2006 Press Releases
U.S Embassy Convenes Second National Fulbright Conference
March 17, 2006
"An Interdisciplinary Approach to U.S. Studies"
The U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat opened the second annual Fulbright Conference in Turkmenistan, "An Interdisciplinary Approach to U.S. Studies" at the Ak Altyn Hotel in Ashgabat. About 120 scholars, representatives of community organizations and educational institutions, and alumni of the Fulbright Program and other U.S. Government-sponsored academic and professional exchange programs will participate over the two days of the Conference. Conference speakers include four specialists from the United States: Criminal Justice specialist Dr. Erica Beecher Monas, current Fulbright scholar Dr. Robert Fahs, Public Affairs professor Dr. Gregory Gleason and geographer Dr. Reuel Hanks. Turkmenistan Fulbright alumni and specialists will also share their research at the Conference, which includes focused sessions on international law, study in the United States in the fields of economy, history, geography and English.
The Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship program for international educational exchange, was founded in 1945 by Senator William J. Fulbright of Arkansas. In the aftermath of World War II, Senator Fulbright envisioned the Fulbright program as a vehicle for promoting “mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries.” 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.
The Fulbright Program has been active in Turkmenistan for the last 13 years and 25 Turkmen participants have had the Fulbright experience.
For more information about the first Fulbright Conference in Turkmenistan, in 2005, and for general information on the Fulbright Program please visit http://turkmenistan.usembassy.gov/fulbright.
