Lee Won-jae, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Turkmenistan, hosted an official luncheon in honour of six students from Kangwon National University who had arrived in Ashgabat. The visit formed part of this year’s first short-term exchange programme between Kangwon National University and the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages, according to IIC Turkmenistan. According to the source, the project is being implemented under the Memorandum of Understanding on academic and educational cooperation, signed in 2025. According to the source, the South Korean students are in Ashgabat from 30 June to 6 July. The programme involves studying the Turkmen language and interacting with students from the Faculty of Korean Language and Literature at the Dovletmammet Azadi National Institute of World Languages. At the same time, six Turkmen students are taking part in a similar exchange programme at Kangwon National University in the Republic of Korea. The Ambassador expressed his hope that learning about the culture and traditions of Turkmenistan would enable the South Korean students to gain a better understanding of both countries. He also urged young people to maintain their interest in the development of Turkmen-South Korean relations.
Three universities in Turkmenistan have been included in the eighth edition of the international ‘THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026’ ranking, compiled by the British organisation ‘Times Higher Education’ (THE). This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The universities included in the ranking are the Oguz Han Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan, the Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Construction, and the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas. According to the 2026 assessment, Turkmen universities have improved their positions, demonstrating achievements across nine of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including quality education, affordable and clean energy, innovation and infrastructure. A total of 1,646 universities from 116 countries worldwide were included in the ranking.
Turkmen researcher Arslan Berdiyev has become the first person from Turkmenistan to defend a doctoral thesis at the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, part of the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This was reported by the Orient news agency. His research focuses on physical geography, geoinformation systems and Earth remote sensing technologies. During his studies, the researcher published a number of scientific articles in international journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. In July 2025, he was awarded the title of ‘Best International Student’ by the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The results of Arslan Berdiyev’s research can be used to monitor desertification, protect infrastructure in the Karakum Desert and implement joint environmental projects between Turkmenistan and China, including the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for Climate Technologies in Ashgabat.
Six students from the Korean Language Department of the Faculty of Oriental Languages and Literature at the Dowletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages are undertaking a study placement at Kangwon National University in Chuncheon (Republic of Korea). This was reported by the press office of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The placement is taking place from 29 June to 6 July as part of a memorandum of understanding on scientific and educational cooperation between the two universities. The programme aims to improve students’ knowledge of the Korean language, develop their practical skills and familiarise them with the culture of the Republic of Korea. The cooperation provides for the further development of joint educational and scientific projects, the organisation of international conferences, the professional development of teaching staff, the development of teaching materials and the expansion of academic exchanges. The implementation of such initiatives contributes to the professional development of students and the strengthening of scientific and humanitarian cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea.
Students from the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages are undertaking a placement in Germany as part of an academic partnership with Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. This was reported by the press office of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. From 29 June to 12 July, 15 students specialising in ‘German’ at the Faculty of European Languages and Literature are honing their language and teaching skills by taking part in a 72-hour practical training programme. The internship is aimed at developing practical proficiency in German, familiarising students with modern teaching methods and strengthening academic cooperation between the universities. The programme also contributes to expanding academic contacts, promoting academic mobility and strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties between Turkmenistan and Germany.
Lecturers from the Magtymguly Turkmen State University took part in the closing session of an international environmental project, held on 22–26 June 2026 in Bishkek. This was reported by the Orient news agency. Discussions focused on the development of higher education in the field of water resource management to strengthen climate resilience in Central Asia. The event was attended by Sh. Ashirmyradova, Head of the Department of Ecology, and lecturer E. Perdayev. It was organised by the German-Kazakh University in Almaty as part of the ‘ERASMUS+’ programme. A key outcome of the meeting was the review of the results of the ‘HWCA’ project. Participants discussed the introduction of new environmental education programmes, the exchange of academic practices and joint measures to combat climate change. Participation in this initiative contributes to the introduction of modern international approaches into Turkmenistan’s education system.
During the Turkmen delegation’s visit to Urumqi (PRC) to take part in the ‘Central Asia + China’ conference on cooperation in the fields of manufacturing, education, science and practice, agreements were signed in the field of education. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Framework agreements on cooperation in the teaching of the Chinese language were concluded by the Magtymguly Turkmen State University, the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages and the Seyitnazar Seydi Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute with the International Centre for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education of the PRC and Xinjiang Normal University. The agreements provide for the development of joint educational and research projects, the expansion of cultural exchange and the strengthening of a shared educational and information space between the parties.
Teachers from the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan are taking part in international Erasmus+ programme events held from 20 to 30 June at Angel Kanchev University of Ruse in the city of Ruse (Bulgaria). This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The purpose of the visit is to study modern approaches to higher education, exchange experience in innovative teaching methods and digital educational technologies, as well as to develop international scientific cooperation. On the first day, an opening ceremony was held with the participation of representatives from 13 universities across 10 countries, including Turkmenistan, Bulgaria, France, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Albania, and Montenegro. Participants presented the achievements of their institutions, international projects, and cooperation experience. During the programme, discussions focus on the implementation of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in the educational process, the development of blended learning, interactive teaching methods, improving the effectiveness of scientific research, and enhancing the competitiveness of universities. As part of the visit, the international conference “CompSysTech'26” is also taking place, dedicated to computer systems and technologies. Participants are examining issues related to the development of artificial intelligence, information systems, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, software, and digital transformation.
A ceremony for awarding the “Chinese Ambassador Scholarship” was held at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Turkmenistan. The laureates included 10 Turkmen students and school pupils who achieved outstanding results in studying the Chinese language, culture, and traditions, according to the information agency “Turkmenistan: Golden Age”. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the PRC to Turkmenistan, Ji Shumin, delivered a welcoming speech. He congratulated the awardees and noted the development of Chinese–Turkmen cooperation in the field of education. According to the diplomat, interest in studying the languages and cultures of both countries continues to grow. He stated that more than 10,000 Turkmen citizens are currently studying at universities in the People’s Republic of China, while the number of Chinese students in Turkmenistan is also increasing. The ambassador emphasized that academic exchange contributes to strengthening bilateral cooperation. Ji Shumin noted that cooperation has been supported by agreements reached during the March visit to China by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership. The Chinese ambassador expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan for supporting joint educational initiatives, and also thanked teachers for their work. At the end of the ceremony, the diplomat wished the laureates success in their studies and expressed confidence that the younger generation will continue to strengthen friendship between Turkmenistan and China.
On June 25, Turkmenistan's Minister of Education, Jumamurat Gurbangeldiyev, held a meeting with the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Turkmenistan, J. M. Al-Attar. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for expanding cooperation between Turkmenistan and Iraq in the fields of education, science, and cultural and humanitarian interaction. The interlocutors emphasized the importance of strengthening friendly ties between the two countries and expressed their interest in further developing contacts between educational institutions. The meeting also focused on potential joint projects aimed at expanding academic cooperation, exchanging professional experience, and strengthening humanitarian ties. At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continuing a constructive dialogue and exploring new areas of cooperation in the field of education.
A meeting was held at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium with members of the “Oguzrobot” team from Secondary School No. 97 in Ashgabat, who represented the country at the international FIRST Tech Challenge European Premier Event 2026 tournament in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. The team earned the right to compete in the European final following a successful performance at the regional stage in Astana. A total of 105 teams from 33 countries participated in the final competition, with “Oguzrobot” finishing among the top 20 teams. The team consisted of Durdane Kurbanova, Ogulay Kuliyeva, Oraznyyaz Rejepov, Nepesaly Tachmyradov, and Nuraly Kerimov. The team was led by mentor Gurban Seytguliyev. The tournament took place in Eindhoven from June 16 to 20 and was organized by the STEAMup Foundation. The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belgium, Sapar Palvanov, congratulated the students on their successful performance, emphasizing the importance of promoting robotics and innovative technologies among young people. Participants were also informed about the work of the diplomatic mission and its role in fostering international cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of education and scientific development in strengthening the country’s technological potential and enhancing its representation on the international stage. The meeting was held in a warm atmosphere and served as recognition of the team’s achievements at the international level.
Civil servants from Turkmenistan improved their professional qualifications at leading Italian universities as part of the Building Resilient Institutional Dialogue in Governance and Education (BRIDGE) project, which aims to strengthen institutional cooperation in the fields of governance and education. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. At the University of Bologna, participants studied issues related to sustainable agriculture, including climate risks, international environmental standards, monitoring of the agricultural sector, and the adaptation of legislation to modern requirements. Particular attention was given to assessing the effectiveness of implemented measures At the same time, training courses on transport, industrialization, and digitalization were held at Sapienza University of Rome. Experts addressed topics such as logistics, international project management, Eurasian connectivity, and the integration of digital technologies into public administration. During the training, information was presented on the implementation of Turkmenistan’s digital economy programs, including those planned for 2026–2028. Upon completion of the courses, participants received certificates, and the knowledge gained is expected to be incorporated into the educational programs of the Academy of Public Service under the President of Turkmenistan.