A delegation from Turkmenistan concluded a working visit to Nice, France, from June 17 to 20, where they actively participated in the 11th UI GreenMetric International Conference on World University Rankings (IWGM 2025). The University of Indonesia and the University of Côte d’Azur jointly hosted the prestigious conference.
The conference served as a significant platform, bringing together heads of universities, prominent scientists, professors, associate professors, and educators from various countries to discuss sustainable development initiatives. The opening ceremony and subsequent sessions were held at the historic Château de Valrose, a notable building of the University of Côte d’Azur, and the Côte d’Azur Observatory, one of the world’s pioneering large observatories.
The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks and insightful speeches from world-renowned academics. The distinguished speakers are Emily Sott, Coordinator of the Nature Positive Universities Initiative at the University of Oxford, who highlighted the crucial role of universities in biodiversity conservation. Professor Jeannick Briswalter, Rector of the University of Côte d’Azur, who emphasized the importance of international academic cooperation for sustainability. Professor Riri Fitri Sari, who stressed the integration of sustainability indicators into university governance systems.
The Turkmen delegation included Serdar Gedayev, a lecturer from the Department of Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology at the Oguz Khan University of Engineering and Technology of Turkmenistan. He was joined by Begench Yovbagshiyev, Head of the Academic Department at the S.A. Niyazov Turkmen Agricultural University, and Kadyr Amanov, a lecturer and student from the Department of General Chemistry at the same university.
The conference, titled “Implementing Sustainable Development Goals in Universities: The History of Our Society and Organization,” provided a comprehensive forum to discuss the pivotal role of universities in achieving sustainable development goals. Over the four-day event, participants were introduced to innovative approaches in critical areas such as energy efficiency, environmental education, natural resource management, and the establishment of sustainable university campuses.
A key highlight of the conference was the signing ceremony of the Declaration by newly admitted members of the UI GreenMetric system. The participation of Turkmenistan’s higher education representatives in this international gathering offered a valuable opportunity to showcase the achievements of Turkmen universities on the global stage. It also facilitated the exchange of knowledge and experience with academic leaders from countries including Brazil, France, Germany, and Indonesia.
Furthermore, representatives from Turkmenistan’s higher education institutions presented their projects focused on alternative energy sources and solid waste management – initiatives of paramount importance for sustainable development and ecological well-being. This engagement is expected to significantly contribute to ongoing work within Turkmenistan’s scientific and educational sectors and is poised to further expand the country’s international cooperation efforts.
