The partnership hopes to encourage more Mongolians to pursue higher education in the US through increased scholarships and additional training for English language teachers. This is a key development in a partnership that contributes over $2 million annually to education and exchange programs in Mongolia.
The strategic alliance between the United States and Mongolia as “third neighbors” is poised to expand significantly, with a notable emphasis on educational endeavors.
This forward-looking initiative emerged from discussions between Vice President Kamala Harris and Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai during their meeting on Aug. 2. The development builds upon the robust bilateral relations established through the two nations’ Strategic Partnership declaration in 2019.
Education stands as a cornerstone of the deepened ties, as both countries underscore their dedication to expanding educational cooperation. The United States already allocates more than $2 million annually towards educational and exchange initiatives in Mongolia. The new joint efforts include a 50 percent expansion of the English Teaching Assistants program in Mongolia, an increase in government-funded scholarships, growth in the Fulbright binational partnership, and the enhancement of English language teacher training.
A significant stride in this collaborative endeavor involves the announcement of a new American Space in Erdenet. This space is intended to bolster access to English language education and raise awareness of study and exchange opportunities in the United States. Complementing Mongolia’s ongoing commitment to elevate English to the primary foreign language taught in secondary schools, the American Space seeks to fortify Mongolia’s Third Neighbor connections with the United States.
Furthermore, the United States and Mongolia intend to leverage the benefits of digital transformation and information and communication technologies within the education sector. They have unveiled private upskilling programs tailored for information and communications technology educators. These programs will enhance technical skills such as cybersecurity and data analytics.
Recognizing the ongoing contributions of entities like the U.S. Peace Corps, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Defense Language Institute, both nations commend the sustained efforts to expand English language training programs. These endeavors epitomize the joint commitment of both countries to solidify people-to-people bonds, substantiated by their substantial economic and commercial contributions to both the United States and Mongolia.
The broadened partnership seeks to foster heightened prosperity and security for the citizens of both countries. The United States and Mongolia reaffirm their shared commitment to fundamental principles such as good governance, sovereignty, the rule of law, and human rights.
With a shared focus on these principles and mutual interests, the expanded strategic Third Neighbor partnership anticipates ushering in a fresh era of bilateral relations.
