India’s Osmania University explores education partnership with Turkmenistan

The visit underscored the commitment of both parties to fostering collaboration in academics, research, and cultural exchange.

During the meeting, OU Vice Chancellor Prof. Kumar Molugaram highlighted the shared vision of academic excellence and mutual cultural understanding.

The delegation, comprising Shamuhammet Muhammedov and Isgender Ataliyev, expressed their enthusiasm for strengthening ties with the university.

Commending OU's efforts in promoting global collaboration, the delegation emphasized opportunities for student and faculty exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and cultural partnerships. They also had an engaging interaction with Turkmen students currently studying at the university.

The meeting was attended by OSD to Vice Chancellor Prof. S. Jithender Kumar Naik, Registrar Prof. Gaddam Naresh Reddy, OIA Director Prof. B. Vijaya, and OIA Joint Director Prof. V. Srilatha, among others.

This visit is expected to pave the way for future partnerships, fostering academic and cultural synergies between India and Turkmenistan.

Osmania University is now emerging as a frontline International University. The University now hosts students from several foreign countries.

Over 400 foreign students, from some 27 countries, are currently on rolls studying in different colleges and university departments spread over various faculties.

The countries of their origin being Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Mauritius, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Yemen, Ethiopia, Oman, Uganda, Nepal, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Canada, USA, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Sri Lanka, Djibouti, UAE, Denmark, Europia, Trinidad (W.I) and UK.

Realising the importance of catering to the needs of foreign students the University, in December 1999, established a University Foreign Relations Office (UFRO). The UFRO assists in fostering relations between universities both Indian and foreign and helps in exchange programmes involving staff, scholars and students.

Osmania University has a strong track record of international collaboration with leading institutions worldwide. In an era of globalization, the university firmly believes that international cooperation is key to achieving excellence in higher education. To this end, OU is actively building more partnerships with universities across the globe.

The leaders from both countries in the past have harped on deepening cooperation in the education sector and developing direct contacts between leading higher educational institutions of Turkmenistan and India. India offers educational scholarships and capacity-building training to the citizens of Turkmenistan.

India is set to deepen its partnership with Turkmenistan in key sectors such as information technology, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare in 2025, Indian Ambassador to Ashgabat Madhumita Hazarika Bhagat announced at an event held at the Indian Embassy.

Highlighting India's leadership in the IT sector, Ambassador Bhagat emphasized that special focus would be placed on advancing cooperation in technology and digital infrastructure. Indian companies are also expected to contribute to the creation of a medical cluster in the city of Arkadag.

The Ambassador noted a significant boost in bilateral relations throughout 2024, marked by exchanges of journalist and youth delegations. A notable cultural milestone was India's participation in the 300th anniversary celebrations of Turkmen poet Magtymguly Fragi and the installation of a statue of Indian literary icon Rabindranath Tagore in Turkmenistan.

Currently, around 100 Indian citizens reside in Turkmenistan, primarily employed in the textile and oil and gas sectors. Educational collaboration continues to grow, with 20 young Turkmen professionals recently visiting India under the ITEC and ICCR programs.

This growing partnership signals a promising future for India-Turkmenistan ties, with both nations aiming to leverage their strengths for mutual development.

In 2022, India and Turkmenistan signed four key agreements, including collaborations in financial intelligence and disaster management, during former Indian President Ram Nath Kovind's historic visit to Turkmenistan. This marked the first-ever visit of an Indian President to independent Turkmenistan and followed closely after the inauguration of Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Former Indian President Ram Nath Kovind visited Turkmenistan in April 2022 and held negotiations with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Photo courtesy: BCA

During their meeting, Presidents Kovind and Berdimuhamedov engaged in comprehensive discussions on bilateral relations, regional cooperation, and global issues of mutual interest.

“We have agreed to intensify efforts to further strengthen our multifaceted partnership. Economic relations form a vital pillar of bilateral ties, and we are committed to expanding trade, which has remained modest. Our business communities must deepen their engagement, understand each other’s regulations, and identify new areas of trade and investment,” former President Kovind had stated in a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs.

The agreements signed during this visit laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in trade, energy, and strategic sectors, reinforcing the commitment of both nations to a stronger and more dynamic partnership.