To mark International Education Week, the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe hosted an education fair in November that was attended by dignitaries from the Ministry of Education and Science, as well as the United States Ambassador to Tajikistan.
A number of international and regional educational organisations delivered presentations to some 300 students and their parents, who were able to ask questions and gather information on educational programmes and opportunities.
“International education is an important means of establishing a cultural bridge between [our] two countries,” remarked US Ambassador to Tajikistan Elizabeth Millard.
“Over 4 000 Tajik citizens received their education in the United States,” she continued. “Now, these graduates are employed at different government departments and regions of the Republic [of Tajikistan].”
The Ministry of Education and Science were represented by Rahmatullo Mirboboev, Tajikistan’s First Deputy Minister of Education and Science, and Mirzoev Habibullo, Head of the Ministry’s International Department. The dignitaries were welcomed by Sharofat Mamadambarova, President of the Ismaili Council for Tajikistan.
First Deputy Minister Mirboboev said the Ministry of Education pays special attention to the progress of Tajiks who receive higher education abroad, cooperating closely with foreign countries and international organisations.
“Only in the 2016-17 academic years, over 4 900 students got enrolled in different universities in 32 countries,” he noted. Citizens who study abroad are able “to explore the culture of other countries and peoples” and return to Tajikistan as “highly qualified specialists.”
Among the educational organisations in attendance were American Councils for International Education, EducationUSA, Bactria Cultural Center, Erasmus+, University of Central Asia, Aga Khan Foundation, American Corner Dushanbe, MBO Professional, and Multikid Education Agency.
The programme also included a series of presentations and webinars by well-known universities from around the world, which were delivered over the course of the week at American Corner Dushanbe.
