TASHKENT, 9 May 2026 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) strengthened its higher education cooperation with Uzbekistan through the UTM–Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership and Alumni Engagement held today at Hyatt Regency Tashkent, bringing together representatives from 13 institutions across Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand, Fergana and Urgench.

UTM Strategic Partnership and Alumni Engagement

The engagement session marked the conclusion of the UTM Malaysia–Uzbekistan knowledge mission held from 5 to 9 May 2026, with the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding between UTM and six Uzbek universities, as well as a special engagement with UTM alumni in Uzbekistan. The engagement is expected to create practical opportunities for students, academics and researchers in both countries through mobility programmes, joint research, postgraduate collaboration, scholarly exchange and future academic initiatives.

The session was attended by leaders and representatives from Fergana State University; Tashkent University of Architecture and Civil Engineering; Central Asian Green University; Samarkand State Architecture and Construction University; National University of Uzbekistan; Tashkent University of Technology; Bukhara State Technical University; Silk Road International University of Tourism and Heritage; Asia International University; Tashkent State University of Economics; Journalism and Mass Communications University of Uzbekistan; Tashkent University of Information Technologies; and Urgench State University.

In his opening remarks, UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim said the mission highlighted higher education as a bridge between nations, cultures and civilisations, supported by the strong presence of Uzbek partners despite the long holiday period in conjunction with Uzbekistan’s Day of Remembrance and Honour. The MoUs are intended to move beyond ceremony and become platforms for action through joint research, academic mobility, postgraduate collaboration, co-supervision, scholarly exchange, seminars, publications and future programmes that benefit students, academics and communities. UTM and its Uzbek partners also identified promising areas of collaboration, including engineering, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, sustainable development, architecture, built environment, language, culture, heritage, tourism, Islamic civilisation, and science and ethics.

Opening Remarks by UTM Vice Chancellor

The engagement was part of the wider programme held in conjunction with the Royal Visit of Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia and Chancellor of UTM, to Uzbekistan. The Royal Conference on “Scientific Tradition in Islamic Civilisation: Resources, Potentials and Challenges” served as the main highlight of the visit, with Her Majesty graciously gracing the event and delivering the Royal Address.

The engagement also placed special emphasis on alumni, recognising the role of UTM alumni as bridges of friendship between Malaysia and Uzbekistan. Two UTM alumni were acknowledged during the session: Mr Azizbek Khayitboev, Chief Executive Officer of Almuda Company, and Mr Azriel Iskandar bin Jaharul Ariffin, who is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Museology and Preservation of Cultural Objects at Samarkand Silk Road International University of Tourism. Alumni are ambassadors of knowledge, goodwill and institutional trust; their continued relationship with UTM makes the Malaysia–Uzbekistan partnership more personal, meaningful and sustainable. The alumni engagement is expected to open new opportunities in student referrals, academic collaboration, industry linkages, cultural exchange and future partnership initiatives.

Reflecting on the wider purpose of the engagement, Prof. Shafry said universities must continue to uphold the ethical and human dimensions of knowledge.

“In a world facing rapid technological change, universities have a responsibility to ensure that knowledge remains connected to ethics, humanity and the common good. This is the spirit of our engagement in Uzbekistan. It is not only about institutional cooperation. It is about building a future where higher education brings people closer, deepens understanding, and contributes to a more humane and responsible world,” he said.

The UTM–Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership and Alumni Engagement reaffirmed UTM’s growing role in advancing academic diplomacy between Malaysia and Uzbekistan. It also positioned higher education as a platform for connecting scientific advancement with ethical knowledge, technology with civilisation, and institutional cooperation with deeper people-to-people understanding.

Group Photo of UTM and Participating Institutions and Alumni

The engagement concluded with a renewed commitment to transform goodwill into action and to build a stronger, deeper and more impactful partnership between UTM and institutions across Uzbekistan.