SOLEMN CEREMONY AT THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF TURKMEN DIPLOMACY
On September 18, 2026, a solemn meeting was held at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, organized jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, and the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan.
The event was dedicated to the conferral of the degree of Honorary Doctor of Political Science from Sungkyunkwan University (Republic of Korea) upon the President of Turkmenistan, Arkadagly Hero Serdar. Faculty members and students representing all higher educational institutions across the nation attended the event.
The solemn meeting featured addresses delivered by Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Aksoltan Ataeva, Head of the Department of Peace and Neutrality at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Hero of Turkmenistan, Doctor of Political Science, Chinar Rustemova, Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, Hero of Turkmenistan, Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Allaberdy Ashirov, President of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, Jumamurat Gurbangeldiyev, Minister of Education of Turkmenistan, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Gulshat Yusupova, Rector of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Maral Kuliyeva, Rector of the International University for the Humanities and Development, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Maksat Charyyev, Rector of the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Azat Babayev, Vice-Rector of the Oguz Han Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan, Leyli Dovletova, third-year student of the Faculty of Oriental Languages and Literature at the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages, who delivered her remarks in the Korean language.
The speakers underscored that the participation of our Esteemed President in the inaugural Central Asia – Republic of Korea Summit – held within the framework of his state visit to the Republic of Korea and marking a historic chapter in the annals of multilateral cooperation – testifies to the growing role of the Central Asian region in the global geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape amid a rapidly evolving international environment. Expressing immense pride, they highlighted the address delivered by our Esteemed President at the Summit, wherein he identified industry, agriculture, ecology, water management, healthcare, services, and tourism as key areas of cooperation. Furthermore, they emphasized the significance of the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Business Summit, held under the motto “Future Cooperation of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea for Growth and Innovation”.
Particular emphasis was placed on the President of Turkmenistan’s proposal to cultivate new avenues of collaboration between educational institutions of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea, including dual-degree programs. He highlighted the imperative of enhancing digital literacy among the youth and convening joint academic Olympiads, competitions, and conferences. In the realm of science, he advocated for the intensification of joint research and development initiatives among young scholars, as well as the establishment of an Institute for Supporting the Development and Implementation of Youth Innovative Ideas.
In the sphere of culture, proposals included a Roadmap for Intercultural Youth Exchanges between the countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea, as well as a “Young Talents” program, emphasizing the necessity of continuing to hold festivals, concerts, creative competitions, and other events that unite the youth of our states. Furthermore, it was recommended to advance sports cooperation by facilitating specialist exchanges, promoting healthy lifestyles, and exploring the organization of International Youth Sports Games for the countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea.
The participants of the solemn ceremony noted with immense pride that during the state visit of the Esteemed President of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Korea, Sungkyunkwan University – an institution established in 1398 with a heritage spanning over six centuries – conferred upon him the degree of Honorary Doctor of Political Science. This distinguished title, awarded pursuant to the decision of the Graduate School Committee, stands as recognition of the President of Turkmenistan’s extensive expertise in foreign policy and legislative affairs, his leadership of national development, and his profound contribution to regional political stability and economic progress through a policy of permanent neutrality and the consolidation of cooperation among Central Asian states. It is worthy of note that since 1957, this prestigious honor has been bestowed upon only 101 individuals, including the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan, Hero-Arkadag, in 2015.
At the conclusion of the solemn event dedicated to the conferral of the degree of Honorary Doctor of Political Science by Sungkyunkwan University upon the President of Turkmenistan, Arkadagly Hero Serdar, an Address to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov was adopted on behalf of the participants.
Gulsenem HOMMADOVA,
Lecturer at the Department of International Law
and Comparative Law Studies
of the
Institute of International Relations
of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan