OREANDA-NEWS. November 25, 2010. The International Exhibition and Conference “Education, Science, Sports and Tourism in the Epoch of New Revival” opened in Turkmen capital on the initiative and under the patronage of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who pays paramount attention to the development of the national science and education sectors and the spiritual and physical health of the nation. The large-scale international action is jointly organized by the Ministry of Education, the Academy of Sciences, the State Committee for Tourism and Sport, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan.

In the welcome statement to participants and organizers of the International Exhibition and Conference President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov underlined their important role in updating the sphere of science, applying scientific and technological advances in the national economy, expanding further international cooperation in the areas of science and innovative technologies, developing sports and international tourism. “Science should not be separated from our life, the progress of society. In the future the country should have a firm scientific platform to implement far-reaching plans and long-term programmes. The results of scientific research and engineering developments will influence directly our economic and intellectual growth”, said the President.

The cabinet ministers, heads of the Mejlis, representatives of the public organisations of the Galkynysh National Movement, diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited in Turkmenistan, ministries and departments, research institutions affiliated to the Academy of Sciences and higher educational institutions, journalists, the elders and students attended the exhibition opening ceremony. Among the guests of honour were the representatives of the European Commission, members of the mission of the European Training Foundation, who were on a working visit to Turkmenistan.

The exposition is distinguished for its versatility that allows showcasing Turkmenistan’s achievements in the spheres of science and technology, youth training and education, sports and tourist potential of the country as well as gives an opportunity to get acquainted with products and services of foreign companies and enterprises, establish a dialogue with potential partners.

Dozens of Turkmen and foreign companies participating in the exposition present their potential in the sectors of high and computer technologies, interactive, office, language laboratory equipment, training programmes, various stages and forms of education, construction of education and sports facilities. The national and foreign travel agencies and companies presented the versatile expositions. Among them are the leading tour operators in Turkmenistan including Ashgabadsyyahat, Ovadansyyahat, travel agencies from the velayats and foreign partners including Ilves (Thailand), Thermessos (Turkey), Desert Paradise (UAE), Panorama Tur (Russia) and many others.

A great number of foreign companies are Turkmenistan’s longstanding partners, which actively cooperate with the research institutes affiliated with the Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Education. The Russian company SOFTLINE and the Chinese company Lenovo presented know-how for the education sector, the ELHOLDING Scientific and Production Association presented training devices, teaching aids, furniture and sports equipment and GMTN (Germany) presented textbooks, equipment and training software. The USAID presented the new opportunities of using multimedia equipment through new training programmes. The pavilion of the Europa House provided the information on the trends in scientific researches carried out in the EU member countries.

The Racus organization representing a group of Russian universities, the Cyprus International University, which participated in the exhibition in Ashgabat for the first time, provided the information on the opportunities of receiving higher education abroad at the Department of Tourism and Management, the Swiss company Metler toledo presented laboratory equipment and high-precision geodetic instruments. The embassies accredited to Turkmenistan and international organisations, which actively cooperate with the forum organizers in the spheres of science and education, development of cultural contacts and tourism, had their pavilions at the exhibition.

The research institutes affiliated to the Academy of Sciences showcased the results of their research activities aimed at developing various sectors of the national economy. A part of the exposition focused on the development of medicine and medical industry of Turkmenistan. It presented a wide range of the books written by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, other scientific and methodological literature.

The pavilions of Turkmen universities reflected large-scale changes taking place in the education sector on the initiative of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the new historical stage. Training aids and computer technologies introduced into the educational process had a special place in the expositions of the Turkmen institutions of higher education. It should be noted that they reflected not only the global trends in training and education of the younger generation, but also the centuries-old national traditions, customs and specificity u of education. Methodological literature, training aids and equipment were also dialysed there. The awards won by Turkmen students in the prestigious national and international competitions demonstrated their achievements in various branches of knowledge. The international exhibition included the expositions of the cultural institutions of higher education. Visitors could see national costumes, musical instruments and handicrafts and works of fine arts.

The pavilions of the State Committee for Tourism and Sport of Turkmenistan showcased sporting achievements gained in 44 kinds of sports and state-of-the-art tourist and sports equipment were of particular interest.

The pavilions of ministries, sectoral scientific production associations, scientific and technological centres, design organisations, scientific enterprises, which concentrated the research and technical potential of our country, was arranged on the ground floor of the Exhibition Centre.

The exhibition showcased the achievements and potential of business partnerships, training centres and non-governmental institutions operating in the education sector. These included the children's aesthetic centre from Ashgabat, the English language theatre from Mary, Bashkent centre, the business partnerships Rodoguna and Oldi. The pavilions of the hotels in Ashgabat, Charlak Hotel and Kuwwat Hotel located on the Caspian seashore presented the potential of the hotel sector in Turkmenistan.

The State Publishing Service of Turkmenistan and Turkmen printing houses presented the expositions of colourful high-quality printed products.

The fact of holding such a large-scale exhibition testifies to the irreversibility of the strategy chosen by the Turkmen state and its leader towards an intellectual society and scientific and technician progress.

In the afternoon the ceremony of opening of the international conference took place. Participants had arrived in Ashgabat from 19 countries of the world. Prominent scientists, university professors and heads of the leading research and trainings centres from the United States, Italy, Finland, Romania, Egypt, the Republic of Korea, Belarus and Tajikistan presented reports at the plenary session.

The spectrum of themes presented by participants was quite diverse and covered various aspects of modern science and education, youth training. The reports focused on the need to use scientific advances and innovative technologies to enhance the intellectual potential of society and foster international contacts.

The forum participants evaluated highly the positiveness of fundamental reforms implemented in the spheres of science and education, tourism and sports under the leadership of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and called for expanding international cooperation.