English, STEAM, Project-Based Learning, Entrepreneurship

Implemented across 3 cities and 11 regions of Azerbaijan

8. Alumni Achievements

International Opportunities

  • 3 students were selected for the Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) in the United States.
  • 1 teacher became a finalist of the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program.
  • 1 teacher was selected for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program to pursue a master’s degree in the United States.
  • 1 participant joined the Professional Fellows Program in the United States.

Academic and Professional Achievements

  • 4 teachers were selected for an EFL development program at the University of North Carolina supported by the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan.
  • 1 student represented Azerbaijan at the World Robot Olympiad in Singapore.
  • 1 student was admitted to Bilkent University through the Azerbaijan State Study Abroad Program.
  • 1 student gained university admission to ADA University after winning a bronze medal in a national Olympiad.

9. Academic Contributions

Continuous Teacher Professional Development Policy Analysis

International Education Conference, ADA University | 2023

Gender Roles in Azerbaijani-Medium Secondary School Literature Textbooks

International Education Conference, ADA University | 2019

10. Professional Development

Startup Policy Capacity Building Program – Korea International Cooperation Agency
Viveka Startup Mentorship Program – Supported by Pasha Holding
Higher Education for Tomorrow Summer Institute – University of Hong Kong
Erasmus+ Youth Training Program – Netherlands
Peace Building Training Programs – Germany and the United States

11. Skills

Languages

Azerbaijani – Native
English – Fluent
Turkish – Intermediate

Technical Skills

  • Microsoft Office Suite & Google WorkspaceAdvanced
  • Learning Management Systems (LMS), Zoom, Google Meet, PadletAdvanced
  • Artificial Intelligence Tools (ChatGPT, Grok, Microsoft Copilot)Advanced

12. Professional Mission

Aygun Dadashova’s professional mission is to contribute to the development of innovative, inclusive, and future-oriented education systems that empower youth with the skills needed for global citizenship, technological innovation, and sustainable development.

Her work focuses on bridging education, entrepreneurship, and technology to create meaningful learning opportunities for students and teachers.

Bridging education • entrepreneurship • technology