IATP: Internet Access and Training Program in Tajikistan

News and Events - Archive

May 12

IATP Has Winning Formula for Winning Grants in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

On May 12, IATP Access Site Administrator Shavkat Kasyimov conducted a seminar for four employees of the NGO Navruz on how to use the Internet as a grant-writing resource at the IATP public access site in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Navruz, which itself relies on grant support, and also helps other NGOs win grants, sought to learn more about where grants can be found and how to write a winning proposal. The NGO's mission is to serve the needs of other NGOs and promote NGO growth by providing financial assistance, humanitarian aid, and educational programs to target groups which include impoverished families, orphans, and the physically challenged. During the training, the participants searched the Internet to find counterparts in other countries (http://win.cango.net.kg/) with which they can exchange information. The NGO employees were surprised by the impressive quantity and quality of online information on grants and writing solid grant proposals on http://www.abroad.ru/ref_theme/grant_zaiavka.htm and http://society.pravda.ru/society/2003/8/27/82/9968_grant.html. The training participants compiled the most useful information found on the Internet into one comprehensiv

May 7

Kidlink Representative Conducts Training for Students in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

On May 7, Kidlink community member Dilnoza Mulodjanova conducted a seminar on Kidlink opportunities, e-mail, and writing for a group of high school students at the IATP access site in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Nine secondary school students attended the seminar, which was found to be extremely helpful for students who were eager to meet new friends abroad and practice their English. As one of participants Nozanin Rasulova said, "Now I can communicate with my new friends who are so far away from where I live!" Kidlink (www.kidlink.org) is an international organization that provides opportunities for children to collaborate in a supportive online educational environment.

May 1

IATP Assists in Establishing Educational Partnership between Tajikistani and Swedish Institutions in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

With the help of IATP, Tajik Agrarian University established contact with the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and received an invitation to launch a partnership relations between the two institutions. During April and the beginning of May, Professor Zamira Kadirova acquired basic computer and Internet skills at IATP that enabled her to search for international partners. The proposed bilateral partnership will include student exchanges, implementation of joint projects, and organization of educational conferences. According to the agreement, up to two students of Tajik Agrarian University will spend two years at Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and receive their Master's degrees in Land Management. Zaminra commented, "I am so grateful to IATP for teaching me to work with a computer and the Internet! This is an excellent program and it must be expanded."

April 26

IATP and IFES Host Cultural Discussion for Alumni and Students in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

On April 26, IATP and International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) co-sponsored a meeting of ECA alumni and English-speaking university students in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. They discussed cultural differences between the people of Tajikistan and the United States with the guests from the Slavonic University, Tajik State University, Tajik State Medical University, Tajik State Technical University, and the University of Technology. Alumni Dmitriy Frolov (FLEX 02), Timur Rakhimov (FLEX 02), and Shukhrat Rakhimov (FLEX 01), related to the group how their exchange experience has shaped their cultural openness. They focused their presentation on the differences between Tajik and American students. This prompted a discussion on the various stereotypes that arise from the American movies that are shown in Eurasia. At the beginning of their presentation, the alumni had conducted an informal survey, asking participants whether they would like to study in the US, and 18 students out of 74 answered in the affirmative. At the end of the meeting, alumni asked the same question again, and this time, 44 students out of 74 expressed interest in studying in the United States.

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