By: Ahmad Daniel Syah Ahmad Effendi
UZBEKISTAN, 29 March – 5 April 2026 – International, Mobility and Advanced Education Centre (IMAC), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), sent students to participate in the First International Student Forum TUIT 2026, hosted by Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi (TUIT). The programme was held from 29 March to 5 April 2026 and brought together participants from South Korea, France, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, China, and Russia.
The UPSI representatives were Ahmad Daniel Syah bin Ahmad Effendi from the Faculty of Languages and Communication (FBK), Abbas Ali bin Iftikhar Hussain from the Faculty of Science and Mathematics (FSM), Siti Hajar binti Jamal from the Faculty of Human Sciences (FSK), as well as Wong Oi Yi and Shitralega Murali from the Faculty of Management and Economics (FPE).
While participating in the Hackathon “Design Thinking Startup” competition, the students were also given the opportunity to connect with other international participants. They built friendships, shared experiences, and gained insights into different cultures. They also explored local food, including samsa and osh, and learned how these traditional dishes are prepared.
Participants visited the campuses of Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, where they were introduced to the facilities, academic environment, and campus life. In Tashkent, they also visited several key locations such as the Victims of Repression Memorial Museum, Tashkent TV Tower, and the Center of Islamic Civilization.
The participants then spent three days in Samarkand, where they stayed at the TUIT Samarkand campus located in a mountainous area. During this time, they took part in forums, sports competitions, group quizzes and games, which strengthened interaction among participants.
They also visited well-known historical sites including Registan Square, Imam al-Bukhari Complex, and Shah-i-Zinda Complex, which enhanced their understanding of the country’s history and heritage.
UPSI students also achieved strong results during the forum. Wong Oi Yi secured second place, while Abbas Ali bin Iftikhar Hussain achieved third place in the Hackathon “Design Thinking Startup”. This achievement demonstrates UPSI students’ ability to compete at the international level and highlights their strengths in innovation and problem-solving.
Participants also expressed their appreciation for the opportunity, stating that they were grateful to be part of the programme as it allowed them to gain new knowledge, build international networks, and develop confidence in a global setting.
According to the Director of IMAC, Professor Dr. Ramlee bin Ismail, the programme reflects UPSI’s commitment to expanding international collaboration and providing students with meaningful global exposure through structured mobility initiatives.
The participation of UPSI students in this programme is aligned with the vision of UPSI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Md Amin bin Md Taff, who emphasises strengthening global education networks, particularly with Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, as well as developing globally competitive graduates.
Overall, the First International Student Forum TUIT 2026 provided a meaningful experience that supported learning, cultural exchange, and international collaboration among students.