Sustainable mechanisms of cooperation

In the context of the rapidly changing global geopolitics, Turkmenistan is consistently implementing a course aimed at activating foreign policy ties, based on the principles of permanent neutrality, peacefulness, and good neighborliness. The central task of the country's foreign policy is to build strong, mutually beneficial, and equal partnership relations with a wide range of states and international organizations, including the European Union.

Strengthening international ties allows for the creation of sustainable mechanisms for cooperation aimed at ensuring regional and global stability. The development of bilateral relations is based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, and consideration of the interests of the parties. In recent years, there has been an activation of Turkmen-European dialogue, facilitated by regular intergovernmental consultations, business forums, and joint economic and humanitarian projects.

An important aspect of the partnership is the development of humanitarian cooperation. Participation in educational programs, academic exchange, and the promotion of cultural ties contribute to strengthening mutual understanding between peoples.

In his speech on April 4, 2025, at the first Central Asia-European Union Summit held in Samarkand city, our esteemed President Arkadagly Hero Serdar expressed gratitude for the effectiveness of the educational projects and programs implemented by the EU in our region over the years.

As part of the Erasmus+ International Academic Mobility project, according to the Agreement signed between the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan and the Angel Kanchev University of Ruse in Bulgaria, which provides for cooperation in the field of science and education between the two universities, representatives of the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan made a working trip to the city of Ruse (Republic of Bulgaria) in the last decade of April. The purpose of the trip was to participate in activities outlined in the Erasmus+ program for 2021–2027, to develop academic cooperation, exchange experiences in education, participate in joint educational and scientific events, and strengthen partnership ties between educational institutions in the context of the internationalization of higher education.

One of the key events of the visit was the participation of the Turkmen delegation in the Third International Scientific and Practical Conference “Digital Transformation of Education – Problems and Solutions”, where current issues of implementing digital technologies in the educational process, as well as the challenges and prospects of digitalization in higher education, were discussed.

A day before the conference began, its participants took part in a round table meeting, where the prospects for international cooperation were discussed. Here, a meeting took place with the leadership of the Angel Kanchev University of Ruse, one of the largest universities in the country, where Vice-Rector Galina Ivanova expressed interest in strengthening long-term cooperation. She shared her university's experience in implementing the Erasmus+ program and proposed developing partnership relations in this direction, considering the prospects for expanding student and faculty exchanges within this European program – Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility (ICM).

The main discussions unfolded later at the forum itself, during which best practices and achievements in integrating sustainable development principles into the educational sphere were particularly considered. There was an exchange of professional experiences between representatives of universities and research centers.

In particular, reports from conference participants were heard. At the international scientific and practical conference dedicated to issues of sustainable development and digital transformations in education, the head of the Department of Languages at the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan, Akmyradov Gadam, delivered a keynote speech. The topic of his presentation, “The Importance of “Green” Education for a Sustainable Digital Future”, sparked lively interest among the participants. In his report, Gadam Akmyradov emphasized that “Green” education should become an integral part of all educational programs, including humanities, technical specialties, and engineering fields.

According to the speaker, the role of universities in this process is exceptionally important. It is higher education institutions, such as the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan, that are forming a new generation of specialists capable of harmoniously combining digital skills with a responsible attitude towards the environment. Special attention in the report was given to the integration of environmental themes into language teaching.

As part of the international forum, the director of the scientific and educational center “IT–Nurly Şohle” at the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan, Begmyradova Gowher, delivered a substantive presentation. The topic of her speech was “The Role of Modern Information Technologies in the Professional Training of Civil Servants”. In her speech, Gowher Begmyradova emphasized that in the context of the rapid development of digital technologies and the transition to electronic government management, traditional forms of personnel training require serious transformation. In her opinion, modern civil servants must not only possess basic digital skills but also be able to effectively use information systems in their work, make decisions based on analytical data, and ensure the cybersecurity of state resources.

Gowher Begmyradova also spoke about the activities of the center “IT–Nurly Şohle” which actively implements modern educational platforms and technologies into the learning process, conducts specialized training and seminars for government structures, and develops training modules using interactive and distance formats.

During the forum, there was a broad exchange of views, during which participants discussed best practices in the digital transformation of the public administration system, as well as approaches to forming a digital culture among employees of government institutions.

The trip was significant for strengthening international ties in the scientific and educational spheres. The parties discussed opportunities for expanding academic mobility, joint scientific research, experience exchange, and educational practices. Such interaction promotes the internationalization of higher education, opens new horizons for students and faculty, and lays a solid foundation for the implementation of future joint projects. The visit of representatives of the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan was another step towards integrating Turkmen education into the global academic space, reflecting a commitment to innovation, open dialogue, and mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of sustainable development of science and education.

State energy institute of Turkmenistan