Prof. Lalit Aggarwal, Vice-President, MERI Group of Institutions, and Prof. (Dr.) Ramakant Dwivedi, Head of MERI Center for International Studies (CIS), met His Excellency Mr. Shalar Geldynazarov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to India, in New Delhi on January 13, 2025. The meeting focused on strengthening educational ties and fostering collaborations between the MERI Group, the India Central Asia Foundation (ICAF), and Turkmenistan's educational institutions.

Prof. Dwivedi emphasized the vital role of Information Technology (IT) in today's world and detailed MERI Group's industry-oriented curriculum. The Group's IT programs specialize in advanced fields such as Cybersecurity, Data Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Software Engineering. These programs aim to produce professionals equipped to tackle evolving global challenges, ranging from safeguarding digital ecosystems to developing intelligent systems and predictive models.

Discussions also included the status of the Joint Study between ICAF, New Delhi, and Turkmenistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This study, focusing on India-Turkmenistan relations, aims to enhance bilateral, regional, and international engagement in economic, scientific, technological, and cultural domains. The study's findings will benefit students pursuing Indian studies in Turkmenistan or Turkmen studies in India by offering insights into both nations' perspectives and policy options for stronger partnerships.

Prof. Aggarwal highlighted MERI CIS's global outreach, emphasizing its contributions to International Relations, Business, and Economic Studies. The Center collaborates with distinguished global institutions and scholars to advance understanding of international affairs through innovative and interdisciplinary approaches.

Ambassador Geldynazarov commended ICAF and MERI Group for their initiatives to strengthen India-Turkmenistan ties in education. He expressed optimism about future cooperation and acknowledged the value of the Joint Study in promoting mutual understanding.

The meeting concluded with Prof. Aggarwal presenting a bouquet and a shawl to Ambassador Geldynazarov on behalf of MERI Group, symbolizing a commitment to deepening educational collaboration. Both sides reaffirmed their dedication to advancing educational ties and cultural exchange between the two nations.