OSCE Centre in Ashgabad supports English language training course for academics and doctors

ASHGABAD, 16 November 2005 - Forty-two employees of various research, educational and medical institutions from across Turkmenistan today received certificates for having completed an English language course, supported by a co-operative initiative between the European Union's Technical Assistance for Commonwealth of Independent States (TACIS) Programme and the OSCE Centre in Ashgabad.

"It is important that these doctors, teachers and academics make the most of this opportunity to expand their professional knowledge through English," said Evan Tracz, Project Co-ordinator for the OSCE Centre in Ashgabad. "The enthusiasm they all show for both learning English and reaching out to other cultures is truly impressive."

At today's ceremony, participants of the training course demonstrated their improved English language skills by performing poetry and dramatic skits dealing with professional situations.

The course began in May 2004 as a part of a project to strengthen the professionalism of employees working in Turkmenistan's research and educational institutions. Initially planned as a ten-month course, the language training was subsequently extended due to its success.

The OSCE Centre contributed computers and modern learning equipment to the training facilities, located in the national Supreme Council for Science and Technology.

To further promote general education, and computer and language skills in Turkmenistan, the TACIS Programme and the OSCE Centre plan to extend the project into 2006.