Turkmenistan

Delegation from Turkmenistan on visit to Stavanger 14-19 February 2010

Torstein Opheim, member of the Storting, briefed the delegates on the Norwegian political system and also commented on education matters.

Host to delegation of educationists from Ashkabad, Turkmenistan

In week 9, 2010, RKK had the pleasure of hosting a visit from a delegation of educationists from Ashkabad, Turkmenistan. This was a return visit following on from two previous visits by RKK to Ashkabad in the company of the Norwegian Ambassador to Turkmenistan, on the initiative of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The purpose of the visit was to brief the delegates on vocational education in Norway, with particular emphasis on energy and health care. Further cooperation along the lines of the model used for RKK’s work in Kazakhstan was also discussed.

The delegates were:

• Allamurat Jorayev, Head of Vet Department of the Ministry of Education
• Nursakhat Bairamov, Head of International Department of the Ministry of Education
• Tirkismurat Gulamov, Chief Expert License and Best Practices Department of the Ministry of Education
• Hudayberdi Sariyev, Principal VET School
• Gulgeldi Gulgeldiyev, Member of Parliament of Turkmenistan and Principal Vet School
• Gurbandudry Jelilov, Head of the Department of Education and Science of the Ministry of Health of Turkmenistan
• Techmurat Altiyev, Expert "Turkmenkhimiya" National Group of Companies

The delegates followed a comprehensive programme, starting with an introduction to the Norwegian education system, with particular emphasis on vocational education.

Tom Tvedt, Chairman of Rogaland County Council, received the guests in his office and welcomed them to Rogaland. He also gave them a briefing on the business and development structure in the region.

At the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, Øystein Kristiansen and Gudmund Rydning explained what the NPD’s areas of responsibility were and how the oil and gas industry in Norway is organized and managed.

The representative of the Education Office under the Chairman of the County Council talked to the delegates about Norwegian education policy and the education system, with special emphasis on vocational education (photo below).

At Jåtta Upper Secondary School the delegates were given an introduction to the organization and management of the upper secondary school system and how it works.

At SOTS (Stavanger Offshore Technical College) the delegates were given an interesting insight into education for the petroleum industry and education/training in HES (health, safety and environment) matters.

Statoil was also host for part of the programme. In addition to a briefing on Statoil´s overall activities, particular attention was given to Statoil´s engagement in Eurasia and not least the company’s focus on education and the development of local content (local workforce) in the countries where the company is active (see photo below).

The programme concluded with a working seminar at Rygjabø Upper Secondary School. The visit to Finnøy began with a presentation of the school and a guided tour. Ole Bjørnøy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took part in the closing seminar, which concluded with agreement on a strategy and plan for further collaboration on vocational education between Norway and Turkmenistan. The parties will now work on developing a concrete project proposal, to be submitted soon.

Major international conference in Ashgabad, 9-11 September 2009

The Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, the Academy of Science of Turkmenistan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan were the organizers of this conference, entitled: "Science and Education of the New Revival Epoch in the Global Science and Education System".

The conference was officially opened in the Exhibition Palace, simultaneously with the accompanying exhibition "Science and education in the new revival epoch", in a magnificent opening ceremony with traditional Turkmenisk music and folk-dancing. The delegates received words of greeting from President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

The conference took the form of plenary gatherings and a range of workshops on different topics:

• Section I - National Education System, International Cooperation in Education and Science
• Section II - Information-Communication Technologies in the Education System and Enhancement of Professional Training
• Section III - Technical Sciences, New Technologies, Application and Management
• Section IV - Languages as a tool of globalisation, Research in education, history, language and literature
• Section V - Agricultural Science
• Section VI - Environmental Protection, Biology, Chemistry and Medical Science

RKK gave 2 presentations under section II:

• Øystein Førsvoll - The Norwegian Model - Health, Safety and Environment (see the programme and this talk here)
• Ole Imsland - Qualification of work force, a key to success in development of the industry (see the programme and this talk here)

This section of the programme took place in the Magtymguly Turkmen State University. Speakers came from UNESCO, Germany, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Russia, EU (European Training Foundation), Ukraine, Switzerland, Romania, UK, Georgia, Poland, Uzbekistan, Austria, Albania, USA and Norway.

Managing Director Ole Imsland, with Øystein Førsvoll and Kjell Håvard Sævareid from RKK were interviewed on national TV in connection with the conference. The visit from RKK was also reported in the newspaper Mugallymlar Gazeti - see the newspaper article here.

Meeting with Turkmenistan’s Vice-Minister of Education

The Norwegian delegation from RKK, which included Kjell Håvard Sævereid as well as Førsvoll and Imsland, had a meeting in September 2009 with Turkmenistan’s Vice-Minister of Education and the vocational education department. At this meeting the discussion concerned future collaboration on vocational education, based on support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UD). The areas of most relevant interest would seem to be oil and gas, building and construction and health care. A potential return visit to Norway in December will clarify the project contents in greater detail.

This section of the programme took place in the Magtymguly Turkmen State University. Speakers came from UNESCO, Germany, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Russia, EU (European Training Foundation), Ukraine, Switzerland, Romania, UK, Georgia, Poland, Uzbekistan, Austria, Albania, USA and Norway.
Managing Director Ole Imsland, with Øystein Førsvoll and Kjell Håvard Sævareid from RKK were interviewed on national TV in connection with the conference. The visit from RKK was also reported in the newspaper Mugallymlar Gazeti - see the newspaper article here.

From the left: Allumurat Jorayew - Director Vocational Education & Training, Nurysahet Bayramow - Director International Relations, Kjell Håvard Sævareid (RKK), Geldimurat Durdyyew - Vice Minister, Ole Imsland (RKK), Øystein Førsvoll (RKK) and Gulshan Aliyeva - our Kazakh interpreter

Turkmenistan Vocational Education and Training Study

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has granted RKK funding to carry out a study in Turkmenistan.The aim of the project is to assess the possibilities for longterm collaboration in the field of vocational education and training. RKK's experience from its work with Kazakhstan may possibly serve as a model for the proposed collaboration. A delegation from RKK visited Ashkabad earlier this year and held discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, as well as visiting universities, vocational schools and primary/lower secondary schools.

Representatitves from RKK will give presentations at an educational conference in Ashkabad in September 2009, and a delegation from Turkmenistan will visit Norway later this autumn.

Following an initiative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the agency of Ambassador Mette Kongshem, a delegation from RKK visited the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabad, in February 2009.

The purpose of the visit was to offer the Turkmenistani authorities assistance in connection with the reform of vocational education in the country. The RKK delegation, which was headed by Ambassador Kongshem, consisted of Ole Imsland, Øystein Førsvoll, Kjell Håvard Sævareid and interpreter Gulshan Alieva.

Following an initiative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the agency of Ambassador Mette Kongshem, a delegation from RKK visited the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabad, in February 2009.The purpose of the visit was to offer the Turkmenistani authorities assistance in connection with the reform of vocational education in the country. The RKK delegation, which was headed by Ambassador Kongshem, consisted of Ole Imsland, Øystein Førsvoll, Kjell Håvard Sævareid and interpreter Gulshan Alieva.

In a short period of time, Turkmenistan has made great strides in the development of infrastructure. In the education sector too substantial development has taken place in basic and higher education, particularly in the Ashgabad region. In the field of vocational education, infrastructure and content still present major challenges.

In February 2009 a meeting was held with Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Hydyr Saparalyev , at which he informed delegates about the strategic development currently taking place at all levels of education in the country. Saparalyev proposed the establishment of a working group from both the Turkmenistani and Norwegian side, with joint responsibility for preparing a project proposal for RKK assistance in vocational education.The primary focus will be on structure, organization and content. The parties will make a particular study of areas dealing with oil and gas production, industrial and construction subjects and health and care worker subjects. The deadline for conclusion of this pre-project is the first half of 2009.

The delegation also had two meetings with the Minister of Education, Muhammetgeldi Annanmanov and the Director of Vocational Education in the Ministry, Allamurat Djarayev. At both these meetings, discussion centered on structure and focal areas, together with follow-up plans. A further meeting took place, with Deputy Minister Muhammedgeldy Atayev of the Ministry of Economic Development.

The delegates also visited Magtymguly Turkmen State University, Ruhnama primary and lower secondary school and three vocational schools: Vocational School no 3 under the Ministry of Construction, Vocational School no 5 under the Ministry of Communications and Vocational School no 4 under Hakimlik of Ashgabad. There was also time for talks with officials from various public bodies and educational institutions. The visit attracted the attention of both press and TV.

From the left: Regional officer Kjell Håvard Sævareid, Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Hydyr Saparalyev, Ambassador Mette Kongshem, Managing Director Ole Imsland.

The visit drew attention from the newspaper Mugallymlar Gazeti (Teacher´s Newspaper) - please read the article here.

Information about Turkmenistan

• Turkmenistan on Wikipedia
• CIA – World Factbook - Turkmenistan
• Turkmenistan - Lonely Planet