Promotion of Information and Communication Technology in Turkmenistan (PICTT)

Working with the National Academy of Science in Turkmenistan and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), PICTT program activities are held at the Internet Center for Interactive and Multimedia Learning (ICIML) in the Magtymguly Institute of Language and Literature. Educators and government representatives have access to the Internet, peer networking, training, pedagogical materials, and technical assistance.



The President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, called for educational reform, including the adoption of international standards in education, as a national priority. In response, PICTT has introduced educators to multimedia classrooms, assisted teachers in improving curricula that develops students’ ICT skills and provided e-library access to educational catalogs and other resources. The program has opened several new training centers around Turkmenistan through partner organizations that has enhanced Turkmen citizens’ ability to contribute to the economic and social development of the country. Active initiatives include:


Basic ICT skills training

Free consultation to any employees of higher education institutes or related activity on the use of computers, Internet, interactive multimedia boards, and other technology for academic and professional needs.
New Resource Access

PICTT guides participants on finding, using, and creating new Turkmen-language resources online.
Virtual Networking

Through invitations to online discussions, online forums, and a listserv, PICTT encourages colleagues to share best practices with one another.
Distance Learning

Through Turkmen-speaking specialists within Turkmenistan and Russian speakers throughout Eurasia, distance education is utilized for bringing new methodologies to Turkmen education.
E-platform

When higher education administration, educators, and researchers contribute to e-platform tools, teachers and students are able to find educational resources, an e-library, educational catalog, projects, and competitions in one organized space.
Lesson Components

PICTT stimulates teachers to test information technologies and multimedia methods by rewarding educators who share technology-enhanced lesson plan components corresponding to educational standards adopted in Turkmenistan.