TURKMENISTAN'S UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS AN EXERCISE IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASHGABAT 001220 SIPDIS SENSITIVE; SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/PPD, EUR/ACE, SCA/CEN (TPERRY),IIP/G E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KPAO SCUL SOCI TU TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN'S UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS AN EXERCISE IN NATIONALISM, CORRUPTION SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) Since 1991 the number of students studying at higher educational institutions of Turkmenistan has decreased dramatically. In line with a 2006 presidential decree, only 3,175 students were accepted to Turkmenistan's universities for the session beginning September 2006, in comparison with an annual admittance quota of 40,000 students prior to Turkmenistan's independence in 1991. (Note: The 2006 figure was reported in the state-controlled press. End Note.) In concert with policies that systematically erode the quality and years of education at every level of schooling, the gutting of higher education in Turkmenistan ensures the host country's loss of specialization in every sector. The Government of Turkmenistan has thus poised this nation for a dramatic regression in quality of life as well as depleted prospects for democratic and economic development in the long term. End Summary. ENROLLMENT AT ALL INSTITUTES IS SLASHED -------------- ¶2. (U) Though MOE representatives claim their annual quotas for student admission have not changed, a check against figures reported in state media reveal a drop of 3.5 percent, from 3,290 in 2005. Below is a breakdown of admissions for all higher educational institutions in Turkmenistan (Note: These numbers were announced by the president at his April 8, 2002 meeting with education officials and teachers at Turkmen State University. End Note.): Magtymguly Turkmen State University - 500 Azady Institute of World Languages - 170 International Turkmen-Turkish University- 350 Seidi State Pedagogical Institute (in Turkmenabat) - 150 Agriculture University - 350 Polytechnic Institute - 500 Institute of National Economy - 250 Institute of Transport and Communication - 230 Institute of Sports and Tourism - 80 Medical University - 280 Institute of Culture - 60 National Conservatory- 75 Arts Academy - 45 Institute of Energy - 180 Military Institute - 550 Police Academy - 150 ¶3. (U) Starting in 2002, fewer than 4,000 students have been admitted annually to local universities. Currently, there are more than 17,000 students studying at all 16 instutionals of higher education. This year, 11,727 individuals applied for university admission; the majority of applicants were from Ashgabat. Given that about 105,000 students graduate from Turkmenistan's high schools every year, the number of applicants suggests that only 10% will even attempt to get a higher degree in Turkmenistan. (Note: The 2006 figures were reported in the state-controlled press and on the pro-government Turkmenistan.ru website. End Note.) ¶4. (U) For comparison, Turkmen Medical Institute used to accept 20,000 students annually; only 280 new students were admitted to the Institute's five departments, joining a depleted student body of 1,500. In the dental department alone, enrollment has declined from 100 to 15 students in the past 5 years. Five nursing vocational schools or colleges, which also supply many of the Medical Institute's new students, operate throughout Turkmenistan. But enrollment to these schools has also been restricted. Turkmenistan's President Niyazov specifically ordered most art and music schools -- vocational as well as secondary -- closed in late 2005, but contraction has occurred in all sectors. SELECTION: A MIX OF NATIONALISM, EUGENICS, AND MONEY -------------- -------------- ¶5. (U) According to a presidential decree issued in 2002, all stages of the admissions process for Turkmenistan's universities are regulated by a central admission committee headed by Deputy Chairman for Education, Health, and Science of the Cabinet of Ministers Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov and including representatives of the Supreme Council for Science and Technology, the Minister of Education, and the rectors of all universities. Each university selects its own admission committee, approved by the MOE, which collects applications and conducts tests and interviews. Selection committees tend to travel to the regions to conduct interviews, though this year several interviewed only in Ashgabat. ¶6. (U) The Institute of Culture, National Conservatory and State Art Academy were the first to begin the admissions process this year. These and the Polytechnic Institute, Medical Institute, ASHGABAT 00001220 002 OF 003 Turkmen-Turkish University and Institute for Sports and Tourism conducted admissions interviews in Ashgabat only. The extensive exam system that determined the Soviet-era admissions process was abolished in 2000; the current system places emphasis on the interview. ¶7. (U) General requirements for all applicants to any university, in order of priority, consist of: ¶A. Oral examination on the Ruhnama and history of Turkmenistan, as well as the subject the applicant hopes to study. (Note: This requirement was introduced in 2002. End Note.) ¶B. Labor record book, which is used to prove that an applicant has at least two years' work experience, preferably in the field to which the student is applying. ¶C. Recommendation from a current or former employer. ¶D. Diploma of graduation from a secondary school. ¶E. Results of Ruhnama exam. ¶F. Any certificates, diplomas from competitions, Olympiads, records of achievement. ¶G. Certificate from the residence address. ¶H. Medical certificate. ¶I. (If an orphan) Death certificate of parents. ¶J. A minimum height of 67 inches for males and 65 inches for females (required by the Institute of Culture). The maximum age at which one can apply to university is 31, although preference is given to those who have not attended studies after high school (i.e. younger candidates). ¶8. (U) Post has received anecdotal reports of admissions committee members at other institutes making comments about applicants' physical attributes. These rumors correspond with the fact that every higher education institute -- including technical institutes such as the Institute for Oil and Gas -- have their own dance troupes who perform during national holiday celebrations. (Note: Post knows of at least three students admitted to Azadi World Languages Institute with the express understanding that they would fulfill representational roles as dancers, singers or models for national cultural events. End Note.) ¶9. (U) Each University's admission committee administers an oral exam in Turkmen, the results of which are confidential. According to rumor, this is the point of the process where the most fraud occurs -- when bribes can be offered or other deals cut with the members of the committee. The admission committee consists of teachers and department heads, a vice-rector of each university, as well as representatives of the MOE Higher Education Department and Supreme Council for Science and Technology. Interviews are conducted in the following subjects for all applicants applying to universities: ¶A. Ruhnama (in Turkmen). ¶B. History of Turkmenistan (in Turkmen). ¶C. Subject of the field to which applicant is applying (in Turkmen); foreign languages are tested in that other language. The university admission committee forwards the finalists list to the MOE, which forwards it to Deputy Chairman Berdimuhammedov, who clears on the lists. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION POSITIONS BECOMING MORE LUCRATIVE -------------- -------------- ¶10. (U) The reduction in places available has increased competition among applicants to the point that only the wealthiest or best-connected applicants can gain access. The Institute experiencing the greatest competition among applicants this year was the Institute of Culture, to which 360 applicants vied for 60 slots. (Comment: Prospective students may believe a job in the official cultural sphere is relatively secure, given heavy and growing state expenditure on the promotion of the country's culture and other "cultural" events that praise the regime. End Comment.) The pedagogical department of Turkmen State University and the Turkmenabat Pedagogical Institutes experienced the second tightest competition, with five applicants per slot. Other institutes fielded three to four applicants per slot on average. ¶11. (U) The bribe system that has sprung from these conditions carries no security for those involved, and doubtless has discouraged many students from attempting to study after high school. Students can easily be out-bribed by a higher bidder, causing them a loss of hundreds to thousands of dollars that will not be repaid, and again leaves them without a place at university. ¶12. (U) The size of bribes differs from one institution to another, ASHGABAT 00001220 003 OF 003 depending on the department and the major. The most prestigious (and thus, the most expensive) departments requiring a bribe of $8,000 to $15,000 are the English language department, the law and international relations department of TSU, the English language department of the Azadi Institute, the oil and gas department of the Polytechnic Institute, and international business management and finance at the Institute of National Economy. Other departments at various institutes require a bribe of at least $4,000, depending on how many people parents need to go through to get to the "decision maker." Professional vocational schools (12 medical, pedagogical and art schools) require a bribe of at least $2,000 on average. The competition to these schools is tough as well, because graduates of these schools are qualified to apply to a relevant university after completion of their studies without the two-year work requirement, and therefore have an advantage over other "ordinary" applicants. ¶13. (SBU) At Turkmenistan's cornerstone higher education institution, Turkmen State University, this jockeying has become visible at the highest levels. In October 2005 the former rector, Rejep Kalayev, was fired by Niyazov for corruption in admissions and management. From October 2005 to July 2006, the position lay vacant, leaving the vice-rector in charge of all matters, including nominating all 16 members of the university's admission committee. Post confirmed with a reliable source at the university that the vice-rector's suggested committee was sent three times to the MOE for approval -- an unusually difficult round of this process. Just before the admission committee started its trips to the provinces, President Niyazov appointed the new rector, Ashyrgeldi Gulgarayev, who was and remains the Minister of Justice. Teachers say that Minister of Education Shemshat Annagylyjova had been vying for a different candidate, someone notoriously corrupt, at the university. Annagylyjova had reportedly been so sure that her favored candidate would be chosen that the candidate had already begun to appoint assistants and prepare to move into his new office. When Niyazov announced the new rector, Annagylyjova looked visibly shaken by the surprise. (Note: Not only does this anecdote suggest that Annagylyjova has little influence over President Niyazov, but that Annagylyjova will be powerless when dealing with the new rector because of his superior position as Minister of Justice. End Note.) ¶14. (U) The new vice rector immediately appointed a new admissions committee, in a closed-door process that ensured even the teachers at the university were unaware of the members. On July 25-26, the university's teachers were told to take a two-day vacation, while members of the admission committee conducted interviews at the university for applicants from Ashgabat. (Note: This is especially unusual as Turkmenistan's teachers are never considered to be off-duty, even during summer vacation, and are often called in for extra work in their off hours. End Note.) ¶15. (U) Following these changes at Turkmen State University, similar processes took place at the Azadi Institute and Agricultural Institute. However, the president did not take this opportunity to hail a clean-up of the system, and according to teachers at those institutions, traditionally corrupt actors continued to hold sway. COMMENT -------------- ¶16. (U) Post suspects that this reshuffling was an effort to centralize the bribing mechanism and strengthen the chain of command, and to funnel the "revenue" thus collected to Deputy Chairman Berdimuhammedov. It appears to be another example in which Niyazov's "Golden Age" is being built at the expense of Turkmenistan's educational system and social services. End Comment. BRUSH