Dushanbe, Beijing discuss joint projects in AI, digital education

DUSHANBE. July 29 (Interfax) - Tajik Education and Science Minister Rahim Saidzoda has met with Chinese Ambassador to Tajikistan Guo Zhijun to discuss the current state and prospects of Tajik-Chinese cooperation in education, science, and personnel training, the ministry's press center reported.

Saidzoda and Guo paid special attention to training highly qualified specialists, academic exchanges, Chinese language studies, the implementation of joint educational programs, and scientific research, it said.

More than 6,000 Tajik citizens are currently studying at Chinese universities, making China one of the principal foreign destinations for Tajik students to obtain higher education, the ministry said.

The parties noted the role of the Confucius Institutes operating under Tajik National University and the Mining-Metallurgical Institute of Tajikistan in developing linguistic and humanitarian cooperation and bolstering ties between the two countries.

The two praised the activities of the joint Tajik-Chinese training and production center Luban Workshop established at Tajik Technical University to train engineering personnel and teach modern technologies.

They discussed plans to open a Confucius Institute at Dangara State University and a new Luban Workshop at the Institute of Energy of Tajikistan.

Saidzoda and Guo attached special significance to developing cooperation in artificial intelligence and digitalization of education, establishing joint research centers and laboratories, developing educational programs, enhancing qualifications of teachers and researchers, and implementing innovative projects. The Tajik minister noted the importance of China's expertise in integrating modern digital technologies into educational processes.

China is one of Tajikistan's key partners in the field of education and science. The two countries have a number of intergovernmental agreements on providing government scholarships, conducting academic exchanges, pursuing joint research projects, and developing vocational education. Cooperation between Tajikistan and China has expanded in recent years to include projects in engineering training, digital technologies, AI, and training specialists for high-tech sectors.

Based on the meeting's outcomes, the parties reaffirmed their willingness to develop cooperation in education, science, digital technology, artificial intelligence, green energy, agriculture, and the training of highly qualified personnel, noting that expanding educational and scientific ties will promote strategic partnership between the two countries.