On 23 September 2026, a round-table discussion entitled “Quality Assurance as a Gateway to Transnational Education, Internationalisation and Skills Development” was held at Tajik National University.
The event was attended by H.E. Homid Hasan Hashimzoda, First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan; Professor Zilolo Gulnazoda, Rector of the Tajik International University of Foreign Languages named after Sotim Ulugzoda; Lord John Alderdice, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Azerbaijan and Central Asia; and Ms Catherine Smithton, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Tajikistan.
The discussions focused on key issues relating to quality assurance, strengthening international trust, developing joint programmes and transnational education, enhancing curricula, promoting the professional development of teachers, improving graduate employability, and integrating educational technologies into teaching and learning.
As part of the round-table programme, Professor Zilolo Gulnazoda, Rector of the University, delivered an address accompanied by a presentation outlining the University’s achievements in English language education and its cooperation with British partners. Particular emphasis was placed on the University’s participation in the AELLCA programme; cooperation with the Universities of Greenwich and Westminster; progress towards establishing a Linguaskill Test Centre in collaboration with Cambridge University Press & Assessment; and the pilot implementation of the Efekta Education platform. These initiatives were highlighted as significant milestones in the University’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of English language education and expand international academic cooperation.
Furthermore, the Rector put forward a proposal to establish a comprehensive framework for Tajikistan–United Kingdom cooperation in English language education, aimed at fostering sustainable partnerships and advancing educational collaboration between the two countries.
The University’s participation in the round-table discussion provided a valuable opportunity to showcase its institutional capacity, strengthen direct engagement with British partners, and identify prospective areas for further cooperation. The event also laid a constructive foundation for advancing international partnerships and exploring new avenues of collaboration between Tajikistan and the United Kingdom in higher education.
