UTP and Uzbekneftegaz Sign Landmark Strategic Agreement to Shape Future Energy Leaders
16 May 2025
Prof. Dato’ Ir Ts Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib, Provost & Chief Academic Officer of UTP, and Mr Bakhodirjon Sidikov, Chairman of the Board of Uzbekneftegaz JSC, sign a landmark agreement during the Energy Forum 2025 in Tashkent.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) has formalised a landmark strategic collaboration with Uzbekneftegaz JSC, the national oil and gas company of Uzbekistan, during the prestigious Oil & Gas Uzbekistan Energy Forum 2025 (OGU 2025). The agreement signifies a bold move by both institutions to transform regional energy leadership, empower future-ready talent, and foster long-term academic and industrial cooperation between Malaysia and Central Asia.
The official signing ceremony took place on 14 May 2025, during the Forum’s Panel Session on Educational Cooperation held at the Central Asian Energy Exchange (CAEx) in Tashkent. Representing UTP was Professor Dato’ Ir Ts Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib, Provost and Chief Academic Officer of the university, who signed the agreement on behalf of the UTP President. The ceremony was witnessed by Mr. Shaxrukh Xojakbarovich Daliyev, First Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Mr. Bakhodirjon Sidikov, Chairman of the Board of Uzbekneftegaz JSC.
In his remarks, Prof. Dato’ Ir Ts Dr Mohamed Ibrahim stated that this partnership reflects more than an academic accord, it represents a visionary commitment to international capacity building in the energy sector. He added, “This is not just a partnership. It is a future-building alliance that will elevate leadership, transfer knowledge, and position both nations to navigate the complexities of global energy transformation.”
The agreement is built on three strategic pillars that align with Uzbekistan’s energy modernisation goals and UTP’s mission of delivering high-impact education and capability development. The first of these initiatives is the ASCEND Leadership Development Programme, a specially curated executive training series designed to enhance the strategic leadership competencies of forty senior executives from Uzbekneftegaz. Key areas of focus include leadership agility, digital economy readiness, crisis decision-making, and emotional intelligence-critical skills required to lead in an increasingly volatile energy landscape.
In addition to executive education, the collaboration also introduces the UTP-Uzbekistan Talent Development Scholarship Programme, which will see UTP welcoming 20 high-potential Uzbek scholars over the next 4 years. Beginning in 2025, ten undergraduate and ten postgraduate students will be selected to pursue their studies in priority engineering and sciences disciplines. Undergraduate recipients will undergo a one-year foundation programme at UTP before continuing to their full degrees, while postgraduate scholars will be immersed in UTP’s research-intensive ecosystem under the guidance of expert academic supervisors. These students will also benefit from industry exposure, cross-cultural learning, and real-world application of their knowledge. Upon returning to Uzbekistan, they are expected to contribute directly to the advancement of the nation’s energy economy.
The agreement further expands UTP’s academic and research engagement in Central Asia. UTP has maintained a relationship with the Karshi Engineering Economics Institute since 2022, supporting student mobility, training delivery, and research exchange. Notably, UTP delivered a virtual professional course on Data Analytics for Engineers in 2023, exemplifying its ability to provide accessible, high-quality technical education across borders. The new agreement opens the door to the co-development of dual-degree programmes, collaborative research in digitalisation and sustainable energy, and the introduction of microcredentials to upskill working professionals in Uzbekistan.
Strategically, the collaboration is a win-win for both nations. For Uzbekistan, it supports ongoing institutional reform and investment in human capital to build a resilient, knowledge-based energy economy. For Malaysia, it strengthens UTP’s reputation as a global leader in professional education and aligns with national aspirations to project Malaysian higher education as a strategic soft-power tool. The partnership also directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Prof. Dato’ Ir Ts Dr Mohamed Ibrahim concluded, “Through this partnership, we are not just producing graduates, we are cultivating visionary leaders who will shape the energy future of Central Asia and beyond. UTP is honoured to walk this journey with Uzbekneftegaz, and together, we are setting a new standard for educational diplomacy and international cooperation.”
