On 17 September, as part of his official visit to the Republic of Korea, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, held a cordial meeting with faculty members and students at Korea University.
At the beginning of the meeting, by decision of the University’s Academic Council, Leader of the Nation, Emomali Rahmon, was conferred an Honorary Doctorate.

In his address, the Head of State, Emomali Rahmon, expressed his gratitude to the University’s leadership and Academic Council for deeming him worthy of this high honor.

“I regard this decision as another affirmation of the commitment of our two countries to the development and expansion of friendly relations, as well as to the shared scientific and cultural values of our ancient nations,” — stated the Head of State, Emomali Rahmon.

It was emphasized that science and education, literature, and the pursuit of knowledge have constituted the foundation of the formation of the ancient civilization of the Tajik people over thousands of years. It is precisely thanks to this heritage that the Tajik people have presented the world with outstanding thinkers whose works, over the course of many centuries, have served as a driving force for the advancement of science and culture in both the East and the West.

It was noted that our ancestors made a significant contribution to the development of human civilization through their literary and philosophical heritage and scientific discoveries in the fields of exact sciences, including mathematics, astronomy, natural sciences, medicine, chemistry, geography, agriculture and irrigation, and architecture.

President of the country, Emomali Rahmon, spoke about the measures undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan to create favorable conditions for scientific and educational development in the country.

In particular, it was highlighted that, as a result of measures implemented in this area, over the 35 years of independence, the number of higher education institutions in our country has increased from 13 to 51, while the number of students enrolled in them has risen from 70,000 to 230,000.

The Head of State stated that we consistently create the necessary conditions and opportunities for young people to pursue education and professional training abroad. Currently, more than 40,000 young people from Tajikistan are studying science, acquiring knowledge, and learning modern professions at higher education institutions in nearly 50 countries around the world, including the Republic of Korea.

“We are interested in continuing cooperation with Korea University and other higher education institutions in your country, as well as in strengthening and expanding academic exchanges and implementing joint scientific and research projects,” — stated President of the country, Emomali Rahmon.

During his address, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon also spoke about the key stages in the development of Tajikistan’s foreign policy and the process of expanding friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between our country and the Republic of Korea.

It was noted that our countries are united by positive traditions of partnership founded on the principles of goodwill toward one another, mutual understanding, mutual respect, and trust. Next year, we will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries.

In this context, the role of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in the consistent strengthening and expansion of ongoing partnership processes between our countries was stressed.

Leader of the Nation, Emomali Rahmon, identified the strengthening and expansion of cultural and humanitarian ties, particularly in the areas of human resource development and healthcare, as important aspects of relations between the two countries.

It was emphasized that we attach particular importance to expanding cooperation in the fields of higher education and academic exchange.

It was noted that friendly Korea annually provides scholarships and educational grants for Tajik youth to study at its universities. Currently, more than 350 students from our country are studying in the Republic of Korea, including at Korea University, and the number of applicants wishing to study at universities in this friendly country continues to increase year by year.

The establishment of Korean language learning centers at eight universities in Tajikistan and the development of direct cooperation ties between higher education institutions of the two countries were identified as important achievements in this area in recent years.

In concluding his speech, President Emomali Rahmon expressed confidence that the further expansion of cooperation between our countries in the fields of science and education would lay a solid foundation for the training of a new generation of specialists capable of competing in the modern world.

In the courtyard of Korea University, Leader of the Nation, Emomali Rahmon, held a cordial conversation with a group of fortunate young people of the independence era who are pursuing their studies at universities in Korea.

The Head of State, Emomali Rahmon, encouraged them to make effective use of their educational opportunities, master foreign languages, and maintain high standards of conduct and discipline.