Tajikistan and Iran consider expanding student scholarship program despite low uptake
Tajikistan and Iran are considering increasing the number of government-funded scholarships available to students from both countries.
The proposal was discussed during a July 30 meeting between Tajik Minister of Education and Science Rahim Sayedzoda and Iranian Ambassador to Tajikistan Alireza Haghighian.
According to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Education and Science, each country currently offers 50 scholarships a year to citizens of the other, mainly for medical studies. The two sides are now considering expanding the program.
The meeting also covered joint research projects, the preparation of academic and scientific publications, cooperation between universities, and the teaching of language and literature.
«The parties expressed satisfaction with the expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran in education and science, noting that scholarships for citizens of both countries are an important factor in strengthening academic ties,» the ministry’s press service said.
An official source at the ministry told Asia-Plus that Iranian students are currently studying at Tajik universities under the scholarship program. However, Tajik students have yet to use the equivalent opportunities offered by Iran. The source did not explain why.
The possibility of increasing the number of scholarships has been discussed several times in recent years.
Two years ago, the issue was raised by Rustam Emomali, Chairman of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament), and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles-e Shura-ye Eslami-ye Iran or the Parliament of Iran). It was also discussed in 2023 by Sayedzoda and Iran’s then ambassador to Tajikistan, Mohammad-Taghi Saberi.
At the July 30 meeting, officials reportedly also noted that the Persian script is already taught in some Tajik schools, while Persian language and literature programs are available at five universities in the country.
Interest in learning the Persian script increased after President Emomali Rahmon instructed the authorities to expand its teaching in schools and universities. Relevant government agencies have since begun working to implement the initiative.
The proposal was discussed during a July 30 meeting between Tajik Minister of Education and Science Rahim Sayedzoda and Iranian Ambassador to Tajikistan Alireza Haghighian.
According to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Education and Science, each country currently offers 50 scholarships a year to citizens of the other, mainly for medical studies. The two sides are now considering expanding the program.
The meeting also covered joint research projects, the preparation of academic and scientific publications, cooperation between universities, and the teaching of language and literature.
«The parties expressed satisfaction with the expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran in education and science, noting that scholarships for citizens of both countries are an important factor in strengthening academic ties,» the ministry’s press service said.
An official source at the ministry told Asia-Plus that Iranian students are currently studying at Tajik universities under the scholarship program. However, Tajik students have yet to use the equivalent opportunities offered by Iran. The source did not explain why.
The possibility of increasing the number of scholarships has been discussed several times in recent years.
Two years ago, the issue was raised by Rustam Emomali, Chairman of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament), and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles-e Shura-ye Eslami-ye Iran or the Parliament of Iran). It was also discussed in 2023 by Sayedzoda and Iran’s then ambassador to Tajikistan, Mohammad-Taghi Saberi.
At the July 30 meeting, officials reportedly also noted that the Persian script is already taught in some Tajik schools, while Persian language and literature programs are available at five universities in the country.
Interest in learning the Persian script increased after President Emomali Rahmon instructed the authorities to expand its teaching in schools and universities. Relevant government agencies have since begun working to implement the initiative.
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