Turkmen Russian-Language Educators and Students Participate in International Educational Programs in Moscow
September 2026 has been a busy month in the international humanitarian sphere, with Moscow hosting several major projects aimed at supporting Russian-language teachers and talented youth. Representatives from Turkmenistan—ranging from school teachers to university students—are among the program participants.
On September 12, the Russian capital hosted the awards ceremony for the 26th International Pushkin Contest, organized by Rossiyskaya Gazeta and the Moscow Government. This year, the competition expanded its reach to 39 countries, attracting around 400 entries. Among the top 50 educators worldwide—announced on Russian Language Day—teachers from Turkmenistan, Ozoda Alaminova and Jennet Sultanova, received well-deserved recognition.
During their visit to Moscow in September, the award recipients enjoyed a packed schedule: professional workshops at the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute focusing on new teaching methods and student motivation, participation in a roundtable discussion on the status of the language, as well as tours of sites associated with Alexander Pushkin and evenings at the theater.
At the same time, the "Pushkin Camp" international language camp concluded its program at the Pushkin Institute. Out of 786 applicants from 28 countries, only 20 students from the CIS and Southeast Asia made it through an extremely rigorous selection process (with a ratio of approximately 40 candidates per spot). The finalists included a student from Magtymguly Turkmen State University and a Turkmen student studying at Universiti Teknologi Petronas (Malaysia).
For two weeks, participants engaged in cultural discussions, explored traditions, and visited the Tretyakov Gallery, the Museum of Cosmonautics, and the Tsaritsyno Estate. During the final presentations, students showcased their own creative projects, in which the Russian language served as a bridge between the cultures of different countries.
Humanitarian cooperation extends beyond in-person meetings. On September 7, a seven-week online professional development program launched for Russian language teachers from nine CIS countries. Participants are mastering digital educational technologies, teaching methods for multicultural classrooms, and even the application of artificial intelligence in pedagogy. Following an assessment, the top 10 participants will travel to Moscow in February 2027 for an in-person internship.
In addition, applications remain open until September 15, 2026, for the International Professional Skills Competition for foreign teachers of Russian. Finalists will gather at the Pushkin Institute from November 15 to 21, 2026, to undergo in-person evaluations and exchange experiences with colleagues from around the world.
