President of Tajikistan Welcomes ISTC's Support for Tajik Science 

On 9 April, senior representatives of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) met with the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon. The event marked the 45th ISTC Governing Board meeting, which was held for the first time in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe. ISTC Governing Board Members from Canada, the European Commission, Japan, Russia, and the United States, as well as the Uinted states Ambassador to Tajikistan, Ms Tracey Ann Jacobson were invited to the presidential palace for the meeting.

President Rahmon, welcoming ISTC’s work in Tajikistan, noted the Center's role in developing peaceful scientific projects and initiatives to further international cooperation with the Republic. “Thanks to the ISTC, about 300 Tajik scientists and experts started working on research projects and acquired new knowledge and skills, thus improved the living conditions for their families.”

ISTC’s focus on the commercialization of results and long-term sustainability for scientists was also emphasized by the President as creating an important milestone in the country’s continued economic growth and independence. The President also commented on the opening of ISTC's new scientific and business Resource Center which is located adjacent to the ISTC Branch Office in the National Academy of Sciences building in Dushanbe: “The new Resource Center, which will offer various courses and workshops, shall provide business skills to our scientists". 

The ISTC now has 30 completed or on-going projects in the Republic, with a total investment of $6 million. Tajikistan formally joined the ISTC in 2003, and opened the branch office in September 2005. The ISTC Resource Center was inaugurated on 9 April 2008 in collaboration with the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan.