After gaining independence, Turkmenistan has been taking targeted measures to improve the national education system, focusing on educating and training youth with a broad worldview, capable of managing innovative technologies. In line with the concepts of transitioning to twelve years of general secondary education, developing a digital education system, and enhancing the teaching of natural and exact sciences, corresponding work is being carried out, including aligning the education system with global standards.
The government provides direct support to youth education. Among the priority tasks are identifying, supporting, and encouraging talented young people, fostering civic, patriotic, and spiritual-moral values, and improving legal culture.
In accordance with national principles and established international practices, the content, educational structure, and scientific-methodological base of curricula, textbooks, and teaching aids are continuously being improved. Efforts are underway to supply educational institutions with textbooks and teaching materials, as well as to preserve and ensure their effective use. The radical reforms implemented in Turkmenistan's education system, combining national and positive international experience, are also contributing to significant improvements in the quality of education at all levels of educational institutions.
Today, special attention is being paid to the professional development of youth in the field of digital technologies and the quality of faculty training in universities. Educational institutions across the country are actively working in this area and achieving great success. The digitalization of education is being implemented in several directions: expanding access to education, ensuring personalized learning, developing digital skills, creating interactive formats and diverse teaching methods, analyzing and evaluating progress using artificial intelligence, creating innovative models of education, and effectively managing a future-oriented education system.
It is worth noting that important aspects in this regard include: the exchange of experience in the field of AI, the development of regulatory legal acts, improving methods of digital education, and enhancing monitoring techniques. A positive influence on the effectiveness of reforms is also seen in Turkmenistan’s consistent adoption of international standards in the education system and its development of humanitarian ties with the United Nations and its specialized bodies (UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, UNESCO). For example, recently, Turkmenistan's educators participated in a webinar on "Expanding Educators' Opportunities: Unleashing the Potential of Generative AI in Teaching and Learning," organized by the International Center for Innovation in Higher Education under UNESCO’s auspices. The webinar addressed the integration of AI into the learning process, new approaches to lesson planning and organization using AI, modern methods of knowledge assessment, personalized learning, and the creation of creative content.
Participants in the webinar received comprehensive answers to all their questions regarding the use of digital innovative technologies and artificial intelligence in education. A similar event was held at the Institute of Engineering, Technical, and Transport Communications of Turkmenistan, where methods of STEM education were studied. University educators were presented with methodological developments in this field through open lessons on nanotechnology, chemical technology, energy, biotechnology, agriculture, information and communication systems, computer technologies, and innovative economics.
The fact that Turkmenistan has significantly strengthened the development of its education sector in recent years has had a positive effect on the results of international university rankings. The successful reforms and improvements in education quality have been greatly facilitated by the adoption of the new version of the Law of Turkmenistan on "Education," with the main goal of stimulating the development of intellectual, creative, and professional qualities in individuals, as well as preparing highly qualified personnel.
One of the interim outcomes of the measures taken to improve the effectiveness of the education system is the recent publication of the global ranking THE Impact Rankings-2025, where 14 universities in Turkmenistan were recognized by independent international experts from the British organization "Times Higher Education (THE)." This ranking, established in 2019, is the leading global table for the effectiveness of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) formulated by the UN, aimed at enhancing the level of social and economic development. The Global Impact Ranking identifies and highlights universities that demonstrate outstanding performance in promoting global sustainable development. By excelling in various SDGs, universities show their commitment to addressing pressing global issues, including economic resilience, social inclusiveness, economic growth, and effective partnerships in achieving SDGs. It is particularly encouraging that the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages named after Dovletmammet Azadi is among the universities recognized by international experts.
As Turkmenistan’s higher education institutions increasingly gain recognition worldwide, they are securing higher positions in the THE Impact Rankings and other prestigious global rankings. This is clear evidence of the effectiveness of the country’s large-scale efforts to implement the UN’s SDGs and its overall achievements in the field of science and education. The accomplishments of domestic universities on the international stage demonstrate the quality and level of their development and contribute to solving national tasks aimed at bringing the national education system in line with global standards and joining Turkmen universities among the leading higher education institutions worldwide.
