UMPSA and TSTU enter first bilateral agreement to foster global academic cooperation

TASHKENT, 21 April 2025 – Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) has officially established its first international partnership with a public university in Uzbekistan, Tashkent State Technical University (TSTU). 

Held in the capital city of Tashkent, the signing ceremony marks a major step forward in advancing cooperation between Malaysia and Uzbekistan, particularly in the fields of technical education, joint research, scholarly publications, and student mobility.

As one of Malaysia’s leading technical universities, UMPSA continues to expand its global network. 

The strategic selection of TSTU as a partner university demonstrates UMPSA’s commitment to becoming a globally recognised leader in engineering and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). 

TSTU, one of the oldest and most renowned technical institutions in Central Asia, is highly regarded for its strong engineering programmes, making it an ideal collaborator for UMPSA.

The first day of the UMPSA Vice-Chancellor’s official working visit to Uzbekistan began with a focused discussion between the UMPSA delegation, led by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias, and TSTU Rector Professor Sadritdin Turabdjanov. 

Key areas of potential cooperation were explored, including academic mobility for students and staff, high-impact joint research initiatives in engineering and green technology, and dual degree opportunities between the two institutions. 

The discussion also highlighted collaborative efforts in scholarly publications and innovation-based learning experiences.

These shared ambitions were formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), officiated by both the Vice-Chancellor of UMPSA and the Rector of TSTU, and witnessed by TSTU’s senior leadership team. 

In her remarks, Professor Dr. Yatimah stressed the importance of translating the MoU into meaningful outcomes, stating, this partnership is not just about signatures. 

“It is about the synergy of ideas, of purpose, and of a shared vision to transform technical education for a better, more connected world,” she said. 

To commemorate the occasion, Professor Dr. Yatimah also delivered a sharing session entitled “UMPSA Global Insight Series: Smart Campus, Smarter Graduates - Embracing Digital Transformation in Higher Education” to a full audience of TSTU lecturers, researchers, and students. 

The session provided a comprehensive overview of UMPSA’s institutional transformation, focusing on its Smart Campus ecosystem, integrating digital learning platforms, data-driven operations, and AI-enhanced tools to drive academic and administrative excellence.

She also introduced UMPSA’s RM1.5 million Global Mobility Fund, a key enabler of inclusive internationalisation, and shared real-world stories of student empowerment through dual degree programmes and work-based learning opportunities abroad. 

“At UMPSA, we believe a smart campus is not just about technology, it is about empowering people. 

“Our digital transformation is guided by values of inclusivity, sustainability, and impact. We want our graduates to be not only smart in skills, but wise in purpose,” she said.

The UMPSA delegation, which included, Director of the Centre for International Relations, Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Herma Dina Setiabudi also toured the TSTU campus to explore potential collaboration spaces and foster stronger institutional ties.

The new alliance with TSTU is aligned with several key pillars of UMPSA’s institutional transformation, as outlined in the Vice-Chancellor’s Address 2025. 

As part of UMPSA’s efforts to deliver competitive academic programmes, the university is embarking on curriculum restructuring designed to enhance graduate employability and mobility. 

These efforts include embedding interdisciplinary components, strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and reinforcing English proficiency through a global lens. 

The proposed mobility collaboration with TSTU reflects this strategic commitment.

In strengthening research, industry engagement, and societal impact, UMPSA will intensify its focus on research, promote transdisciplinary collaboration, and forge stronger linkages with industry partners. 

The UMPSA-TSTU partnership will offer a collaborative platform for tackling real-world challenges in areas such as green technology, industrial innovation, and sustainable engineering.

Finally, UMPSA remains committed to building a sustainable and inclusive campus ecosystem. 

The university aims to expand international student and staff mobility while creating a digitally empowered academic environment. 

Alumni engagement and inclusive practices will continue to be central to UMPSA’s efforts in nurturing a globally engaged and future-ready campus community.

This newly established collaboration with TSTU not only strengthens UMPSA’s strategic internationalisation agenda but also demonstrates a more inclusive, connected, and transformative future in higher education across borders.

By: Nur Ezzati Mohd Nasir, Office of The Vice-Chancellor