A delegation of Turkmenistan visited the University of Wyoming (UW) and held a series of meetings according to the approved program: a welcome session and talks with the university leadership, thematic track discussions, a presentation for the campus community, and a final coordination meeting with UW’s international team.

In the first half of the day, Deputy Minister of Education Azat Atayev met with the university leadership. The parties discussed priority areas of cooperation and practical implementation formats: formalizing agreements as Memoranda of Understanding, launching joint academic modules and exchanges, and using the university’s digital learning environment (WyoCourses/Canvas) for co-teaching and sharing materials.

Next, a meeting was held at the College of Business. The delegation was shown applied learning facilities: a trading lab with market analytics stations and a student-managed fund model (practicing strategies on real data with real financial accountability for instructional purposes), as well as courses and projects in business analytics, behavioral accounting, and blockchain technologies. The sides discussed joint short-term training for faculty, co-development of project assignments for students, and thematic mini-modules on digital assets and fintech, with subsequent integration of outcomes into syllabi.

A session on education followed. The cooperation tracks identified include: language training (academic English), inclusive education, modern approaches to early-childhood and primary pedagogy, joint “class-to-class” online sessions, guest lectures, and summer schools. The parties agreed to develop harmonized syllabi, exchange teaching materials, and configure UW’s digital environment for co-teaching and learning progress monitoring.

Thereafter, parallel negotiations were held with specialized units: with the Turkmen State Financial Institute in the College of Business board room, and with the Turkmen State Institute of World Languages named after Dovletmammed Azadi at the Cheney International Center. The wrap-up meeting with the UW Global team focused on agreeing next steps, designating contact persons, and outlining the “roadmap” framework.

By the end of the day, the parties signed Memoranda of Understanding between the Turkmen State Institute of World Languages named after D. Azadi and the University of Wyoming, and between the Turkmen State Financial Institute and the University of Wyoming. These documents establish the legal basis for cooperation and build on the provisions of the 2023 Intergovernmental Memorandum on Cooperation in Education. Practical implementation mechanisms were agreed: coordination points were designated, joint working groups and specialized subgroups are being formed, “course shells” for co-teaching are being prepared in WyoCourses/Canvas, rules for academic credit of joint modules are being aligned, and baseline monitoring parameters set (participation, completion, competency attainment, joint proposals and publications).

Next steps. In the upcoming academic term, the first pilots are planned: short modules in business analytics/financial literacy and blockchain cases; COIL-based classes in language training and inclusive pedagogy; and the development of roadmaps for faculty exchanges and summer schools. Both sides confirmed their focus on practical outcomes and regular progress reviews to scale successful solutions.

The visit confirmed that the partnership between Turkmen universities and UW rests on mutual trust, shared goals, and a commitment to advancing cooperation in the interests of both countries.