In the 1930s, Mongolia saw the inception of its first magazine, "Help for Teachers," dedicated to enhancing teaching methods. Notably, geography teaching methods gained prominence in vocational schools during the 1940s. Pioneering educators such as G. Batsukh, B. Dolgormaa, Sh. Shagdar, who later achieved the esteemed title of Mongolian People's Teacher, laid the groundwork for geography teaching methods.
The 1960s marked a pivotal era characterized by a surge in primary schools and an emphasis on elevating educational standards. The overarching objective became the cultivation of a cadre of highly educated professionals. Consequently, in addition to nurturing Geography-Natural Science lecturers within the Faculty of Natural Science at MNUE, over 2,500 lecturers and specialists have undergone training. Specialized courses in Geography-History, Biology-Geography, Geography-Natural Science, and Geography-Tourism have been conducted to enhance professional versatility and address the evolving needs of education.
Over the years, the department has evolved into a prominent hub for research and training in geography. Its focus encompasses significant contributions to geography didactics, as well as research in the realms of physical and socio-economic geography specific to Mongolia. Notably, the department has emerged as a key player in the field of geography education, assuming a pivotal role in shaping curricula, developing textbooks, orchestrating domestic and international Olympiads, and spearheading regional geographic research initiatives.
Since 2014, in alignment with the evolving curriculum and structure of MNUE, the department has recalibrated its priorities. It has dedicated its efforts to the training and research domains, with a specific emphasis on Geography Teacher Development and Climate Change Education. This strategic alignment reflects the school's educational and academic objectives and aligns with international trends in preparing geography teachers.
Since 1998, our department has been actively engaged in a Master's 1+1 program, fostering student field practice exchange programs with esteemed institutions such as Moscow University of Geology and Exploration in Russia and Buryat State University, also in Russia. Additionally, the department has established enduring traditions of teacher development and student practice exchanges with the Geography School of Inner Mongolia Normal University in China.
Moreover, the department's lecturers have forged collaborations with esteemed scientists and researchers from the United States, Germany, Japan, Russia, and China. These partnerships have materialized in joint efforts and research endeavors spanning climate change education, soil science, and physical geography research. Such global collaborations underscore the department's commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering international academic cooperation.
