HEC and Turkmenistan Discuss Higher Education and Language Cooperation

Updated 7 November 2026: This article has been updated to reflect the specific involvement of the International Islamic University Islamabad in religious and Arabic language studies.

What Happened

Pakistan and Turkmenistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in several academic areas. During a meeting at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Secretariat in Islamabad on November 4, 2026, HEC Chairman Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar and the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Atadjan Movlamov, discussed expanding academic collaboration [2].

Key developments include:

• A proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) in Islamabad and the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages in Ashgabat. This initiative aims to provide Urdu language teachers to the institute in Turkmenistan [2].
• Progress in extending cooperation between the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) and Turkmenistan regarding higher education studies in disciplines related to religion and the Arabic language [1, 3].
• Specific interest from Turkmen representatives to cooperate with IIUI in the fields of Usul-ud-Din, Shariah, Fiqh, Hadith, and Arabic [3].
• A proposed MoU between the IIUI and Arkadag Islamic University, following discussions involving the former Mufti of Turkmenistan, Mr. Yalkap Hojagulyyev [2].
• Plans to enhance cooperation in Islamic studies, research, faculty exchange, and academic programmes [2].
• Agreed efforts to expand cooperation in curriculum development and institutional linkages [1, 2].

During a meeting with Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saad Alahmed, the President and Acting Rector of IIUI, the Turkmen Ambassador and Mr. Yalkap Hojagulyyev—who is the chief Imam of the Spiritual Mosque of Arkadag and rector of the Higher Madrasa—discussed these academic partnerships [3]. The delegation included Mr. Atamyrat Saparmyradov, a specialist at the Office of the Mufti of Turkmenistan, and representatives from the Ministry of Religious Affairs [3].

Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saad Alahmed offered the opportunity for Turkmen students and scholars to benefit from IIUI’s academic strength and research [3]. He assured the delegation of the university’s support in building these partnerships [3]. Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar stated that the HEC will support collaboration involving NUML and other Pakistani higher education institutions to facilitate Urdu language teaching and academic partnerships [2].

Who Is Affected

The proposed initiatives involve several institutions, including the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages, and Arkadag Islamic University [2]. The cooperation is intended to benefit Turkmen students and scholars seeking higher studies and research in religious and linguistic disciplines [3].