Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) recently hosted a strategic meeting with the Rector and Vice-Rector of Termez State University (TerSU), Uzbekistan, to explore potential avenues for academic collaboration. Earlier in the morning, the TerSU delegation had the honor of attending UUM’s 37th Convocation Ceremony, experiencing a key moment in the university’s academic calendar and witnessing firsthand the vibrancy of UUM’s academic culture.

The discussions, chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arpah Abu Bakar, Director of the Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC) at UUM, marked a promising step toward strengthening academic ties between Malaysia and Uzbekistan. During the meeting, TerSU expressed keen interest in establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UUM, with plans to initiate summer programs at UUM for TerSU students, a student exchange program, and appointing UUM faculty members as advisors to TerSU in areas of research, curriculum development, and program reviews. This potential partnership, the first of its kind for TerSU with a Malaysian university, promises valuable academic and cross-cultural opportunities for students and faculty from both institutions.

Representatives from UUM’s School of Quantitative Sciences (SQS) and School of Economics, Finance, and Banking (SEFB) also attended the meeting, adding their support and expertise to the initiative. If realized, this collaboration will serve as a pioneering model for international academic exchange, enhancing shared knowledge and fostering a strong academic relationship between UUM and TerSU.