DUSHANBE, May 19, 2010, Asia-Plus -- The U.S. Embassy is closely following the Dushanbe High Economic Court’s review of the Ministry of Education’s order to revoke the license of the Institute of Innovative Technology and Communication (IITC), a private higher education institution, press release issued by the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe said.

The U.S. Embassy wants IITC to receive a full and fair hearing, and Embassy officers will observe the Dushanbe High Economic Court’s review of IITC’s appeal. The U.S. Embassy expects that the bases for any court decision be fully explained.

The closure of IITC would further reduce the opportunities for young people to receive higher education in Tajikistan.  The opportunity for young people to learn from a diverse body of instructors and discuss a wide range of views is crucial for the development of civil society.  The closure of a private institute for unclear reasons could have a negative impact on the investment climate and discourage further investment in the Tajik education sector.