Faculty of European Languages

From the History of the Faculty of European Languages

With the development of Tajikistan’s relations with other countries of the world, particularly after gaining state independence, the need arose to train highly qualified specialists in linguistics, translation, and teaching. The International University of Foreign Languages of Tajikistan named after Sotim Ulugzoda is one of the leading higher education institutions in this field in the country. Since its establishment, the university (initially the Pedagogical Institute of Russian Language and Literature (1979), subsequently the State Institute of Languages of Tajikistan (1992), and, from 2009, the State Institute of Languages of Tajikistan named after Sotim Ulugzoda) has made a significant contribution to training specialists who meet labour market requirements and the demands of the modern world.

One of the university’s largest faculties was the Faculty of Romance and Germanic Languages, where students studied English, German, and French as part of translation and teaching programmes. Growing interest among young people in these languages created a need to establish separate faculties. At the proposal of the university administration, the Faculty of English Language and the Faculty of European Languages were established on 1 September 2019 on the basis of the Faculty of Romance and Germanic Languages.

Following its establishment, the range of language programmes and specialisations expanded significantly. Currently, the Faculty of European Languages offers eight bachelor’s degree specialisations:

• French Language and Regional Studies;

• German Language and Regional Studies;

• French Language and English Language;

• German Language and English Language;

• Italian Language and English Language (Teacher);

• Italian Language and English Language (Translator);

• Spanish Language and English Language (Teacher);

• German Language (Teacher).

Instruction is provided in seven languages: the state language (Tajik), Russian, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and English. At the master’s level, programmes include German Language and Regional Studies, with a qualification as a German-language translator and regional studies specialist, and German Language and English Language (Teacher). The educational process is supported by professors, associate professors, senior lecturers, and experienced teaching assistants working in the country’s education and research sectors.

Since the faculty was established in 2019, it has been headed by Karimov Amonullo Fayzulloevich, Candidate of Philological Sciences. The current dean is Halimova Mahbuba Safaralievna, Candidate of Philological Sciences and Associate Professor, who is one of the university’s leading specialists in German language studies.

The faculty’s structure comprises the Dean’s Office, the Faculty Scholars’ Council, the Faculty Scientific and Methodological Council, the Council of Curators, the Council of Women and Girls, the youth organisation, the operating departments, and the Centre for the Development of German and French Languages.

The faculty’s first graduating class completed its studies in 2020, with 48 graduates. In 2021, 64 students graduated; in 2022, 71; in 2023, 61; in 2024, 75; and in 2025, 37. Graduates work in various governmental and non-governmental institutions and organisations. Some continue their studies at the master’s and doctoral levels both in Tajikistan and abroad. Currently, the faculty has 576 students enrolled in 28 academic groups.

The faculty has a Scholars’ Council and a Scientific and Methodological Council, which consider and discuss current issues relating to education, student development, and research. The Scholars’ Council meets once a month, while the Scientific and Methodological Council meets once every two months. Following these meetings, minutes, information reports, summaries, and other documents are prepared and kept in a separate folder.

In addition to other matters, faculty meetings review and analyse the allocation of teaching workloads and the extent to which those workloads are being fulfilled.