United States of America (Laramie)
418This was an official business trip of representatives of higher educational institutions of Turkmenistan, including a representative of the Turkmen State Institute of Finance, organized from October 18 to 28, 2025, with the purpose of discussing opportunities for bilateral cooperation in education with higher educational institutions in the states of Wyoming and Montana of the United States of America.
University of Wyoming
(Laramie, Wyoming, USA)
October 24, 2025
During the official business trip, on October 24, 2025, members of the Turkmen delegation visited the University of Wyoming (UW), located in Laramie, Wyoming, USA. The delegation members were warmly welcomed by Warren Crawford, Deputy Director of the Global Engagement Department of the Cheney International Center at UW, Maria Almendares, Immigration Coordinator for International Students and Scholars in this department, and Joshua Moro, Deputy Director and Instructor of the English Language Center of this department. At the Cheney International Center, the activities of the unit working with international students were presented. The visit included a campus tour of the University of Wyoming, discussions on upcoming meetings and interviews, and other agenda-related events.
The Turkmen delegation was introduced to the history of the university. The University of Wyoming was founded in 1886 and admitted its first students in September 1887. This university holds notable positions in international rankings as a national research center. Currently, UW has over 12,000 students enrolled in undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs. The university also offers PhD-level training. University buildings are equipped with modern classrooms, lecture halls, conference rooms, and recreation areas with billiard tables. The campus includes a library with computer labs, a geology museum, cafes, shops, and outdoor terraces.
The structure of the University of Wyoming includes the following colleges:
- College of Agriculture, Life Sciences, and Natural Resources;
- College of Arts and Sciences;
- College of Business;
- College of Education (Pedagogy);
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences;
- College of Health Sciences;
- College of Law.
The university offers more than 80 undergraduate programs and more than 90 master's programs.
The delegation members were acquainted with the operations and departments of the William Robertson Coe Library of the University of Wyoming. The library provides all the facilities necessary for professors and students. It contains various resources, scientific databases, textbooks and study guides, scientific references, interlibrary loans, the OverDrive platform, digital collections, special collections, and other amenities.
A meeting between the Turkmen delegation and the university administration was held in the College of Business building.
The meeting was attended by David Bagley, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Professor of the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Scott Beauler, Dean of the College of Business, J. Scott Turpen, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Maria Almendares, Immigration Coordinator for International Students and Scholars at the Cheney International Center’s Global Engagement Department.
During the meeting, university representatives provided detailed explanations on the organization of undergraduate and master’s programs, classroom facilities, continuous improvement of material and technical resources, the use of innovative teaching methods, student support activities, internship arrangements, research activities, establishing links between education, science, and industry, implementing research results into production, revenue from scientific work, level of faculty preparation, conditions for professors and students, graduate employment, maintaining relationships with employers and alumni, development of international collaboration with foreign universities, and other areas.
The Turkmen delegation introduced participants to the main directions of the national education policy of independent and permanently neutral Turkmenistan, presented the country’s higher education institutions, explained the use of innovative teaching methods for training highly qualified specialists, preparation of scientific and pedagogical staff through postgraduate and doctoral studies, scientific research conducted in higher education institutions in priority fields of science and technology, outcomes of the national ranking system, inclusion of Turkmen universities in international rankings, implementation of the digital education concept, organization of online education with foreign countries, development of international cooperation in higher professional education, and emphasized the importance of establishing bilateral cooperation between the University of Wyoming and several higher education institutions in Turkmenistan.
At this meeting, Gulbesher Babayeva, Vice Rector for Research of the Turkmen State Institute of Finance and Candidate of Economic Sciences, delivered a report, presenting the institute’s structure, active faculties, departments, and units, undergraduate and master’s training programs, scientific research, preparation of textbooks and study guides, and other activities. She highlighted the importance of establishing bilateral cooperation between the Turkmen State Institute of Finance and the University of Wyoming and proposed the 2026 Cooperation Roadmap project for consideration.
Issues of cooperation between the two states in higher and secondary professional education were discussed. The following priority areas for cooperation were considered:
- Educational Exchanges: Exchange of students and faculty, exchange of electronic library resources, organization of joint online classes, and use of shared electronic information resources. Measures for mutual experience exchange in implementing modern teaching methods with the University of Wyoming, located in Laramie, Wyoming, were discussed.
- Scientific Research Cooperation: Joint projects on topics of mutual interest. The Turkmen side expressed interest in joint scientific work and publications in the fields of digital transformations in education, finance, management, business, accounting, pedagogy, and English language.
- Cultural and Academic Initiatives: Organization of scientific conferences, seminars, and summer schools, with joint projects funded through grants.
Maria Almendares, Immigration Coordinator for International Students and Scholars at the Cheney International Center’s Global Engagement Department, and Joshua Moro, Deputy Director and Instructor of the English Language Center of the same department, guided members of the Turkmen delegation through the university campus.
The College of Agriculture, Life Sciences, and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming strives for academic excellence. The college prepares students to solve real-world challenges through a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach. Under the guidance of experienced faculty leading innovative research and applied learning, students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to make meaningful contributions to agriculture, life sciences, and natural resource management. Students undergo regular practical training not only on campus but also in the Wyoming Veterinary Laboratory and gain field experience at the ACRES student farm. They study all areas of agriculture and natural resources, from economics and entrepreneurship to animal science and ecosystems. The college houses the following departments: Agriculture and Applied Economics, Animal Science, Botany, Ecosystem Science and Management, Family and Consumer Sciences, Molecular Biology, Plant Sciences, Veterinary Sciences, Zoology and Physiology, Agricultural Communications, Microbiology, Ranch Management, and Agricultural Leadership.
The College of Arts and Sciences offers continuously evolving programs under the guidance of highly skilled faculty, covering the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Students receive transformative education that allows them to conduct research, ask questions, and make discoveries. A commitment to inclusivity and experiential learning prepares graduates for successful employment and civic engagement. Academic excellence in the college is integrated with research to develop future leaders and creative thinkers. Students study the humanities and legal studies, various fields of art, and foreign languages including Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, and French. The college comprises the following departments: Anthropology, Communication and Journalism, Criminal Law and Sociology, American Studies, English, History, Modern and Classical Languages, Music, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Psychology, Political Science, Public Administration and School of International Studies, Theater and Dance, Visual Arts.
The College of Business integrates academic mastery with practical knowledge applicable in real life. Accredited programs ensure students receive comprehensive, high-quality education recognized and respected worldwide by employers. Understanding the importance of flexibility in higher education, the college offers various degree programs that meet the diverse needs of students.
The Peter M. and Paula Green Johnson Student Support Center of the College of Business assists all students in planning their career paths based on the principle “from education to employment in corporations.” MBA programs and international business trips allow students to acquire practical skills. Innovative spaces, such as Teton Lab, the Mentorship Program for Venture Investors, and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, provide unique opportunities to explore, lead, and develop ideas. Departments within the College of Business include: Accounting and Finance, Blockchain and Digital Innovations, Professional Sales, Business and Economic Analysis, Values-Based Leadership and Ethics, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Graduate and Online Programs, and Management and Marketing.
The College of Education (Pedagogy) at the University of Wyoming combines practical knowledge with theoretical preparation, providing academic excellence. Experienced faculty make every effort to help students achieve their future educational and professional goals through courses organized according to advanced curricula. The college includes the following departments: Education (Pedagogy), Counseling, Leadership, Advocacy and Design, and Natural Sciences and Mathematics Education.
The College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Wyoming emphasizes interdisciplinary and inclusive education as well as the importance of scientific research. Highly qualified faculty provide students with up-to-date knowledge. The STEM approach is widely applied in preparing future specialists. Each year, approximately 300 students in the college receive awards for academic achievement. The “Engineering-Technical Education and Research” building is the most modern complex designed to support innovation, collaboration, and experiential learning. As part of the “First-Level Engineering Education” initiative, this complex supports workforce development and scientific research related to the future economy. The complex houses multifunctional laboratories for next-level engineering education, project rooms, active learning classrooms, a drilling simulator, and other facilities. Departments in this college include: Atmospheric Sciences, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Energy and Petroleum Extraction, Geology and Geophysics, Mathematics and Statistics, Mechanical and Energy Systems, Physics and Astronomy, and Computational Science.
The College of Health Sciences provides education in various programs such as communication disorders, kinesiology and health, nursing, pharmacy, and social work. Equipped with the latest facilities and committed to academic excellence, the college prepares students to become leaders in healthcare. Departments in this college include: Communication Disorders, Kinesiology and Health, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, and Disability Studies.
Admission to the College of Law requires submission of LSAT results along with other documents.
The University of Wyoming employs a large number of highly qualified professors and researchers who provide high-quality education and conduct scientific research. On average, each faculty member is responsible for 12 students. Undergraduate students participate in research projects from their first year, enabling them to gain practical skills, acquire knowledge aligned with modern world demands, develop innovative projects, and achieve success in competitions.
UW’s sports facilities include multiple training complexes, a track and field center, indoor and outdoor soccer fields, golf and tennis courts, a wrestling arena, basketball and volleyball courts, fitness centers, dance studios, weight rooms, a climbing wall, and a swimming pool. UW students participate in competitions organized by the NCAA Division I. The university invests in sports infrastructure, including training centers, arenas, and educational-sports complexes. During the academic year, various sports competitions are held within the university and between universities, while on weekends students participate in outdoor excursions.
The university also pays attention to high-quality student leisure. There are over 200 clubs for students. On weekends, the Student Council organizes barbecues, movie screenings, stand-up performances, karaoke, craft and art evenings, and other events.
Among the most notable UW alumni are the 46th Vice President of the United States Dick Cheney, Director of NASA’s Apollo Program Samuel Cochran Phillips, businessman and owner of the Los Angeles Lakers Gerald Hatten “Jerry” Buss, and others.
UW provides modern dormitories and apartments for students located near the university. Entry is controlled exclusively via electronic access cards. Dormitories are fully equipped and furnished. Housing is designed for one to two students, with the possibility of family accommodation. Bathrooms are available on floors or within student rooms. Amenities include laundry rooms, TV rooms, game rooms, kitchens, lounges, study rooms, and computer labs.
Representatives of the higher education institutions in the Turkmen delegation held separate meetings: one group met with representatives of the College of Business, while another met with representatives of the Colleges of Education (Pedagogy) and Engineering & Physical Sciences. During these meetings, participants exchanged views and consulted on specific issues regarding the establishment of bilateral cooperation.
In the College of Business building, a meeting was held with Kenny Zheng, Chair of the Department of Accounting and Finance. During the meeting, Chair Kenny Zheng and members of the Turkmen delegation, including a representative of the Turkmen State Institute of Finance, thoroughly discussed economic courses, curricula, undergraduate and master’s programs, professors’ research, students’ independent work, international student exchange experiences, internships, joint research projects, and opportunities to participate in international grants to fund potential future cooperation.
Selbi Batyrova, Vice Rector for Research of the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages named after Dovletmammed Azadi, delivered a speech before UW representatives and students, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.
Following this, the Turkmen delegation organized an exhibition of national handicrafts for UW representatives and students.
During the trip, Azat Atayev, Deputy Minister of Education of Turkmenistan for higher and secondary professional education, and Caroline McCracken-Flesher, Director of the Global Studies Center of the Cheney International Center’s Global Engagement Department at UW, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Turkmen State Institute of Finance and the University of Wyoming, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding between the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages named after Dovletmammed Azadi and the University of Wyoming.
The series of meetings, consultations, and signed memoranda at the University of Wyoming will contribute significantly to the development of international cooperation in Turkmenistan’s higher and secondary professional education system, the implementation of innovative practices, and the participation of Turkmen youth in world-class educational opportunities.