MINSK (BelTA) – Belarus and Turkmenistan will exchange delegations of top officials and specialists of the education ministries, scientists and teachers, hoping to promote the educational systems of the two countries. The agreement also provides for student exchange program.

Over the past five years the number of Turkmen students studying in Belarus has soared from 100 to almost 6,000. They choose mostly well-paid disciplines, like petrochemical engineering and mining.

The ratification of the agreement would also facilitate the adaptation process of Turkmen students, facing certain social and cultural difficulties.

Since 1991, the number of higher education institutions in Turkmenistan has sharply increased (by six units). After independence, the country had to face the necessity to train personnel for a number of significant branches of the economy. From 1993-1995, the training of military and of specialists for the energy, transport and communication sectors was undertaken; the same applies to different specializations in the cultural sphere.

Higher education institutions mainly offer programmes developed during the Soviet period with some additions and amendments being stipulated by specific local character and transition period peculiarities.