On 30 January, an online meeting was held between the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (IIR MFA) of Turkmenistan and ADA University (Azerbaijan). This was reported by the Orient news agency. The parties emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation in science and education and discussed promising areas of interaction. Within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding, joint academic projects were considered: exchange of experience, organization of conferences, lectures and seminars, participation of teachers and students, as well as joint publications. The participation of Turkmen diplomats and students in the educational programs of ADA University was noted. The role of the joint Turkmen-Azerbaijani commission in the development of scientific and educational cooperation was emphasised. The possibility of holding joint events for World Turkic Language Family Day, declared by UNESCO on 15 December, and further prospects for joint work in the scientific and educational sphere were also discussed.
Advanced training courses for university administrators from Central Asian countries are continuing in Cambridge, with representatives from Turkmenistan's education system participating. The programme runs from 25 to 31 January, according to the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The Turkmen delegation includes representatives from Magtymguly Turkmen State University, the International University for the Humanities and Development, the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages, and the Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute. The programme includes training sessions, seminars, and experience-sharing sessions. Participants study modern models of leadership and strategic planning in the PRESETT system, as well as management practices in the field of teacher development and the continuing professional development (CPD) system. Special attention is paid to communicative and personality-oriented methods of teaching English. The introduction of digital platforms, interactive methods and artificial intelligence technologies into the educational process is also discussed. Participants analyse the structure and effectiveness of training programmes and observe training sessions to evaluate teaching methods and materials used. The courses discuss approaches to harmonising language programmes based on the CEFR and methods for assessing four key skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing. The organisers note that the programme is aimed at introducing international experience and developing cooperation in the field of education.
A Korean language teacher at the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages, A. Seyitberdiyeva, and students majoring in ‘Pedagogical Education’ are participating in a short-term programme called ‘Feel Korea! with KNU’. This information was reported by Turkmenportal. The programme is taking place in Seoul and Chuncheon and is organised by Kangwon National University. The trip lasts from 19 January to 2 February and is being held as part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages and Kangwon National University. Participants are taking practical classes in the Korean language. The main focus is on developing oral and written communication skills, as well as everyday communication. As part of the programme, the delegation also visited the national museums of Chuncheon and Seoul, where they learned about the cultural and historical heritage of the Republic of Korea.
On 27 January, the Mejlis of Turkmenistan held a ceremony to award certificates to deputies and parliamentary specialists who had completed advanced training courses in English. This was reported by the press service of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. The training was organised jointly by the US Embassy in Turkmenistan and the American company ‘QED Group LLC’. The course programme was aimed at developing the participants' language and communication skills, as well as expanding their opportunities in the field of international and inter-parliamentary cooperation. The ceremony was attended by Elizabeth Rood, US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkmenistan, who noted the relevance of learning English and the prospects for continuing similar educational projects.
On 26 January, a delegation led by Salem bin Nasser Al-Naemi, President of the University of Doha for Science and Technology (Qatar), visited the Institute of Telecommunications and Informatics of Turkmenistan as part of a working visit to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding on scientific and academic cooperation was signed between the Institute of Telecommunications and Informatics of Turkmenistan and Doha University of Science and Technology. The document aims to develop cooperation between universities in the field of science and education. On the same day, the Rector of the Qatari university gave a lecture to teachers and students, talked about the scientific and academic activities of the university and answered questions from the audience. The delegation also familiarised itself with the scientific projects and programme developments of the institute and visited the museum of the educational institution. On 27 January, the delegation from Doha University of Science and Technology visited the Oguz Han University of Engineering and Technology in Turkmenistan. The parties held consultations on cooperation in the field of science and education and discussed the training of specialists in accordance with international standards. The Qatari side expressed particular interest in cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence, e-sports, robotics and electronics. The prospects for signing a Memorandum of Understanding and a student exchange agreement were also discussed. During the visit, the Qatari delegation met with Turkmenistan's Minister of Education, J. Gurbangeldiyev. The parties discussed priority areas and plans for joint work, confirming their mutual interest in developing scientific and academic cooperation between Turkmenistan and Qatar.
From 25 to 31 January, representatives of the education sector in Turkmenistan are attending advanced training courses for heads of higher education institutions in Central Asia in Cambridge (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland). This was reported by the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The training is organised as part of the AELLCA Phase II project to improve the quality of English language teaching in Central Asia. The programme was developed for the management of higher education institutions in the participating countries in collaboration with the Cambridge University Press and Assessment Department and is based on the PRESETT (Pre-Service English Teacher Training) programme. On the first day of the visit, the opening ceremony of the training programme took place. This was followed by the first training module on leadership in implementing English language teaching reforms within the framework of PRESETT. Participants discussed issues related to planning educational changes and monitoring their implementation, and learned about Cambridge University's practices in modernising curricula and expanding the use of English. The main goal of the Turkmen delegation's participation is to develop management and leadership competencies within the PRESETT system. The programme also includes studying international experience in teacher training, modern approaches to curriculum development and assessment systems, and the use of digital technologies in education. The study visit to Cambridge continues.
The State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan invites students from around the world to participate in the 5th Open International Internet Olympiad in Theoretical Mechanics, which will be held from 24 to 28 March. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The competition is open to students of any course and specialisation and includes individual and team stages. Registration will last until 15 March: up to ten participants from each university are allowed in the individual competition, and one or two teams in the team competition. The Olympiad will be held in Turkmen, Russian and English. Individual participants will solve eight problems in statics, kinematics and dynamics in four hours, while teams will solve five problems in one hour. All tasks are available on the institute's digital platform with online assessment. Last year, the Olympiad brought together more than 700 students from 107 universities in 17 countries. The aim of the project is to identify talented young people, develop digital skills and strengthen international scientific cooperation. The event will be a notable intellectual platform in the spring and will highlight Turkmenistan's active participation in the global educational space.
On 26 January, Turkmenistan's Minister of Education Jumamyrat Gurbangeldiyev met with Luigi Ferrari, Italy's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the development of cooperation in the field of education and noted its importance for bilateral dialogue. It was emphasised that the Turkmen education system is being modernised and integrated into the international educational space as part of the country's long-term development programme. The expansion of Turkmenistan's participation in Italian and European educational projects, including exchanges, language courses, internships and ‘Erasmus+’ programmes, was noted. The parties confirmed the high level of cooperation, including Italian language teaching, joint educational initiatives and cultural projects, and expressed interest in further strengthening ties. The Turkmen side invited Italian students to participate in international mathematics competitions in the spring of 2026.
On 21 January, a ceremony was held in Doha to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Magtymguly Institute of Language, Literature and National Manuscripts of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and the National Library of the State of Qatar. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The document aims to develop scientific, educational and cultural cooperation, including the study and preservation of national heritage. The Memorandum provides for the exchange of manuscripts, joint scientific projects, cooperation in the field of digitisation and the exchange of specialists. The agreement is expected to promote Turkmen and Arab cultural heritage and strengthen friendly relations between the two states.
Novruzalem Gurdov, a young lecturer at the Department of Horse Breeding at the Aba Annayev International Academy of Horse Breeding and a member of the International Association of Ahal-Teke Horse Breeding, won the international competition ‘Best Teacher of the CIS – 2025’, which took place in Almaty (Republic of Kazakhstan). This was reported by the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Following the final online stage, which was held in early January, the professional activities and achievements of the Turkmen teacher were highly praised by the international jury. The victory allowed N. Gurdov to be named one of the best teachers in the CIS countries in 2025. He was awarded a first-degree diploma and a competition badge. Commenting on the result, Novruzalem Gurdov noted that participation in the international project was a serious responsibility for him and an opportunity to represent the young teaching community of Turkmenistan with dignity. According to him, this victory strengthened his desire for further professional growth. The competition was organised by the ‘Bilim’ Republican Educational Centre in conjunction with the ‘Dobro’ International Charitable Foundation and was aimed at identifying and supporting talented specialists in the field of education in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Dovletmyrat Berdiyev, a lecturer at the Oguz Han University of Engineering and Technology in Turkmenistan, took part in the international seminar ‘Rule of Law’, which was held in Tokyo from 14 to 19 January. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The event was organised by the Japanese government for the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus as part of the MIRAI programme. The seminar focused on the role of the rule of law, the modernisation of legal systems and the exchange of international experience. The programme included lectures, discussions and thematic sessions, including a special course at Keio University, where participants studied modern methods of developing legal culture. In addition to the educational part, participants visited the Keio University Museum, where they learned about the history of the Japanese education system and the scientific and cultural heritage of the university. The MIRAI programme opens up opportunities for professional growth, international cooperation and strengthening the rule of law in the countries of the region.
The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Turkmenistan has donated 190 copies of educational literature on Chinese language, history and culture to the International University for the Humanities and Development. This was reported by the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’, according to Turkmenportal. The collection includes textbooks, dictionaries and thematic publications for students of different levels of proficiency. Among the books donated are Xi Jinping's four-volume work ‘The Governance of China’ in Chinese and Russian, as well as works on the political system of modern China. These include ‘The Chinese System: Governing China in a New Era’ and ‘Witness to China's Reform and Opening Up: Series of 40 Celebrities.’ A significant part of the collection consists of ‘Modern Chinese’ sets for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels with exercises and audio materials. The library also received frequency dictionaries for all six levels of the HSK exam, the Xinhua Chinese Character Dictionary, and phraseological and thematic dictionaries. A separate section is dedicated to publications on Chinese culture, including poetry, geography, traditions, tea culture, and fiction.