2005 Press Releases

The First National Fulbright Conference on Interdisciplinary Study of America

March 17, 2005

On March 18-19, 2005, the Embassy of the United States of America hosts the first national Fulbright Conference on "Interdisciplinary Study of the United States" at Ak Altyn hotel. About 200 representatives of various educational establishments, scholars and former participants of the Fulbright Program are expected to participate.

The Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship program in international educational exchange, was proposed in 1945 by Senator William J. Fulbright of Arkansas. In the aftermath of World War II, Senator Fulbright viewed the proposed program as a much-needed vehicle for promoting "mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries of the world." His vision was approved by Congress and the program signed into law by President Truman in 1946.

Fulbright grants are made to U.S. citizens and nationals of other countries for a variety of educational activities, primarily university lecturing, advanced research, graduate study and teaching in elementary and secondary schools. Since the program's inception, more than 250,000 participants - chosen for their leadership potential - have had the opportunity to observe each other's political, economic and cultural institutions.

Of these participants, 42,200 have been overseas academics and professionals who have conducted research or taught in U.S. universities as Fulbright Visiting Scholars, and more than 40,100 U.S. faculty and professionals who have engaged in similar activities abroad.

The Fulbright Program has been active in Turkmenistan for the last twelve years and more than twenty Turkmen participants have had the Fulbright experience.