Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT170
2009-02-04 03:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
FACULTY EXCHANGE PROGRAM: MEETING WITH THE RECTOR OF
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000170
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
ANKARA FOR AGRICULTURE COUNSELOR
USDA FOR GERARD AND FREITAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV EAGR ECON SOCI TX
SUBJECT: FACULTY EXCHANGE PROGRAM: MEETING WITH THE RECTOR OF
TURKMEN AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY
REF: (A) 08 Ashgabat 787 (B) 08 Ashgabat 1648
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000170
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
ANKARA FOR AGRICULTURE COUNSELOR
USDA FOR GERARD AND FREITAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV EAGR ECON SOCI TX
SUBJECT: FACULTY EXCHANGE PROGRAM: MEETING WITH THE RECTOR OF
TURKMEN AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY
REF: (A) 08 Ashgabat 787 (B) 08 Ashgabat 1648
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (U) ACTION REQUEST: THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. See para. 8.
3. (SBU) SUMMARY: Agriculture University Rector, Gurbandurdy
Mammedgulyev, agreed to arrange classes for Faculty Exchange
Program-sponsored University of Nevada, Reno professors due to
arrive in Turkmenistan in mid-February. The Rector recommended that
the seminar series begin with an introduction to the U.S.
agriculture sector, economy, and even the current political
situation and the new administration. Mammedgulyev showed interest
in other U.S. programs that his students and staff could take part
in. Post would be grateful for guidance on technology and equipment
needed by the professors for their presentations during their visit.
END SUMMARY.
CLARIFICATION OF THE SEMINAR SCHEDULE
4. (SBU) On January 30, Rector of Turkmen Agriculture University,
Gurbandurdy Mammedgulyev, agreed to the proposed dates of February
13-25 for the visit of University of Nevada, Reno College of
Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources professors, Stanley
Johnson and Rangesan Narayanan. Mammedgulyev noted that February 19
is a non-working day because Flag Day is a national holiday. The
Rector assigned Deputy Rector, Dovlet Muradov, to draft a schedule
of lectures based on Post's proposal of a combination of
morning/afternoon/evening classes, which will not exceed six hours
per day. The rector offered to arrange a small class of about 50
people or a big class consisting of up to 200 people. The Rector
noted the need for advance notice of equipment or technology needs
-- other than a blackboard -- that would be used to make
presentations.
RECTOR RECOMMENDS INTRODUCTORY SEMINAR ON U.S. POLICY
5. (SBU) Mammedgulyev recommended that the professors begin the
lecture series with an introduction to the U.S. agriculture sector,
economy, and even the current political situation and the new
administration. He also expressed interest in having a question and
answer session. The Rector himself wanted to ask some questions
about U.S. plans to engage with Afghanistan and its implications on
relations between United States and Turkmenistan.
RECTOR SHOWS INTEREST IN USG EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
6. (SBU) The Rector said that the University will nominate
economics teachers with no English language skills, and teachers in
other fields with some English skills, for the Faculty Exchange
Program (FEP). U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Program
Specialist, Edward Gerard, will interview the nominees during his
visit on March 25-27. In response to Mammedgulyev's question about
other USG-sponsored programs with pertinence for the University,
Economic Officer described the Cochran Fellowship and U.S.
Department of Commerce Special American Business and Internship
Training (SABIT) program. The Rector also asked about various
majors offered at the University of Nevada, Reno, College of
Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources.
7. (SBU) COMMENT: Turkmen, like people in most places, are proud
of their country and culture. In that light, the Rector's comment
"when foreigners come here, they expect it to be like Africa"
reflected a sense of wounded pride, perhaps associated with past
visits by foreign guests. Given this sensitivity it would be best
to avoid any comments that suggest deficiencies in Turkmen
abilities, practices and knowledge. A point of contention in future
discussions concerning Turkmen participation in the Faculty Exchange
Program will certainly be the length of the Turkmens' stay in the
U.S. In the past Ministry officials have insisted that participants
can stay in the U.S. for three months at the very most (reftels).
END COMMENT.
ASHGABAT 00000170 002 OF 002
8. ACTION REQUEST: Please approach USDA for guidance on equipment
needs of Professor Johnson and Narayanan.
MILES
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
ANKARA FOR AGRICULTURE COUNSELOR
USDA FOR GERARD AND FREITAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV EAGR ECON SOCI TX
SUBJECT: FACULTY EXCHANGE PROGRAM: MEETING WITH THE RECTOR OF
TURKMEN AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY
REF: (A) 08 Ashgabat 787 (B) 08 Ashgabat 1648
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (U) ACTION REQUEST: THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. See para. 8.
3. (SBU) SUMMARY: Agriculture University Rector, Gurbandurdy
Mammedgulyev, agreed to arrange classes for Faculty Exchange
Program-sponsored University of Nevada, Reno professors due to
arrive in Turkmenistan in mid-February. The Rector recommended that
the seminar series begin with an introduction to the U.S.
agriculture sector, economy, and even the current political
situation and the new administration. Mammedgulyev showed interest
in other U.S. programs that his students and staff could take part
in. Post would be grateful for guidance on technology and equipment
needed by the professors for their presentations during their visit.
END SUMMARY.
CLARIFICATION OF THE SEMINAR SCHEDULE
4. (SBU) On January 30, Rector of Turkmen Agriculture University,
Gurbandurdy Mammedgulyev, agreed to the proposed dates of February
13-25 for the visit of University of Nevada, Reno College of
Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources professors, Stanley
Johnson and Rangesan Narayanan. Mammedgulyev noted that February 19
is a non-working day because Flag Day is a national holiday. The
Rector assigned Deputy Rector, Dovlet Muradov, to draft a schedule
of lectures based on Post's proposal of a combination of
morning/afternoon/evening classes, which will not exceed six hours
per day. The rector offered to arrange a small class of about 50
people or a big class consisting of up to 200 people. The Rector
noted the need for advance notice of equipment or technology needs
-- other than a blackboard -- that would be used to make
presentations.
RECTOR RECOMMENDS INTRODUCTORY SEMINAR ON U.S. POLICY
5. (SBU) Mammedgulyev recommended that the professors begin the
lecture series with an introduction to the U.S. agriculture sector,
economy, and even the current political situation and the new
administration. He also expressed interest in having a question and
answer session. The Rector himself wanted to ask some questions
about U.S. plans to engage with Afghanistan and its implications on
relations between United States and Turkmenistan.
RECTOR SHOWS INTEREST IN USG EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
6. (SBU) The Rector said that the University will nominate
economics teachers with no English language skills, and teachers in
other fields with some English skills, for the Faculty Exchange
Program (FEP). U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Program
Specialist, Edward Gerard, will interview the nominees during his
visit on March 25-27. In response to Mammedgulyev's question about
other USG-sponsored programs with pertinence for the University,
Economic Officer described the Cochran Fellowship and U.S.
Department of Commerce Special American Business and Internship
Training (SABIT) program. The Rector also asked about various
majors offered at the University of Nevada, Reno, College of
Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources.
7. (SBU) COMMENT: Turkmen, like people in most places, are proud
of their country and culture. In that light, the Rector's comment
"when foreigners come here, they expect it to be like Africa"
reflected a sense of wounded pride, perhaps associated with past
visits by foreign guests. Given this sensitivity it would be best
to avoid any comments that suggest deficiencies in Turkmen
abilities, practices and knowledge. A point of contention in future
discussions concerning Turkmen participation in the Faculty Exchange
Program will certainly be the length of the Turkmens' stay in the
U.S. In the past Ministry officials have insisted that participants
can stay in the U.S. for three months at the very most (reftels).
END COMMENT.
ASHGABAT 00000170 002 OF 002
8. ACTION REQUEST: Please approach USDA for guidance on equipment
needs of Professor Johnson and Narayanan.
MILES