Turkmenistan and Turkey Discuss Cooperation in the Field of Humanities

On October 17, 2024, the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan hosted a meeting with a Turkish delegation dedicated to discussing the prospects for educational cooperation between the two countries. The Turkmen delegation was represented by the Minister of Education, the Deputy Minister for Higher and Secondary Special Educational Institutions, and representatives from the international department of the ministry. The Turkish delegation was led by Musa Kazym Arıncan, Rector of Ankara University of Social Sciences (ASBU) and President of the Union of Writers of Turkey. The delegation also included Muhammet Enes Kala, Vice President of the Union of Writers of Turkey and Director of the University of Social Sciences of Ankara at Yıldırım Beyazıt University, and Serdar Çalımlı, Vice-Rector of Ankara University of Social Sciences.

The meeting began with welcoming remarks by the Minister of Education of Turkmenistan, Jumamyrat Gurbangeldiyev. In his address, the minister emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations in the field of education and highlighted that cooperation between Turkmenistan and Turkey is a key element in the strategy for modernizing the country's higher education system.

Following the minister's speech, Rector Professor Musa Kazym Arıncan gave a detailed presentation on the activities of Ankara University of Social Sciences. He emphasized that ASBU is Turkey’s first public university exclusively focused on social sciences. The university is actively engaged in international cooperation and applied research in fields such as political science, law, and theology. Professor Arıncan also pointed out that ASBU places a strong emphasis on digital technologies and offers educational programs designed to prepare specialists to address current global challenges. In concluding his remarks, he proposed developing cooperation with Turkmen universities through student and faculty exchange programs, joint research projects, and the establishment of dual-degree programs.

The Minister of Education of Turkmenistan then passed the floor to the Turkmen side, which proposed six key areas for collaboration:

- Organizing joint scientific research and conferences on social sciences, international relations, and philosophy.

- Developing academic exchange programs within the frameworks of Erasmus and Mevlana initiatives.

- Introducing interdisciplinary master's and doctoral programs aligned with international standards.

- Participating in international grant competitions aimed at addressing pressing social and humanitarian issues.

- Organizing summer and winter schools on topics such as cultural diplomacy.

- Developing online courses and educational programs utilizing modern technologies.

Professor Arıncan expressed his appreciation for the proposed areas of collaboration and stressed their relevance in the context of current educational trends. He affirmed ASBU’s readiness for close cooperation with Turkmen universities, including the International University for the Humanities and Development, the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan, and the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. To ensure the successful coordination of projects, it was proposed to organize inter-university webinars and seminars.

During the meeting, the Minister of Education of Turkmenistan proposed exploring the possibility of inviting Turkish professors to deliver lectures at relevant Turkmen institutions. Additionally, the minister suggested developing cooperation in the field of sociological parks that study the impact of technology and innovation on social processes. An important cultural initiative discussed during the meeting was the organization of events in 2025 dedicated to the United Nations resolution declaring 2025 the "International Year of Peace and Trust," which was adopted on the initiative of Turkmenistan, as well as the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality.

Rector Arıncan assured that ASBU is ready to provide comprehensive support in organizing the cultural and educational events planned for 2025.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish working groups for further discussions and the implementation of the proposed projects.

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