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A Strategy for the Development of Higher Education is being implemented in Turkmenistan
26.08.2026The Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan and higher education institutions have begun implementing the Strategy for the Development of Higher Professional Education in Turkmenistan for 2026–2052. The document was approved by a Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan dated 17 October 2025, together with the Action Plan for 2026–2030, reports the news agency TDH. The strategy aims to improve the quality of higher education, train specialists in high demand, develop science and innovation, promote digitalisation and expand international cooperation. As part of its implementation, the regulatory framework is being improved and mechanisms are being established to analyse labour market needs. A methodology for surveying employers and a digital platform for analysing the knowledge and skills required of graduates have been developed. The university ranking system has also been updated, with the results published on the rating.bilim.tm portal. To identify promising areas for specialist training, the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan has published the ‘Geljegiň hünärleriniň atlasy’ (‘Atlas of Future Professions’). Scientific research and innovation are being actively developed at higher education institutions. Since the start of the year, 11 hackathons and three start-up competitions have been held, and 320 national certificates (patents) have been granted. International cooperation is expanding. Since the start of the year, higher education institutions have organised 23 international events, including 10 academic competitions and 13 scientific and practical conferences. International accreditation of educational programmes, academic exchanges and the professional development of teaching staff also remain priorities. The strategy provides for the development of inclusive education, the use of digital resources and distance learning. Facilities for people with disabilities are being created in new teaching buildings. The development of public-private partnerships has become an important focus. The International University of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the country’s first non-state higher education institution, trains specialists in the fields of business, industry, digital technologies and innovation. At the same time, mechanisms for assessing the quality of education are being improved, and programmes are being developed to promote a healthy lifestyle, foster patriotism and support the cultural development of young people.
Turkmen chess player wins festival in Abu Dhabi
26.08.2026Turkmen chess player Allayar Shirliyev took first place in the Open A category at the 32nd International Chess Festival in Abu Dhabi, held from 15 to 24 August. The 22-year-old Master Candidate from Ashgabat scored 8 points out of a possible 9, according to the news agency Orient. A. Shirliyev started as the seventh seed with a FIDE rating of 2184. By the end of the tournament, he had finished ahead of, amongst others, International Masters Bashir Eiti from Syria and Richilieu III Salcedo from the Philippines. His international rating rose by 40.6 points. The festival was organised by the Abu Dhabi Chess Club. Meanwhile, international grandmasters Daniil Dubov, David Paravyan and Pa Iniyan competed in the Masters tournament. Shirliyev’s success was the latest achievement by Turkmen chess players in August. Earlier, Lala Shohradova won the rapid event and took silver in the blitz at the Asian Junior Chess Championship in Mumbai. The Turkmenistan national team also won 16 medals at the Central and North Asian Chess Championship in Kyrgyzstan.
Turkmenistan has presented the agenda for the forthcoming session of the Halk Maslahaty
26.08.2026On 25 August, a meeting of the Council of Permanent Representatives of the CIS Member States was held in Minsk, attended by the Commonwealth’s Secretary-General, Sergey Lebedev. This was reported by the news agency Orient. At the suggestion of the Embassy of Turkmenistan, the participants discussed key events on Ashgabat’s domestic political calendar. Turkmenistan’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Nazarguly Shagulyev, spoke about preparations for the 35th anniversary of the country’s independence and the forthcoming meeting of the Halk Maslahaty on 23 September. The diplomats also drew up the agenda for the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS, which is to be held in Moscow in December. This will include issues relating to cooperation in industry, innovation, fundamental science, the environment and the humanitarian sphere, including tourism and the ‘Sodruzhestvo’ film festival. Separate discussions were held on the development of the CIS’s external relations within the framework of Observer and Partner statuses, as well as the further promotion of the ‘CIS Plus’ format.
Turkmen judokas are set to compete in the Grand Slam tournament
26.08.2026The Turkmenistan national judo team will compete at the Grand Slam tournament in Lausanne, which will take place from 28 to 30 August. Ten athletes — eight men and two women — will represent the country, according to IIC. In the under-57 kg weight category, Maysa Pardayeva and Medine Orazniyazova will compete. In the men’s events, Turkmenistan will be represented by Ural Bakhtiyarov and Igtiyar Gurbanberdiyev (under 60 kg), Serdar Rahimov (under 66 kg), Meylis Shamyradov and Allamyrat Annagurbanov (up to 73 kg), Agajan Ayhanov and Batyr Merdanov (up to 81 kg), and Baymyrat Majanov (up to 100 kg). The tournament will form part of the national team’s preparations for the season’s major international competitions.
Turkmenistan is developing its oil and gas potential
26.08.2026The oil and gas industry remains one of the key sectors of Turkmenistan’s economy. The country is developing hydrocarbon production and refining, modernising its infrastructure and developing the ‘Galkynyş’ field and areas of the Turkmen shelf in the Caspian Sea, according to the online news site AsmanNews. Turkmenistan is expanding its energy export markets. Key projects include the ‘Turkmenistan–China’ gas pipeline and the TAPI (Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India) pipeline, which is designed to supply gas to South Asian markets. At the same time, the deep processing of hydrocarbons is being developed. The country operates a plant producing petrol from gas, a polymer plant in Gyyanly and a urea complex in Garabogaz. The Turkmenbashi Oil Refinery Complex produces aviation kerosene, diesel fuel and petrol for domestic and international markets. Specialists from the ‘Türkmengeologiýa’ State Concern are continuing geological exploration work. The drilling of an ultra-deep well, over 7,150 metres deep, in the Uzynada area has confirmed the presence of oil reserves in deep formations. Digital technologies and environmental solutions are also being introduced in the oil and gas sector. Particular attention is being paid to reducing methane emissions, improving environmental safety and developing ‘green’ technologies.
Turkmen wrestler wins bronze at the World Championships
26.08.2026Turkmen freestyle wrestler Alp Arslan Begenjov won a bronze medal at the U20 World Junior Championships in Bratislava (Slovakia). A third-year student at the Turkmen State Institute of Finance competed in the 86 kg weight category, in which 25 athletes vied for medals, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Begenjov contested five bouts and secured four victories. In his first three bouts, he defeated Bolati Na Ertai of China 10–0, Yahia Eliwa of Egypt 16–5 and Mahammad Abaszada of Azerbaijan 14–1. In the semi-final, the Turkmen athlete lost to Russia’s Ahmad Mukutov 4–8. In the bronze medal match, Begenjov defeated Turkey’s Sefa Cesur 9–2. The world champion was the American Aeoden Sinclair, who defeated Ahmad Mukutov 8–4 in the final. The second bronze medal in the under-86kg category was won by the Japanese athlete Natsura Okazawa. After the medal ceremony, Begenjov thanked the fans for their support.
A ‘Central Asia–China’ cooperation centre was unveiled in Ashgabat
26.08.2026A presentation on the ‘Central Asia–China’ Centre for Educational Exchange and Cooperation took place at the Magtymguly Turkmen State University. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The event took place as part of a visit to Turkmenistan by a delegation from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, led by Erkin Tuniyaz, Chairman of the regional People’s Government and Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee. The presentation was attended by the leadership of Turkmen State University, rectors and vice-rectors of Turkmenistan’s leading universities, representatives of educational and medical institutions in Xinjiang, and the Chinese Ambassador to Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the development of cooperation in the fields of science and education, including the teaching of Chinese at Turkmen universities, the expansion of academic exchanges and the organisation of joint internships. The guests also viewed an exhibition of decorative and applied arts, a display of the new centre, and museum exhibits at Turkmen State University. The event concluded with the Chinese delegation presenting educational and scientific literature to Turkmen universities.
Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties
26.08.2026On 25 August, a telephone conversation took place between the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This was reported by AsmanNews. The parties noted the high level of Turkmen-Kazakh relations and congratulated one another on important events. Hero Arkadag congratulated Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the first elections to the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noting their significance for the country and the reforms being carried out. The President of Kazakhstan thanked the National Leader of the Turkmen people for his congratulations and spoke highly of Turkmenistan’s support. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a special mention of the work carried out by the Turkmen observers during the elections. During the conversation, the parties discussed the development of bilateral cooperation in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres. The importance of regular dialogue at the highest level and the work of the inter-governmental commission and relevant working groups was emphasised. Particular attention was paid to cooperation on international and regional platforms. Hero Arkadag thanked Kazakhstan for its support for Turkmenistan’s neutral foreign policy and the country’s initiatives within the United Nations. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted the dynamic development of strategic cooperation. The President of Kazakhstan emphasised the significance of the state visit by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, to Kazakhstan last November and the meeting with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat in December. The parties also discussed the upcoming international events in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone on 7–9 October. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev confirmed his participation in the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS, and the Caspian Environmental Summit. The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan also emphasised that he looks forward to the participation of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in the Aqaba Process meeting on ‘Security in the Sphere of Artificial Intelligence’, which will take place in early November in Astana. At the conclusion of the conversation, the parties expressed their readiness to further strengthen the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries and wished the peoples of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan peace, well-being and prosperity.
The President of Turkmenistan has sent a message of congratulations to the President of Serbia
26.08.2026The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has congratulated the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and the people of Serbia on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Serbia. This was reported by the TDH news agency. The Head of State highlighted the development of bilateral ties based on mutual respect and equality. The President of Turkmenistan emphasised Turkmenistan’s interest in further expanding cooperation and expressed his confidence that it would develop in the interests of both nations. Serdar Berdimuhamedov wished Aleksandar Vučić good health, happiness and well-being, and the people of Serbia peace, progress and prosperity.
Turkmenistan and Pakistan discussed the development of cooperation in the tourism sector
26.08.2026On 20 August, A. Movlamov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, met with Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Adviser and National Coordinator for Tourism to the Prime Minister of Pakistan and Chief Executive Officer of The Centaurus Group. The meeting took place at Centaurus’s head office, according to the press office of the Turkmen diplomatic mission. The parties discussed the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism, as well as cultural and humanitarian ties. The Turkmen side provided information on events being held as part of the year dedicated to national horse breeding and Ahal-Teke horses. It was noted that the world’s first Ahal-Teke Horse Championship will take place in the Netherlands from 4 to 6 September. The Pakistani side expressed interest in developing cooperation between the relevant institutions of the two countries in the field of equestrian sport, including joint events, the exchange of experience and the expansion of professional contacts. Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their readiness to implement joint initiatives in the sporting, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
Students and graduates from Turkmenistan can undertake an internship at NVIDIA
26.08.2026NVIDIA has opened applications for its Early Talent early-career development programmes for undergraduates, postgraduates and recent university graduates, including those from Turkmenistan. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The programmes cover artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, software and hardware engineering, computer graphics and high-performance computing. Participants can apply for internships for undergraduate and postgraduate students, the 12-week Ignite summer programme for first-year students, programmes for PhD holders and New College Graduate roles for early-career professionals. Internships run throughout the year and last for at least 12 weeks. Recruitment takes place as vacancies arise, so candidates are advised to monitor opportunities on NVIDIA’s official careers portal. To apply, candidates must submit a CV in English detailing their technical experience, programming skills, academic projects and links to their portfolio.
The Turkmenistan National Youth Team is preparing for the U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers
26.08.2026The Turkmenistan U-20 national team, led by head coach Didar Hajiyev, is holding a training camp in Thailand as part of its preparations for the qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup. The qualifiers will begin on 31 August and will feature 31 national teams divided into eight groups, according to IIC of Turkmenistan. Places in the final stage of the tournament, which will take place in Hangzhou, China, from 24 March to 10 April 2027, will be secured by the group winners and the seven best runners-up. The Turkmenistan national team will play in Group F, with matches to be hosted by the city of Chonburi. In the group stage, the team will face their counterparts from Iraq (31 August), Thailand (3 September) and the UAE (6 September). The final stage of the national team’s preparations was their participation in the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA-2026) tournament in Tajikistan in May, where the Turkmen players finished fourth.
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