INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN WORLD OF CULTURE AND EDUCATION
From April 24 to May 6, 2024, a Turkmen delegation representing higher educational institutions of Turkmenistan visited Washington and Albuquerque in the framework of the United States "Open World" program. On the first day of the visit, an introductory meeting was held at the Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL) at the Library of Congress in Washington, USA. The meeting was followed by a tour to the US Capitol and the White House.
After Washington Turkmen delegation continued its trip with visiting Albuquerque. In Albuquerque for the delegation from Turkmenistan formal dinner was hosted at Albuquerque Sister Cities Committee member Mellie Meyer's home. During the dinner, the Turkmen delegation introduced the institutions they represent and the tasks they perform, and talked with the members of the Committee.
Cultural program of the trip began with a familiarization visit was made to Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. In Santa Fe, the Turkmen delegation visited the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the International Folk Art Museum and got acquaintance with the history, traditions and living conditions of the indigenous peoples living in New Mexico.
Official part of the trip continued with a meeting with representatives of Bernalillo County, Albuquerque. During the meeting, the speakers told about the American education system and the work being done at the district level.
In the meetings, which were held with professors of the University of New Mexico the establishment of cooperation between the higher education institutions of Turkmenistan and the University of New Mexico was discussed. During the meetings, discussions were held on such issues as organizing online conferences, establishing student exchange, cooperation in conducting research activities. In particular, during the meeting with the Institute of International Studies of the University of New Mexico, it was proposed to organize bilateral videoconferences on foreign languages and short-term student exchange visits. Also, they were closely acquainted with the curricula of the Department of Political Sciences of the University.
The Turkmen delegation visited the San Felipe Pueblo in the area to watch pre-planting season of the indigenous people of America. During these activities, they were closely acquainted with the traditions performed by local peoples and learned about the history, traditions, and current situation of New Mexico's indigenous peoples at the Albuquerque Cultural Center.
There were also introduced information technology, artificial intelligence, solar energy, and mechanical engineering of New Mexico Central Community College, the BRAIN program developed by experts at the Albuquerque City Hall and a company called Grid Watch to Turkmen side. As it was emphasized, this program is designed according to the concept of a smart city, and it is aimed at carrying out the monitoring of gas, electricity and water in the offices and businesses belonging to the municipality of the city of Albuquerque.
On last day of a trip, an orientation visit to Albuquerque's Biopark was arranged. During this journey, the experts of the Biopark talked about the ongoing work to preserve and increase the number of endangered animals and care for the animals within the Biopark.
Merdan BERDINIYAZOV,
Senior Lecturer of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.