Marine-focused Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and National Research University (NRU), Uzbekistan, have agreed to formally collaborate with each other.

Both universities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during a ceremony in Uzbekistan on 16 December. UMT was represented by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar, while Prof. Dr. Bakhadir Suyunovich Mirzaev sealed the agreement documents on behalf of NRU.

As part of the signing ceremony, official visits were also made to several places having potential for further development, and initiatives were discussed to further strengthen the diplomatic relationship that has existed since 1992 between Malaysia and Uzbekistan.

Also present at the ceremony to witness the MOU signing was Malaysia’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan TYT Ilham Tuah Illias.

The MOU outlines the commitments and shared aspirations for collaborations on several areas, especially the sharing of expertise and research.

According to Prof. Mazlan, one of the emphasized aspects in the MOU is the sharing of cultural and historical values between Malaysia and Uzbekistan.

“Uzbekistan is a unique country rich in historical heritage and it has a big potential to be further developed and benefitted.

“UMT has students from the country, and this collaboration will allow us to conduct student exchange programmes, organize seminars and sharing of expertise, and we hope the effort will provide benefits to both parties.

He said UMT is planning to set up an English Centre in the country blessed with civilization history.

“The collaboration with NRU first started when UMT lecturers were appointed as visiting lecturers to the university for teaching purposes.”

“In addition, we have visited the proposed site at Termez University of Uzbekistan for setting up an English Centre to gauge the suitability.”

He added the effort will provide a big impact towards the development and achievement of UMT, which is now at its best in the history of its establishment.

“We expect there will be more international students from Uzbekistan coming to UMT, which will contribute to the KPIs and the generation of income through student fees.”

In addition, he said the ISF franchise programme in Uzbekistan also acts as a strategic promotion for the admission of students to International STEM Foundation at UMT.

The MOU has created a solid platform for future collaborations between the two universities. Both serve as important strategic partners that will help one another in forming the regional and global education landscape.

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu