JAPANESE EDUCATION PROGRAMS: NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR TURKMEN YOUTH
On May 19, 2026, a briefing on Japan’s “MEXT” scholarship program was held at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. This event, which holds great significance for the national education system and international academic cooperation, was jointly organized by the Embassy of Japan in Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.
The primary objective of the briefing was to familiarize Turkmen youth studying Japanese with the international academic programs offered by the Government of Japan for foreign students, to further stimulate their interest in learning the language, and to significantly increase the number of future applicants from Turkmenistan.
During the briefing, detailed information was presented regarding international scholarship categories, including “Research Students”, “Undergraduate Students”, “Specialized Training College Students”, and “Japanese Studies Students”. These programs are specifically designed for secondary school pupils and university students pursuing Japanese language studies across the country.
One of the most engaging and inspiring segments of the briefing featured presentations by Turkmen students currently pursuing their degrees in this advanced East Asian nation through the aforementioned MEXT scholarships. Connecting online from various regions and universities in Japan, our young compatriots shared valuable insights into their student life, the secrets to fast and effective Japanese language acquisition, campus environments, and cultural adaptation, drawing from their firsthand experiences.
The event witnessed widespread participation, drawing active attendance from students representing all higher education institutions in the capital and regions where the Japanese language is taught. Additionally, pupils, teachers, and educational professionals from secondary schools specializing in advanced Japanese language studies actively participated in the briefing.
Dunyagozel BABAHANOVA,
Instructor at the Department of World Languages
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan