Representatives of Turkmenistan Participate in an International Higher Education Programme in Ankara

From 7 to 11 September 2026, Ankara is hosting the Certificate Programme “Partnership in Higher Education of the Turkic World”, aimed at promoting cooperation and the exchange of experience among representatives of educational and academic institutions of the Turkic world.

The programme brings together representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Hungary.

Turkmenistan is represented by officials and specialists from the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, Magtymguly Turkmen State University, Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages, the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, and the International University for the Humanities and Development.

The official opening ceremony of the programme was held on 7 September. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Abdulhadi Turus, President of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities of the Republic of Türkiye (YTB); Osman Mesten, Member of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye; Professor Muzaffer Şeker, President of the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA); and Professor Şefika Şule Erçetin, Academic Coordinator of the ORTAK Programme.

Ambassadors of the participating countries accredited in Ankara also attended the opening ceremony, underscoring the importance attached to the further development of educational and humanitarian cooperation among the participating states.

During the opening ceremony, participants were introduced to the key areas of YTB’s activities, the objectives and main tasks of the certificate programme, as well as opportunities for further expanding international cooperation in higher education.

Particular attention was devoted to YTB’s joint scholarship programmes, academic exchanges and prospects for strengthening cooperation among higher education institutions.

The first day continued with the module entitled “Higher Education Policies and Strategies in Türkiye and the World”. Participants considered the contemporary higher education ecosystem and key policy priorities in Türkiye, global trends in the development of higher education, as well as issues related to cultural influence, international image-building and the role of universities in strengthening humanitarian ties.

Thematic lectures were delivered by Professor Şefika Şule Erçetin and Professor Zakir Avşar.

The consistent development of international cooperation in education is one of the important areas of the state policy of Turkmenistan. Particular attention is paid to introducing advanced international experience, expanding the international partnerships of national higher education institutions, training highly qualified specialists and strengthening scientific and educational ties with foreign partners.

The participation of representatives of Turkmenistan in this international programme contributes to the further expansion of professional contacts, the study of modern approaches to the development of higher education and the exchange of experience with representatives of foreign educational and academic institutions.

Such events create additional opportunities for strengthening cooperation among higher education institutions of the participating countries, implementing joint educational initiatives, promoting academic mobility and further expanding humanitarian dialogue.

Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan