On 2 October 2026, the inaugural ceremony of the final round of the International Competition “Know a Language – Know the World” was held at the Tajik International University of Foreign Languages named after Sotim Ulugzoda. The competition, organised for students of higher education institutions of the Republic of Tajikistan and foreign countries, is being held for the Rector’s Cup of the Tajik International University of Foreign Languages named after Sotim Ulugzoda.
The official ceremony was attended by Saidullo Quvvatzoda, Head of the Education and Science Division of the Department of Education, Culture and Information of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan; Professor Zilolo Gulnazoda, Rector of the Tajik International University of Foreign Languages named after Sotim Ulugzoda; Lutfia Abdulkholiqzoda, Director of the National Library of Tajikistan; Habibullo Ismoiliyon, Deputy Head of the Department of Strategic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan; Hikmatullo Saidzoda, Head of the Department of Higher and Postgraduate Professional Education of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan; and Shabnam Duvurova, an officer of the International Relations Division of the Committee for Youth and Sports Affairs under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
In her welcoming remarks, Professor Zilolo Gulnazoda, Rector of the Tajik International University of Foreign Languages named after Sotim Ulugzoda, underscored the significant state support and initiatives of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, in advancing education and science. She emphasised that the International Competition “Know a Language – Know the World” is being organised in furtherance of the Leader of the Nation’s initiatives to promote foreign-language education and encourage young people to acquire proficiency in foreign languages.
It was highlighted that the competition is being held for the third consecutive year, having developed into a significant academic and educational initiative. Of particular importance, this year marks the first time that the competition has attained an international dimension, with participants competing in 12 languages.
Addressing the ceremony, Saidullo Quvvatzoda, Head of the Education and Science Division of the Department of Education, Culture and Information of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, highlighted the wide-ranging initiatives and measures undertaken by the Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, to promote foreign-language learning, advance the implementation of national educational programmes, and support young people throughout the period of national independence. He commended the initiative of the administration of the Tajik International University of Foreign Languages named after Sotim Ulugzoda to organise the international competition, describing it as a timely and significant contribution to the development of foreign-language education.
Lutfia Abdulkholiqzoda, Director of the National Library of the Republic of Tajikistan, welcomed the organisation of the International Competition “Know a Language – Know the World” and emphasised the importance of encouraging young people to study foreign languages, broaden their knowledge of contemporary developments, strengthen their sense of national identity and patriotism, appreciate the achievements of the period of national independence, and uphold national interests.
In their respective addresses, Habibullo Ismoiliyon, Deputy Head of the Department of Strategic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan; Hikmatullo Saidzoda, Head of the Department of Higher and Postgraduate Professional Education of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan; and Shabnam Duvurova, an officer of the International Relations Division of the Committee for Youth and Sports Affairs under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, expressed their appreciation for this important and timely initiative and commended the organisation and progress of the International Competition “Know a Language – Know the World”. They extended their best wishes to all participants for successful and distinguished performance in the competition.
The competition is being conducted across 12 language categories: Tajik, Russian, English, Chinese, German, French, Korean, Japanese, Persian, Arabic, Hindi, and Uzbek.
A total of 126 students representing 21 higher education institutions of the Republic of Tajikistan and 5 higher education institutions from foreign countries are taking part in the competition.
Further coverage of the competition, including detailed information on its proceedings and outcomes, will be published in due course.
