Science in Turkmenistan is developing within the framework of the long-term state modernization program and the “Digital Turkmenistan” initiative aimed at transitioning to an innovation-driven economy. A key role is played by the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, which modernizes research institutes and advances priority areas such as energy, chemistry, biotechnology, digital technologies, and agriculture. Despite an increase in R&D expenditure to 0.14% of GDP in 2022, limited international integration and the need for updated infrastructure remain major challenges.
Overview: The system of science in Turkmenistan
| Territory: | 488 100 км² |
|---|---|
| Population | 7.50 million |
| Capital | Ashgabat |
| Languages | Turkmen, Russian |
| GDP | §64.69 billion |
| Research priorities | Energy sector (gas, diversification to renewables) Water management and desert-ecosystem sustainability Sustainable agricultural practices Socio-economic development and regional cooperation |
| Turkmenistan develops its science sector within the framework of its long-term national modernization agenda, aimed at transitioning to an innovation-driven economy and strengthening scientific and technological capacity. The key policy documents include the National Program for the Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan until 2052 https://turkmenistan.gov.tm/en (official government portal — policy section) and the State Program “Digital Turkmenistan”, which guides digital transformation across all sectors. https://digital.gov.tm Science is viewed as an essential element of technological progress, productivity growth, and the training of highly qualified specialists. Priority areas for scientific development include:
Turkmenistan’s policy emphasizes training young researchers, expanding international cooperation, and engaging with UN, UNESCO, and EU programs, while promoting innovation in key sectors such as energy, gas-chemical industries, agriculture, water management, and healthcare. -UNESCO country profile: https://www.unesco.org/en/countries/turkmenistan -UN country page: https://turkmenistan.un.org Despite progress, the country faces challenges such as limited international exchange, the need for modern research equipment, and further expansion of scientific infrastructure. Nevertheless, the state positions science as a key driver of technological progress and sustainable development. Research and development expenditure, percent of GDP Research and development expenditure in Turkmenistan in 2022 was amounted to 0.14% of GDP. In 2021, the value was 0.10%. This is the first year of growth after a decline. Since 2015, for the whole period of data from UNESCO, this indicator has increased in 1.27 times. The lowest Gross domestic expenditure on R&D was recorded in 2018, with a value of 0.08% of GDP. The maximum research and development expenditure percent of GDP of Turkmenistan was in 2016, when it reached 0.16(figure 11).https://statbase.org | |
Key authorities:
Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan (ANT)
The Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan is the country’s highest scientific institution, responsible for coordinating fundamental and applied research. It includes research institutes in natural sciences, engineering, chemistry, agriculture, and social sciences, and supports national innovation and scientific expertise. http://science.gov.tm (Academy portal)(figure 12)
Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan
The Ministry of Education is the national authority overseeing the country’s education system, including schools, vocational institutions, and higher education. It develops state educational policies, standards, curriculum reforms, and supervises universities and teacher training.https://education.gov.tm
The Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan – is an organization that implements a unified state scientific and technical policy in the country, contributing to the accelerated development and systematic implementation of state programs of scientific and technological progress.
The main tasks of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan are:
- ensuring the implementation of the state scientific and technical policy;
- forecasting the development of science, technology and technologies, identifying priority areas for their development;
- improving the efficiency of research and development activities, introducing scientific achievements into production and coordinating scientific and technical programs;
- organization, conduct and search for sources of funding for fundamental and applied scientific research, development and technological developments to meet the needs of various sectors of the economy;
- training of highly qualified specialists;
- development of international cooperation in the field of science and technology.
The higher education system of Turkmenistan includes 23 recognized higher education institutions, of which 18 are civil and 5 are military or law enforcement institutions https://www.unirank.org/tm/
Education is based on a traditional centralized model adapted to internal standards. All universities – public and private-are absent, and academic mobility and international cooperation are strictly regulated.
Leading Universities of Turkmenistan
- Magtymguly Turkmen State University (Magtymguly Turkmen State University)-the oldest and largest classical university in the country, included in the world university rankings (RUR, uniRank) Teaches a wide range of humanities and natural sciences.https://tsu.edu.tm(figure 3).
- Mirat Garryyev Turkmen State Medical University is the country’s leading medical university, founded in 1931; the only medical university with more than 3,000 students.https://timmu.edu.tm
- Yagshigeldy Kakaev International Oil and Gas UniversityFounded as the Institute of Oil and Gas in 2012, since 2013 it has the status of an international university, named after Yagshigelda Kakaev.Strong areas: Oil and gas engineering, geology, chemical engineering, IT and Management.https://iogu.edu.tm/en
- Oguz Han University of Engineering Technologies- a modern technical university, tops the AD Scientific Index ranking in Turkmenistan among technical universities. He trains engineers in modern technologies and infrastructure engineering.https://oguzhan.edu.tm
- Institute of Telecommunications and Informatics of Turkmenistan – a leader in the field of information technology and telecommunications, ranks first in terms of research activity in the country.https://itit.edu.tm
- The Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Construction trains specialists in the field of architecture, infrastructure design and construction.https://tdsiab.edu.tm
- Turkmen State Institute of Economics and Management Center for Economic and managerial Education, actively participates in international educational projects, developed a large sports and cultural complex on the campus. https://tsiem.edu.tm
- Turkmen Agricultural University named after S. A. Niyazov (TOHU) is the largest agricultural university in the country, founded in 1930, focusing on agricultural technologies, agrobiotechnology and resource management Trains experts in agronomy, hydro-reclamation, veterinary medicine and agroeconomics.https://tohu.edu.tm