United States of America (Billings)
80An official business trip of representatives of higher education institutions of Turkmenistan, including a representative of the Turkmen State Institute of Finance, was organized from 18 to 28 October 2025 with the aim of discussing opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the field of education with higher education institutions of the states of Wyoming and Montana of the United States of America.
Montana State University Billings
(Billings, Montana, USA)
21 October 2025
During the official business trip, on 21 October 2025, members of the Turkmen delegation visited Montana State University Billings (MSUB). A tour of the campus of Montana State University Billings was organized, during which the main directions of the national education policy of the Independent, permanently Neutral State of Turkmenistan were presented, including information about higher education institutions of Turkmenistan. Issues of cooperation between the two states in the field of higher and secondary vocational education were discussed.
The following promising areas of cooperation were discussed:
1. Educational exchanges: exchange of students and faculty members, exchange of electronic library collections, organization of joint online classes, and use of shared electronic information resources. Montana State University Billings proposed carrying out activities on mutual exchange of experience in implementing modern teaching methods.
2. Research cooperation: joint projects on topics of mutual interest. The Turkmen side expressed interest in cooperation in preparing joint research works and academic articles in the fields of digital transformations in education, finance, management, business, accounting, pedagogy, and the English language.
3. Cultural and academic initiatives: organization of academic conferences, seminars, and summer schools. Financing of joint projects through grants.
Members of the Turkmen delegation were introduced to information about the history of the university. MSUB was previously called Eastern Montana College of Education. It was established in 1927 and in its early years operated with the purpose of training teachers. At present, MSUB is one of the leading higher education institutions of the state of Montana, namely the third largest university in the state. The number of students studying at the university exceeds 4,000, the majority of whom are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs. Opportunities are also provided for studying at the master’s degree level.
The university consists of a total of five divisions:
1. College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences;
2. College of Business;
3. College of Education;
4. College of Health Professions and Sciences;
5. “City College,” providing two-year specialized (advanced) vocational training.
At present, MSUB pays special attention to online education and the HyFlex format. HyFlex is a new form of blended (hybrid) education in which students can receive education both in face-to-face and online formats. It combines elements of in-person and online learning. This opportunity is particularly convenient for students living in remote regions. In addition, MSUB maintains close ties with the community. Many graduates work in the local economy and contribute to the economic development of the country.
From a financial perspective, MSUB relies on its own operational (capital) resources, grants, and state support. This enables the university to expand its modern digital and pedagogical capabilities.
Members of the Turkmen delegation were introduced to the activities of the MSUB division working with international students. Detailed information was provided on digital student registration, the conditions created for students within the division, and the possibilities of student dormitories. The delegation also visited the MSUB library and the IT support department. Detailed explanations were given about the library’s structure, library collections, centralized electronic journals, the Springer electronic library, and the services offered to faculty members and students. The digital registration of library users was demonstrated using computer technologies. Information was provided about established cooperation between the MSUB library and libraries of other universities regarding the exchange of books (manuals) necessary for students and faculty members. Students are allowed to carry out independent work, relax, or collaborate with classmates on any of the three floors of the library. The library offers conditions to meet various student needs, such as study rooms, cafeteria-style booths, and different types of seating. If a study room is needed, it can be reserved in advance, although reservation is not mandatory. Book vending machines are located in the foyers on the second floor of the library.
Members of the Turkmen delegation held meetings with Susan Gilbertz, Dean of the MSUB College of Business, as well as with Tami Haaland, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Susan Gilbertz, Dean of the MSUB College of Business, noted that the structural unit under her leadership offers bachelor’s degree programs in Accounting, Finance, General Business, Management, and Marketing, and that research work related to finance and economics is being conducted. In turn, Tami Haaland, Dean of the MSUB College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, brought to the attention of the members of the Turkmen delegation detailed information about the training of bachelor’s students in pedagogy, humanities, and psychology, as well as about ongoing research activities.
An exchange of a number of questions and answers related to the establishment of cooperation took place between the members of the Turkmen delegation and the deans of the MSUB College of Business and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
Members of the Turkmen delegation were given the opportunity to attend a general class conducted by a faculty member teaching humanities disciplines at MSUB. It was observed that the technical equipment available for conducting classes was of a high standard, that advanced teaching methods were applied, and that individual parts of the taught topic were reinforced in the form of questions and answers.
Kurt Toenjes, Dean of the College of Health Professions and Sciences, which is one of the main areas of bachelor’s degree training at MSUB, closely familiarized the members of the Turkmen delegation with the organization of academic and practical training. He explained the active programs, conditions created in laboratories, equipment used in conducting practical training, material resources, and the performance of research work by students of different academic years.
A meeting on establishing bilateral cooperation was held in an expanded format with the participation of members of the Turkmen delegation and MSUB leadership. Speeches were delivered by MSUB President Stefani Gray Hicswa and Vice President Lee Vartanian. The Turkmen delegation presented detailed information on the achievements of the education system of Turkmenistan. It was emphasized that curricula in the country’s higher education institutions are being updated in accordance with international quality standards, digital education is developing, modern material and technical infrastructure is being expanded, research activity is increasing, and universities are participating in international rankings. Subsequently, the importance of establishing cooperation between relevant higher and secondary vocational education institutions of Turkmenistan and MSUB was noted. In his/her speech, MSUB leadership also highly evaluated the opportunities for implementing joint educational programs, research activities, and student exchange programs in the fields of economics, management, and international business.
The idea of jointly using the MSUB Canvas LMS educational portal was supported. This platform will be used for conducting joint classes, applying existing course standards, and systematically monitoring the mastery of educational content.
The possibilities of establishing cooperation between the Turkmen State Institute of Finance and the MSUB College of Business in the fields of finance and economics, as well as between pedagogical higher education institutions of Turkmenistan and the MSUB College of Education, were discussed. Drafts of a Memorandum of Understanding and a Roadmap prepared by the Turkmen State Institute of Finance were submitted to MSUB.
The series of working meetings held at Montana State University Billings became an important step in the development of international cooperation in the system of higher and secondary vocational education of Turkmenistan, the implementation of innovative practices, and the expansion of youth participation in world-class educational opportunities.
