Tajikistan is deepening its educational cooperation with the United Kingdom through a new agreement between the Ministry of Education and Science and British digital learning firm Really English. The partnership aims to roll out English language and digital education programs across Tajikistan’s universities.
First Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Homid Khoshimzoda, held talks in Dushanbe with Nigel Killick, head of Really English, to define the cooperation framework.
The two sides explored ways to broaden English instruction, adopt modern pedagogical methods, and deploy innovative digital learning tools. Khoshimzoda welcomed the British initiative, saying that English proficiency remains a top priority in Tajikistan’s educational policy as it broadens students’ access to global academic and professional opportunities.
Killick thanked the ministry for its support and affirmed Really English’s commitment to designing interactive English courses, boosting teacher training, and building university partnerships in Tajikistan.
Founded in London in 1999, Really English creates digital tools for learning English—from foundational courses to test preparation. The company works with more than 1,000 corporate clients and over 300 educational institutions worldwide, offering academic, business, and conversational English courses, as well as tailored university programs.
Advancing Tajik-British Educational Cooperation
The agreement marks another milestone in Tajikistan’s broader push to internationalize its education system. In recent years, Dushanbe has actively built academic partnerships with British institutions.
On May 31, representatives of the State Agency “Center for International Programs” met with officials from the University of Greenwich to discuss Tajik students’ access to international programs, scholarships, and internships, particularly in economics, finance, and management.
British university representatives reaffirmed their support for joint initiatives and expressed readiness to expand academic exchanges and scholarship offerings for Tajik students.
British Support for Innovation and Teacher Development
The UK has increased its educational engagement across Central Asia in recent years. In 2022, the British Council resumed operations in Tajikistan with a focus on improving teacher training and English language instruction.
Joint initiatives with the Ministry of Education and Science have helped modernize curricula and expand STEM and digital education. With UK support, robotics and programming courses have been introduced for schoolchildren, and Tajik universities, including the Tajik National University (TNU), have launched partnerships with British institutions such as the University of Central Lancashire.
The UK is also strengthening educational cooperation in other Central Asian states. In Turkmenistan, British experts are working on teacher training and curriculum development, and Chevening Scholarships continue to be available to Turkmen students. In May 2025, Turkmenistan participated in the World Education Forum in London, where global education trends were discussed.
