On December 29, 2024, an important event took place at the Institute of Economy and Trade of TSUC in Khujand, dedicated to the impact of the Erasmus+ program on the personal and professional lives of its participants. The event was attended by around 40 people, including Erasmus+ alumni, students, and faculty members from various universities in Khujand.

The event was officially opened by Dr. PhD Mohbonu Nakhatzoda, Coordinator of the National Erasmus+ Office in Tajikistan, who is also an Erasmus+ alumnus. In her opening speech, she emphasized the importance of the Erasmus+ program for fostering international connections and the exchange of knowledge. Dr. Nakhatzoda highlighted the significance of networking for expanding opportunities for both students and faculty members. She noted that establishing contacts between alumni and current participants helps strengthen international cooperation and boosts motivation for continued participation in Erasmus+.

She also suggested that the integration of alumni into social and professional networks should be enhanced, as this would not only improve support for new participants but also contribute to the further development of Erasmus+ in Tajikistan.
The next speaker was Mirpochoev Dalerjon Alijonovich, Deputy Director for Science and International Relations at the Institute of Economy and Trade of TSUC, and also an Erasmus+ alumnus. In his speech, he shared how the Erasmus+ program opened new horizons for him in both his professional career and personal life. He emphasized that despite the existing opportunities, we must take the initiative to promote the program ourselves and work on creating conditions for greater involvement of students and faculty in Erasmus+.

The event continued with presentations by Erasmus+ alumni and participants who shared their personal and professional stories before and after participating in the program:
• Makhrur Ahmedov
• Ismoilova Mutriba
• Zaripova Munavvar
• Boymatov Mahmudjon
• Mahmudjonov Khursand
• Ismatova Farzona
• Nilufar Okhunova
• Matlyuba Mamadshakhova
• Saydulloev Bakhovaddin
• Farrukhzoda Fakhriddin
• Firus Okhunov
• Saidkosim Mukhtorov, organizer of the Tajikistan Erasmus+ Alumni Association

Additionally, other participants also gave presentations. All the speeches were interesting and had a motivational character, inspiring attendees with their experiences and success stories.
Each speaker shared how participation in Erasmus+ had helped not only in professional development but also in personal growth, opening new perspectives and broadening horizons. They all described the program as a significant milestone in their careers, helping them improve communication skills, deepen their knowledge in various fields, and build connections with colleagues around the world.
At the end of the event, Dr. PhD Mohbona Nakhatzoda delivered the closing remarks, thanking all participants for their active involvement and also expressing gratitude to the leadership of the Institute of Economy and Trade of TSUC for organizing the event at such a high level. She emphasized the importance of continuing to work on expanding and strengthening the alumni network of Erasmus+ and highlighted the significance of maintaining ongoing connections between participants to advance the educational and scientific fields.

After the official part of the event, there was an informal segment, where participants were invited to a lunch, accompanied by live music. This provided an opportunity for attendees to discuss informal matters, exchange ideas, and strengthen professional ties.
Outcomes and Future Plans
The event proved to be an excellent platform for exchanging experiences and ideas among Erasmus+ alumni, faculty members, and students. During the discussions, it was decided that such events would be held more frequently in the future to more effectively achieve the program’s goals in Tajikistan. This would not only improve collaboration between participants but also create new opportunities for professional growth and development for young people within the Erasmus+ framework.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Everyone expressed a willingness to continue actively promoting Erasmus+ in Tajikistan and participating in similar events in the future. It is especially important to note that after a two-year break in the activities of the National Erasmus+ Office, participants mentioned that the event was very interesting and beneficial, and it marked a significant step in restoring and developing the program’s acti vities in the country.
In conclusion, the event on December 29, 2024, marked an important step in the development of Erasmus+ in Tajikistan and in strengthening the connections between alumni and new participants of the program.