Tajikistan Ambassador Hopes To Increase Collaborations With UNO

Farhod Salim, Tajikistan ambassador to the United States, recently visited the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) as a keynote speaker during CASA Week.

Salim sat down with University Communications to discuss UNO’s role in Central Asia, his relationship with Center of Afghanistan Studies director Sher Jan Ahmadzai, and how he hopes UNO and Tajikistan can collaborate more in the future.

Q: What brought you to UNO?

A: With Sher Jan, we have had other ambassadors from the region who have been here. The ambassador from Afghanistan, for example, is a very good friend of mine and he has been here. And also I knew about the Center for Afghanistan Studies. So when I got the invitation last year I was eager to come and participate in what the Center is doing, not just for Afghanistan, but for the entire region.

Q: After visiting, what is your impression of UNO and the Center for Afghanistan Studies?

A: We should give credit to Sher Jan, they are doing tremendous work. It is important to note that they are not just focusing on Afghanistan. Tajikistan has the longest border with Afghanistan; it’s over 900 miles long. The issue of Afghanistan is a very important one, so the research and the papers that they are doing here is very helpful for us. 

Q: What role can the Center for Afghanistan Studies play in strengthening relationships between the U.S. and Central Asian countries?

A: I had an opportunity to see the center and see what they are working on, the experts they are bringing in, and their overall approach. Sher Jan also wrote a book about the water issues in the region, and that is very important. Tajikistan is the upstream country and we have more hydropower resources that we can share with the right cooperation. I believe the university is very lucky to have (Sher Jan). His vision is very important. These people at UNO are change makers. Not only for Afghanistan, but for the entire region. I am very lucky to know him and I look forward to working with him in the future.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish on visit?

A: We’re taking so many notes while we're here. The University of Nebraska at Omaha is known in Tajikistan. We have so many Tajik students here. It’s a very famous university and we respect and admire the work that is being done to educate people in the region. What I will take back, I learned that there are American students who are interested in studying in Tajikistan and learning Tajik language and Persian language. So we are looking for more cooperation, we want more exchange students. It’s a very mutually beneficial cooperation, and we have so many business cards from departments all over campus. We hope we can help all of them.

Q: Do you have any other thoughts about your visit to UNO’s campus?

A: You have a very beautiful place. The weather was a bit challenging, but the university is a huge place with all these opportunities. We met a huge number of students from Southeast Asia, and the university is famous around the globe because of the approach they have, the programs they have, and the very wise approach of your leadership. All international students are welcome here. This is something that we have to take back and learn from.