On 4 January, 2021 Western Union closed their offices in Ashgabat. Those who wished to use their services were informed that operations might be resumed on 15 January, 2021.
However, on 15 January correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” reported that parents of study-abroad students who had been hoping to make money transfers via WU were informed that the system would not be operating until at least 25 January or possibly later.
Restrictions imposed on money transfers in Turkmenistan negatively affect the situation of Turkmen study-abroad students who have been left without any means of subsistence. Many will face expulsion from University for failure to pay tuition fees.
Winter exams are currently underway in Russian universities with many Turkmen students being disallowed from sitting exams because of non-payment of tuition fees.They were obliged to pay for the first semester in September but taking into account the pandemic, many educational establishments were flexible and allowed deferred payment until the end of the semester.
However, because of more restrictions imposed by Turkmenistan, money transfer operations, the majority of students have been unable to pay the tuition fees on time.They are now facing expulsion.
The students who correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” interviewed are indignant that “their fellow students from Central Asia countries, which are allegedly poorer, manage to pay tuition fees before the deadline whereas Turkmens constantly need to make excuses and look for money”.
Turkmen students who have tried to gain admission to Universities abroad are also desperate.
In 2019 those who sought enrollment in foreign higher educational establishments were limited by the Turkmen authorities.Turkmenistan’s Education Ministry compiled lists of universities whose diplomas would be acknowledged.
Only those following a course in these universities are allowed to receive money transfers from their parents in Turkmenistan at the official rate.
Because of the pandemic applicants failed to obtain a student visa from the Embassy of Russia whilst the Turkmen authorities imposed a travel ban. Entrance exams were held online, which created additional obstacles because of expensive, slow and unreliable Internet connection.
All those who managed to enroll are unable to leave the country and face problems of tuition fees.Those students who enrolled in the universities from the approved list could not make a bank transfer because of the ban on foreign currency conversion; whereas those admitted to other educational establishments, not included in the official list, were unable to make transfers.
Given these circumstances a group of students would like to make an appeal to the Russian authorities via the website “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” requesting the issuance of student visas for Turkmen nationals and organizing flights to Russia.
Students claim that they can pay tuition fees in cash through Russian banks but they need to leave Turkmenistan to do so.They also request a temporary moratorium on expelling students for failure to pay tuition fees.
The post Western Union offices in Ashgabat have not resumed operations.
Turkmen students face expulsion from universities first appeared on Chronicles of Turkmenistan.