After one year of operation, the UCA-Khorog campus was officially accredited under Tajikistan law. To celebrate, the university hosted an inauguration event which featured the President of Tajikistan, Mr. Emomali Rahmon. Preparing for the celebration consumed everyone in the university community. Windows were washed, walls were repainted, and chipped tiles replaced. Every surface was polished. A campus tour was planned and an outdoor pavillion was delivered from Dushanbe and erected for the ceremony.
Twice prior to the actual inauguration, a complete run-through was performed by administrators, students, and staff. The President's role was filled by Dr. Rahmonzoda, advisor to the President and former Minister of Education. During Dr. Rahmonzoda's first tour of the Science Lab, he and I chatted for a few minutes about my background, my motivation for accepting a Fulbright to Tajikistan, and my initial impressions of Khorog, UCA, and Tajikistan. After that first visit, the tour was modified such that I would be the faculty member who would talk directly with the President.
The President arrived in Khorog a few days early to conduct other government business. For security reasons, several city streets were barricaded with multiple military checkpoints. Most private cars and taxis chose to stay parked. Wifi and cellular internet became erratic, occasionally blocking specific websites and more rarely, all of them. With a day to go, the presidential security force arrived on campus and conducted door-to-door searches. The Science Lab in particular was vexing - acids, knives, and scissors were locked away. After clearing everything the campus was locked down overnight.
When dawn arrived on inauguration day, security guards were spaced every 100m. Nearly 1000 townspeople walked to campus to sit in the outdoor pavillion, while inside another K-9 search was completed. Everyone was in place by 7 am. The President arrived at 8:30 and first toured the academic buildings. In the Science Lab, we displayed a couple dozen mineral specimens (thank you, Khorog State University!) and I stood with several students whom I'd trained to speak confidently about each mineral, should the President ask. When he appeared (with an entourage of dignataries, photographers, and secret service personnel) the visit went pretty much as scripted: introductions were made, I described the earth science major, and we chatted briefly (through a translator) about workforce training for the mining industry in Tajikistan. The students looked great but unfortunately weren't involved. And after a few minutes, the President moved onward.
The outdoor ceremony was similarly successful and well-covered by UCA and national media. Listening to a live translation my main thought was that, for a President, Mr. Rahmon was relatively polite and well-spoken. By mid-morning the inauguration was done - UCA then cancelled classes and everyone went back to bed.
