A COURTESY CALL BY H.E AMBASSADOR RAVSHAN USMANOV, EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN

On the same day as my Professorial Lecture, I had the great pleasure of receiving H.E Ambassador Ravshan Usmanov’s, Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, visit to Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). H.E. the Ambassador who was accompanied by Mr Elbek Saidov Second Secretary Tourism, Culture, Humanitarian and Education Division and Mr Alisher Gafurov, Consul/Attache Consular Division had earlier discussed with UiTM Global in a meeting chaired by Deputy Vice Chancellor for Students Affairs assuming the duties of Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and International, on potential programmes of collaboration. H.E. proposed firstly for a book donation project for the library of University of Samarkand, secondly UiTM is to provide training in Oil and Gas (GTL Plant), thirdly embark on International Law projects as well as inbound and outbound student mobility with potential Uzbekistan students coming to study full time in UiTM.

The Ministry of Education and universities in Uzbekistan have been long time partners of UiTM and have worked on many projects in the past. Resuming talks and discussions on potential cooperation, the Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism hopes to proceed with programmes on tourism, staff and students exchange, research and publication that had been delayed as a result of the pandemic. I am positive that the collaboration with universities and agencies in Uzbekistan will materialise and place UiTM in an even better position internationally.

Pada hari yang sama berlangsungnya Syarahan Profesor saya, saya berbesar hati menerima kunjungan hormat oleh Duta Besar Republik Uzbekistan TYT Ravshan Usmanov ke Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). Beliau diiringi oleh En Elbek Saidov Setiausaha Kedua Bahagian Pelancongan, Kebudayaan, Kemanusiaan dan Pendidikan dan En Alisher Gafurov, Bahagian Konsul/Atase. Mereka sebelum ini telah berbincang dengan UiTM Global dalam mesyuarat yang dipengerusikan oleh Timbalan Naib Canselor Hal Ehwal Pelajar yang menjalankan tugas Timbalan Naib Canselor Hal Ehwal Akademik dan Antarabangsa, mengenai potensi program kerjasama. TYT Ravshan Usmanov memberi cadangan pertama mengenai projek sumbangan buku untuk perpustakaan Universiti Samarkand, kedua UiTM menyediakan latihan dalam Minyak dan Gas (GTL Plant), ketiga memulakan projek Undang-undang Antarabangsa serta mobiliti pelajar dengan potensi pelajar Uzbekistan datang belajar sepenuh masa di UiTM.

Kementerian Pendidikan dan universiti di Uzbekistan telah lama menjadi rakan kongsi UiTM dan telah mengusahakan banyak projek pada masa lalu. Meneruskan perbincangan mengenai potensi kerjasama, Fakulti Pengurusan Hotel dan Pelancongan berharap dapat meneruskan program pelancongan, pertukaran kakitangan dan pelajar, penyelidikan dan penerbitan yang telah tertangguh akibat pandemik. Saya yakin bahawa kerjasama dengan universiti dan agensi di Uzbekistan akan menjadi kenyataan dan meletakkan UiTM pada kedudukan yang lebih baik di peringkat antarabangsa.