From May 17 to 21, a delegation from the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, headed by Deputy Minister Azat Atayev, is on a working visit to London to participate in the Education World Forum 2026.
The forum is one of the leading international platforms for discussing educational policy, digital transformation, human capital development, and the introduction of innovations into education systems.
The first events of the forum took place at the Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge Hotel, where ministerial initiatives and expert discussions were held. During a high-level session, the Turkmen delegation provided information about the work being carried out in the country to integrate principles of climate resilience and environmental education into the national education system.
Later, at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, members of the delegation took part in a specialized seminar devoted to issues of scalable digital transformation, educational leadership development, training of teaching and IT personnel, and the creation of a sustainable digital learning environment.
During the forum events, the Turkmen side presented results demonstrating growth in the quality of education and scientific activity, including the introduction of a university management KPI system comprising more than 80 indicators; increased publication activity of universities; higher citation rates for scientific works; development of research commercialization centers; and expansion of digital platforms that enable data-driven management decisions. The delegation also presented the Strategy for the Development of Higher Education in Turkmenistan for 2026–2052 and the Atlas of Future Professions.
A number of productive bilateral meetings were also held within the framework of the forum. During talks with representatives of Classera, discussions focused on the company’s educational portfolio, AI-based digital solutions, analytical tools, and opportunities for integrating educational data to create individualized learning pathways. The Turkmen side spoke about approaches being implemented through national digital solutions, including the eMekdep platforms. The parties agreed to consider a small pilot cooperation format in analytics, personalized learning, and teacher support.
Meetings with representatives of ClassLink focused on issues related to integrating educational data, managing access to digital resources, analyzing the use of educational platforms, and creating management dashboards for schools and education authorities. It was noted that such approaches align with Turkmenistan’s efforts to develop digital educational infrastructure and increase transparency in management decisions.
During a meeting with Times Higher Education, discussions covered international university rankings, evaluation methodologies, the presentation of reliable data on Turkmen universities, and enhancing their international visibility. Representatives of THE highly praised Turkmenistan’s efforts to develop higher education, increase scientific activity, and implement KPI-based approaches. The parties discussed the possibility of selecting one pilot university for systematic work aimed at increasing its international competitiveness and gradually preparing it for participation in the world’s most authoritative global rankings.
Particular attention was also given to cooperation with Pearson. During the discussion, it was emphasized that international certification in digital and professional skills could become an important tool for improving the competitiveness of students, teachers, and young specialists. The parties considered issues related to establishing certification centers, introducing internationally recognized qualifications, and creating a sustainable model for access to professional testing and certification programs.
At a meeting with representatives of the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the parties discussed international experience in educational assessment, standardized testing, transparent procedures for evaluating learning outcomes, and the training of specialists in testing and psychometrics.
During negotiations with the Project Management Institute, issues related to the development of project management in the education system were discussed. It was proposed to consider organizing an introductory seminar on managing educational reforms and digital projects.
Representatives of Matific discussed the possibilities of applying AI in mathematics education. Of particular interest were solutions in which AI could function as a personal tutor, helping students master material at an individual pace while enabling teachers to receive data on students’ progress, difficulties, and learning needs. The parties discussed the possibility of launching a small pilot project aimed at diagnosing and supporting students’ mathematical preparation.
During meetings with the British Council, the results and future prospects of the AELLCA project were reviewed. The Turkmen side expressed gratitude for the completed stages of the project, through which a significant number of English language teachers and methodology specialists gained exposure to modern teaching approaches. It was emphasized that the potential of AELLCA could serve as an accelerator for broader cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United Kingdom in education, including teacher training, teaching methodology, IELTS, English for Academic Purposes, and the development of inclusive approaches.
Within the framework of the forum, Deputy Minister of Education of Turkmenistan Azat Atayev met with the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson. During the conversation, the parties discussed prospects for further strengthening Turkmen-British cooperation in the field of education.
On the sidelines of the forum, the Turkmen delegation continues participating in parallel events, expert discussions, and bilateral meetings, presenting the priority areas of reforming the education system of our country.
Turkmenistan’s participation in the Education World Forum 2026 contributes to strengthening international partnerships, exchanging best practices, developing digital and analytical tools for education management, and promoting modern approaches to preparing competitive human capital.
