On March 3, Volgograd State Socio-Pedagogical University with the assistance of the Consulate of Turkmenistan in the Russian Federation (Astrakhan) set up a football team called ‘Mekan’ and a folk group called ‘Bitaraplyk’ composed of Turkmen students who are studying at higher education institutions in the region. A friendly match between Mekan and the University’s football team, and a performance by the Bitaraplyk Folk Group took place to mark the occasion.

The Consulate of Turkmenistan also presented lectures entitled ‘Turkmenistan: A Land of Neutrality’ at Volgograd State Socio-Pedagogical University and Volgograd State Technical University.

Rectors of the Universities Alexander Korotkov and Alexander Navrotsky highlighted the importance of such events in the context of stepping up the Turkmen-Russian humanitarian dialogue.

The Russian side sent a message to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov thanking him for the constant support given to Turkmen students studying in the Russian Federation.

In his message, the Rector of State Socio-Pedagogical University, Chair of the Volgograd Region Board of Rectors Alexander Korotkov noted that these initiatives would contribute to strengthening Turkmen-Russian humanitarian cooperation, having expressed his willingness to continue training highly-qualified young Turkmen specialists as well as to foster closer partnership with higher education institutions of Turkmenistan.