
On February 16, Persian language and literature professional development courses began for teachers and students of 5 higher education institutions in Turkmenistan: Magtymguly Turkmen State University, the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan, the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages, and Seyitnazar Seydi Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute, with the participation of Iranian instructors Dr. Shahnaz Ahmadi Gader and Dr. Tahmineh Sheikhi.
The opening of these courses was attended by Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Turkmenistan; Orazgeldi Ovezsahedov, the Rector of Magtymguly Turkmen State University; Abdolreza Abbasi, the Cultural Counselor of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Turkmenistan; Iranian professors, and the participants of the training sessions.
Orazgeldi Ovezsahedov, the Rector of Magtymguly Turkmen State University, expressed his delight at the conduct of Persian language and literature lessons with the participation of Iranian professors. He thanked the Embassy and the Cultural Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Turkmenistan for their assistance in organizing and conducting the courses, stating that these lessons are the result of last month’s meeting between the Honorable Iranian Ambassador, the Cultural Counselor, and Turkmen universities. He also requested the Iranian professors to evaluate the participants' level of engagement, their efforts in learning the Persian language, and their mastery of the provided educational program, and to conduct a final exam.
Abdolreza Abbasi, the Cultural Counselor of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Turkmenistan, expressed his gratitude to the Saadi Foundation and the leaders of both countries for their agreement and support in conducting training for the teachers and students of the 5 universities. Introducing the Iranian professors, he stated that the presence of these skilled and experienced professors would be a major step in increasing the knowledge level of teachers, students, and Persian language learners, and would significantly impact the cultural and scientific relations between Iran and Turkmenistan. He added that they are ready to conduct such courses on a long-term basis in cooperation with the Saadi Foundation and Turkmen universities, as well as to organize professional development programs in Persian language and literature for Turkmen professors and students both in Iran and Turkmenistan.
Iranian professors Dr. Shahnaz Ahmadi Gader and Dr. Tahmineh Sheikhi, in their brief speeches, thanked the Embassy's Cultural Center and the universities, and discussed the detailed plan for the course. They mentioned that during these ten days, efforts would be made to improve the participants' knowledge and speaking abilities, and to refine the teaching of the Persian language by introducing new educational methods to the teachers.
Afterward, the attendees visited the two classrooms and the lounge area designated for the courses and became closely acquainted with the facilities provided in these rooms.
It should be noted that the teachers and students participating in the Persian language and literature professional development courses will take an exam on the final day regarding the lessons covered. All participants will be awarded certificates by the Cultural Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran indicating their level of knowledge. The courses will continue from February 16 to 26, 2026.
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