By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Ahliddin Ibodullozoda, Rector of the Tajik State Pedagogical University named after Sadriddin Ayni and a representative of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan, held a meeting with Yang O-Bong, President of Jeonbuk National University of the Republic of Korea, on May 14, 2025 as part of a working visit to South Korea.

During the meeting, the parties discussed expanding cooperation in areas such as academic exchange of students and faculty, organizing joint conferences, inviting professors to deliver lectures, sharing scientific and technical experience in the training of highly qualified specialists, and promoting the study of foreign languages such as Korean and English.

They also discussed the establishment of joint faculties, implementation of dual-degree programs such as the 2+2 model, and exchange of experience among staff and instructors of both institutions.

It was noted that currently, 10 students from the Tajik State Pedagogical University named after S. Ayni are studying at Jeonbuk National University under an academic exchange program - a clear example of the growing partnership between the institutions.

The parties agreed to increase the number of exchange students to 30 at the undergraduate level and up to 20 at the master's and doctoral levels, aiming to further enhance the quality of education.

Furthermore, the leadership of the universities agreed to establish a Korean Language Learning Center at the Tajik State Pedagogical University named after S. Ayni at the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year to strengthen Korean language instruction.

It is noteworthy that the parties clarified key aspects of the academic exchange program and agreed that, going forward, exchange students will be fully exempt from dormitory fees, which previously amounted to 9,000 somoni.

In addition, high-achieving students will be eligible for merit-based scholarships from Jeonbuk National University, and all travel expenses will be fully covered.

The leadership of Jeonbuk National University welcomed the proposed initiatives and expressed their readiness to continue strengthening cooperation.

Jeonbuk National University is one of the ten national universities of Korea, founded in 1947 in the city of Jeonju, South Korea. The university operates 16 colleges, 14 faculties, 1 secondary school, 9 specialized schools, and 4 vocational institutes, with a total enrollment of around 22,000 students.

A cooperation agreement between the Tajik State Pedagogical University named after Sadriddin Ayni and Jeonbuk National University will be signed in the near future in coordination with the respective institutions.