The Division of Understanding Korea Project of the Center for International Affairs at the Academy of Korean Studies conducted the "The AKS Program for Educators in Central Asia " from November 18 to November 25, 2024, lasting 6 nights and 8 days in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The delegation was led by Director Koo Nan-hee (Center for International Affairs) and included Director Lee Dae-hwa (Division of Understanding Korea Project), Senior Expert Jang Ki-hong (Division of Understanding Korea Project), Chief Senior Expert Kim Ri-hee (Division of Understanding Korea Project), Senior Expert Jang Hye-jin (Division of Understanding Korea Project) and Researcher Kim Hye-sook (Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation).

The first day of the two-day Central Asia Regional Educational Cooperation Program held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, featured a textbook seminar on the theme of "Textbook Compilation Systems in Central Asia and Education in Korea." In addition to Ambassador Jeon Seong-sik (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Tajikistan) and other embassy officials, the following speakers from four Central Asian countries addressed the seminar: ▲ HAKIMOV Nurhayot (Head of the Social Sciences Department at the National Education Institute under the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan), ▲ FEDORKO Victor (Geography teacher at School No. 233 under the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan), ▲ Professor KUSSAINOVA Meiramgul (Professor at the Kazakh-Turkish Department, Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan), ▲ Senior Lecturer SHAKIROVA Nurzhanat (Department of Natural Sciences and Geography, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University), ▲ Associate Professor DZHUNUSHALIEVA Kalyibubu (Institute for Advanced Studies and Retraining, Kyrgyz National University), ▲ Director IMANKULOV Muratbek (Institute for Humanities and Social Studies, Kyrgyz Education Academy), ▲ Director ISOZODA Komilshyo (Textbook Compilation Committee under the Ministry of Education and Science of Republic of Tajikistan), ▲ Director NAVRUZI Jumamurod (Textbook Publishing Distribution Center under the Ministry of Education and Science of Republic of Tajikistan), ▲ Senior Specialist Rahmonzoda Fariddun (Textbook Publishing Development Center under the Ministry of Education and Science of Republic of Tajikistan). Additionally, about 40 others, including textbook authors and associates from local Korean studies departments, also attended.

Following the opening remarks by Ambassador Jeon Seong-sik, Director Koo Nan-hee (Center for International Affairs of the AKS) delivered a welcoming speech highlighting the founding philosophy of the institute, the objectives, and the achievements of the Division of Understanding Korea Project, encouraging constructive discussions on the development of education and textbook production in Central Asia.

The seminar, divided into history and geography sections, included presentations on the textbook compilation systems of each country, the inclusion of content about Korea, and shared information on the current state of education in Korea. Particularly noteworthy was the presentation of Professor Kussainova (Al-Farabi Kazakh National University) on 'Forced Migration of Koreans to Kazakhstan,' which garnered significant interest. It provided poignant insights into the struggles of Korean forced migrants in Central Asia, especially through interviews and photos of those residing locally.

The following day featured lectures on Korea's education, its economic development, and democratic progress. Researcher Kim Hye-sook from the Korea Institute of Curriculum and Evaluation outlined the 2022 revisions to the Korean education system. Researcher Jeong Min-hyun from the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy discussed the correlations between Korea's economic development and democracy, the relationship between economic progress and education, and the foreign trade relations between Central Asia and Korea. These lectures were held online and fostered discussions on the role of democracy within Central Asia's economic landscape.

After the seminar and lectures, the delegation visited several institutions in Tajikistan, including the Tajik National University, the Tajik International University of Foreign Languages, Ministry of Education and Science of Republic of Tajikistan, the Textbook Publishing Distribution Center under the Ministry of Education and Science of Republic of Tajikistan, Lyceum №2 for Gifted Students, the Korean Education Center in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Kimyo International University. These visits were aimed at introducing the Korean Studies support projects of the Academy of Korean Studies and discussing ways to expand the foundation of Korean Studies in Tajikistan.