SINTOK, 10 March 2026: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) received an official visit from a delegation of Termez State University (TERSU), Uzbekistan, for the document exchange ceremony of the TERSU-UUM Academic Exchange Programme, held at the Visitors’ Lounge yesterday.
The TERSU delegation, led by the Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Mr Gafur Togaev, was warmly welcomed by the UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed.
In his welcoming speech, Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha described the document exchange as another significant milestone in strengthening the academic partnership between the two universities. He noted that the collaboration is expected to bring meaningful benefits to both institutions.
He further emphasised that UUM stands ready to share its academic expertise with TERSU as part of broader efforts to expand international educational collaboration.
“I am honoured to be invited to participate in this programme jointly implemented by our two universities. UUM looks forward to welcoming more mobility participants from TERSU while also sending our academic staff to TERSU in the future,” he said.
He also expressed hope that future initiatives would expand beyond academic exchanges to include opportunities for administrative staff.
“I believe many are eager for the opportunity to visit Uzbekistan, a country rich in history and increasingly recognised as an emerging destination for both education and tourism,” he added.
At the same time, he extended his appreciation to the Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC) and the respective schools involved for their dedication to making the collaboration possible.
Prof. Ahmad Martadha also reaffirmed UUM’s commitment to ensuring that students from TERSU gain meaningful academic exposure and enriching campus experiences during their stay at the university.
“This new environment will offer TERSU students a fresh perspective. Beyond gaining knowledge, they will also have the opportunity to experience the diverse cultural and campus life that UUM has to offer,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Gafur Togaev said that the collaboration between TERSU and UUM reflects a shared aspiration to strengthen educational cooperation and broaden international academic networks.
According to him, at the international level, the mention of UUM also represents Malaysia’s reputation as a country known for its high-quality educational institutions.
“For students of Termez State University, UUM is not only a place to acquire knowledge but also a centre of wisdom supported by a welcoming and friendly community,” he said.
He further added that UUM is more than a partner university but has become an organisation that holds a special place in the hearts of the TERSU community.
“As we look to the future, the relationship between Termez State University and our friends in Malaysia, particularly Universiti Utara Malaysia, has grown beyond the confines of the lecture hall and has become an important pillar in the ongoing friendship between Uzbekistan and Malaysia,” he said.
In closing, he also invited members of the UUM community to visit the ancient city of Termez in Uzbekistan, renowned as the birthplace of distinguished hadith scholars, philosophers and great thinkers, and celebrated for its rich history as well as the heritage of Islamic civilisation and Uzbek culture.
