Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TASHKENT358
2007-03-05 10:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:  

BACK TO THE BASICS IN UZBEK EDUCATION

Tags:  SCUL PREL SOCI PGOV US UZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNT #0358/01 0641031
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 051031Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7151
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000358 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ECA/PA: ROMANOWSKI; SCA/FO: CKEPPLER; SCA/CEN:
CNICOLAIDIS; EUR/ACE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2017
TAGS: SCUL PREL SOCI PGOV US UZ
SUBJECT: BACK TO THE BASICS IN UZBEK EDUCATION

REF: A. 06 TASHKENT 2196


B. 06 TASHKENT 1064

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JON R. PURNELL FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000358

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ECA/PA: ROMANOWSKI; SCA/FO: CKEPPLER; SCA/CEN:
CNICOLAIDIS; EUR/ACE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2017
TAGS: SCUL PREL SOCI PGOV US UZ
SUBJECT: BACK TO THE BASICS IN UZBEK EDUCATION

REF: A. 06 TASHKENT 2196


B. 06 TASHKENT 1064

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JON R. PURNELL FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D)


1. (C) Summary: In back-to-back meetings with Uzbek
education ministers on February 28, SCA Deputy Assistant
Secretary Evan Feigenbaum heard a rehearsed tune of openness

SIPDIS
to "dialogue and cooperation" regarding U.S. education
programs. While both ministers acknowledged the merits of
exchanges, they stated that Uzbek national education
standards are foremost and that students who study abroad
must repeat the academic year upon their return. The
Embassy's Youth Exchange Opportunity program was
characterized as being "one-sided" and the closure of
American Councils (ACCELS) and American Corners was
conducted, according to the Minister, in accordance with
Uzbek law. A short-term summer exchange program, the return
of Fulbright scholars, and U.S. recommendations on vocational
training may be topics for future discussion. End summary

Minister of Public Education: Reinvigorating Education
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Underscoring the importance of education as an
investment in Uzbekistan's future and as an integral
component of the 2002 U.S.-Uzbek Strategic Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement, DAS Feigenbaum urged Minister of
Public Education Turobjon Djuraev to explore ways of
reinvigorating educational opportunities with the U.S. DAS
Feigenbaum explained that the Embassy's Youth Exchange
Opportunity (YEO) program and other scholarship exchanges
should be viewed as avenues of cooperation and developed to
their fullest potential. However, he said, there were
problems and obstacles in the implementation of these
programs. He noted the worldwide prestige of the Fulbright
program and cited the merits of the American Corners, stating
that re-opening the Corners could facilitate an exchange of
ideas and information, as well as expose Uzbek students to
American literature and other topics. In seeking to expand

cooperation in education, DAS Feigenbaum said that the U.S.
is open to discussion with the end result being increased
cooperation on specific education programs.

"Send Us a Proposal - We'll Get Back to You!"
-------------- --


3. (C) In response, Minister Djuraev repeatedly stated that
Uzbekistan is open to "dialogue and cooperation," but
stressed that all international programs must adhere to
national education standards and meet the needs of the
country. In particular, he said that the YEO program was
"one-sided," focusing only on improvement of the student's
English language training but failing to meet Uzbek
educational requirements. These requirements, he said, are
in accordance with Uzbek law.


4. (C) High school-aged students, he continued, were not
permitted to be absent from school for more than one week;
although in principle, students were able to participate in
short-term exchange programs during school holidays. DAS
Feigenbaum stated it was important to find a way to
reintegrate students into the Uzbek school system after their
study abroad. U.S. exchanges, he said, afforded Uzbekistan
the opportunity to remain competitive with globalization and
increased mutual understanding between the U.S. and
Uzbekistan.


5. (C) Minister Djuraev acknowledged that while American
Council's high school exchange had achieved success since it
began operating in Uzbekistan in 1994, the Uzbek courts had
closed American Council's program for "reasons that were
well- known." (Reftel B.) He said that he would consider
U.S. education proposals, including a summer exchange program
and possibly English language teacher training. He
reiterated that Uzbekistan is open to dialogue on educational
opportunities, stating that "we are not rejecting them" and
promised to respond to all Embassy proposals.

Re-Opening American Corners
--------------


6. (C) DAS Feigenbaum suggested that American Corners be
re-opened in order to provide students and the public with
access to books and information about the U.S. The minister
replied that if the Uzbek courts had closed them down there
must be good reasons for this, noting that the original
mandate of some organizations often "evolves into something
else." (Note: There was no Uzbek court decision to close
the Embassy's five American Corners in 2005. GOU officials
pressured local administrators to close the Corners. Reftel

A.)

Minister of Higher Education: Moving Beyond Dialogue
-------------- --------------


7. (C) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Higher
Education Rustam Kosimov appeared slightly more receptive to
cooperation. He echoed his colleague, saying that "education
has no boundaries" and that the Ministry was ready for
"dialogue and cooperation." In response to DAS Feigenbaum's
request that the American Fulbright program be
re-established, the Minister said he concurred and that
Fulbrighters may teach at local universities. He also stated
that he is open to reviewing other proposals involving
education.



8. (C) While emphasizing the need for students to repeat
their year abroad at Uzbek universities, he said that
approval for an exchange program that had been vetted by
Uzbek and American university presidents beforehand might win
the Ministry's endorsement. He noted the lack of
involvement of the U.S. in Uzbekistan's revamping of its
vocational training program, stating that several European
countries and China and Japan have been supportive. He said
U.S. recommendations and assistance in this field could be
considered.

NGOs and Politics
--------------


9. (C) Digressing slightly, the Minister stated that NGOs
sometimes operate outside of their charter, becoming involved
in political activities. He made a point to note that these
were not only American NGOs. DAS Feigenbaum emphasized the
important role played by NGOs throughout the world,
especially those involved with program implementation for
U.S. government educational programs.


10. (C) In closing, Minister Kosimov reassured DAS
Feigenbaum that Uzbekistan has "an open door" when it comes
to discussing education.

Comment
--------------


11. (C) The oft-repeated refrain of "dialogue and
cooperation" used by both ministers reflects the GOU's public
rhetoric in recent days. There were no tangible commitments
to support cooperation on education. Both Ministries refuse
to release official transcripts for exchange candidates and
participation in U.S. education programs is forbidden. The
pointed comments about students needing to repeat the study
year abroad also do not reflect recent practice. Returning
students are required to pass an entrance examination before
being admitted to the next grade, or as we have been hearing
lately, pay a bribe to education officials.


12. (C ) Education continues to be a topic of contention in
the bilateral relationship. DAS Feigenbaum made an
effective pitch for cooperation, and while non-committal in
their responses, this is the first time in the past two years
that Uzbek education officials at the ministerial level at
least have met with U.S. officials and heard our views.


13. (U) DAS Feigenbaum has cleared this message.
PURNELL