(From fourth left) Usmanov and Prof Mohd Shukri flanked by the Uzbek dance troupe.
STUDENTS of Management and Science University (MSU) had a taste of Uzbek customs during the institution’s week-long International Cultural Festival.
Uzbekistan Ambassador to Malaysia Ravshan Usmanov turned up at the campus with an Uzbek dance troupe.
Usmanov encouraged the students gathered at MSU’s Performing Arts Theatre to study hard, master social skills and learn about other cultures.
“You are the only one who can make this world a better place, with more knowledge and more friends.
“Uzbekistan welcomes MSU in this effort to strengthen ties between our nations.
“It gives me great pleasure to join in this showcase of intangible heritage acknowledged by Unesco.”
Receiving the entourage at the MSU main campus in Shah Alam was MSU president Prof Tan Sri Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid.
“Malaysia and Uzbekistan share a lot of values and traditions, and strengths that can be combined for the benefit of our two countries and people,” said Prof Mohd Shukri.
Uzbekistan is the world’s only doubly landlocked country other than Liechtenstein.
Its relationship with Malaysia dates back to 1992 with the establishment of a Malaysian embassy in Tashkent.
The cultural visit to MSU coincidentally celebrates 30 years of bilateral diplomatic ties between the two countries.
MSU has collaborations in pharmaceutical and healthcare, halal certification, personnel training, and poultry as well as agriculture with Uzbekistan.
MSU also collaborates with Navoi State Pedagogical Institute, Bukhara State University, Bukhara State Medical Institute, and Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages.
