On May 3-4, 2006, the American Institute of Iranian Studies (AIIrS), along with the University of Chicago’s Centers for Middle Eastern Studies, International Studies and East European and Russian/Eurasian Studies, and its Committee on Central Eurasian Studies, hosted H.E. Ambassador Hamrokhon Zaripov of the Republic of Tajikistan and Deputy Counsel Mahmadnazir Sharipov in Chicago. In addition to attending a Tajik language class at the university, the Ambassador spoke in Tajik Persian at the Tajik Circle and delivered a lecture in English about the development of Tajikistan’s infrastructure at the International House. The culminating event was a meeting attended by the AIIrS President Franklin Lewis, Executive Director Erica Ehrenberg and Tehran Resident Director James Clark, and University of Chicago professors and administrators from the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, to discuss potential academic exchange programs between the United States and Tajikistan. AIIrS has applied for funding to initiate an exchange program for advanced scholars as well as a Tajik Persian language training program for American students. The University of Chicago is interested in serving as an official host university for such programs and the Ambassador cited the National University of Tajikistan in Dushanbe as the suitable host institution in Tajikistan. Funding permitting, AIIrS and the University of Chicago will form a fact-finding mission to travel to Tajikistan and meet with education and university officials to continue discussions.