Successful steps of educational relations between Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran

During the Epoch of Revival of the New Era of the Powerful State, great progress is being made in the education system of the country as a result of the large-scale reforms of the President of Turkmenistan, who successfully continues the great initiatives of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero Arkadag. The continuous improvement of the national education system in Turkmenistan serves as a solid foundation for the future prosperity of the country. All conditions are created for the exchange of experience with scientific and educational centers and specialists of different countries of the world in the field of education.

Important work is being carried out between the educational institutions of the country and partner foreign countries within the framework of the agreements reached in the field of education and the signed documents. In this regard, the effective relations in the field of education with the Islamic Republic of Iran have a special place.

The legal basis of cooperation between the two friendly countries in the field of education was formed on the basis of the Memorandum between the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Education of the Islamic Republic of Iran, signed in Ashgabat on June 21, 1996. It is gratifying, that up to now, various types of Memorandums have been concluded between several higher education institutions, which help to increase the scope of relations.

"Memorandum of mutual understanding on cooperation in the field of education between S.A. Niyazov Turkmen Agricultural University and Gurgen Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University" and "Memorandum of cooperation between the State Medical University of Turkmenistan named after Myrat Garryev and Mashat University of Medical Sciences" were signed during the working visit of the Chairman of Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to the Islamic Republic of Iran on May 30, 2023.

Currently, talented Turkmen youth are educated in Persian language in four higher educational institutions of the country and six secondary schools in Ashgabat city and velayats, which proves the long-term nature of friendly relations between the two countries.

Talented schoolchildren and students of higher educational institutions of both countries participate in international conferences, exhibitions, and competitions on various subjects held in Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The International Mathematical Olympiad held among schoolchildren in Arkadag city between March 25-30, 2024 was another proof of the contribution of the state of Turkmenistan to the development of international relations in the field of education. School children from more than 10 countries of the world, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, participated in this competition and were able to win prizes.

Many cultural activities were organized jointly by the higher educational institutions of Turkmenistan and the Cultural Center of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Turkmenistan where ceremonies dedicated to the works of outstanding historical figures in literature of neighbouring Iran people and Turkmen nation such as Abu Ali Ibn Sina, Nizamy Genjevi, Saadi Shiraz, Abulkasym Ferdowsi were held during the last academic year.

Moreover, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Turkmenistan presented 20 books called "Turkmen-Persian Dialogue Dictionary" to the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages as a gift.

Recently, a joint Turkmen-Iranian specialized fashion and costume exhibition and skill classes were held in the exhibition building of the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan in order to increase the possibilities of cultural cooperation. 

In general, taking into account the above mentioned, we can say with pleasure that the two friendly peoples are moving forward together with successful steps in order to develop Turkmen-Iranian relations and effective cooperation.