Thanks to the CIAT (Capacity Improvement & Advancement for Tomorrow) scholarship program of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), several civil servants from Tajikistan have earned degrees at universities in South Korea, says press release issued by KOICA. They shared their achievements and experiences at a seminar held on May 28 at the Rumi Hotel in Dushanbe.
Over the past three years, KOICA has made a significant contribution to the development of various sectors in Tajikistan — from industry to energy, said Kang Sung Hon, KOICA’s country director, during his speech.
The event focused on KOICA’s support in education through its scholarship program. Civil servants participating in the program obtained master’s degrees in various specialties. In addition to acquiring new knowledge, they experienced South Korean culture, attended important events, and visited local landmarks.
The main goal of the seminar was to exchange practical knowledge and learning outcomes from KOICA, as well as to strengthen partnerships between KOICA alumni and local stakeholders.
International forums, AI, and Korean culture
Ilhomboy Madiyev, an employee of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Agriculture, earned a master’s degree in Climate Change Capacity Building from Incheon National University. He noted that, along with other international students, they studied global network expansion in international cooperation projects, climate change policy management and development, among other topics.
During his studies, Madiyev successfully presented research on “The Impact of Extreme Weather Conditions on Apricot Yields in Tajikistan’s Sughd Province.” He also participated in World Environment Day celebrations, an international symposium on climate change adaptation, and the 8th Asia-Pacific Cities Forum.
“Each of these events broadened my knowledge in climate issues,” Madiyev emphasized.
At the same university, Zohir Nabiyev, senior specialist in the Water Resources Department of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, completed his studies. He developed a project analyzing the impact of climate variability on the hydrological regime of the Vakhsh River basin. Nabiyev plans to apply his knowledge to water resource policy development in Tajikistan and promote sustainable water management in Central Asia.
Additionally, he intends to apply for a KOICA scholarship to pursue a PhD program in South Korea.
Firuzi Mahmadjonov, another employee of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, earned a master’s degree in Digital Innovation from Hanyang University — a private research university that hosts students from 16 countries.
At Hanyang, Firuzi researched the impact of smart meters on energy savings in residential buildings. He shared his findings and recommendations, including integrating smart meters with additional technologies, educational programs to raise awareness of their benefits, and addressing cybersecurity challenges.
Farrukh Murodov from the Ministry of Finance obtained a master’s degree in Capacity Building for the Sustainable Development Goals (Asia) from Seoul National University. His research focused on the impact of public investments on the economic development of regional countries. His work covered not only Tajikistan but also Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
All participants expressed gratitude to KOICA not only for the opportunity to gain new knowledge but also for the chance to immerse themselves in South Korean culture and experience the local cuisine.
