UTeM To Expand JELITA TVET Programme To Uzbekistan

MELAKA, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) is set to expand its women-focused technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programme known as JELITA or Job Empowerment by Learning and Inclusive Technical Advancement, to Uzbekistan.

Its vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Massila Kamalrudin, said the initiative is part of a strategic collaboration between UTeM and universities in Uzbekistan.

“This follows a request from their side, as they seek to enhance TVET-based programmes for women in their country.

“UTeM is prepared to share its expertise and experience, leveraging the success of the JELITA TVET programme in Malaysia since its launch in 2023,” she said in a statement today.

She added that UTeM remains proactive in ensuring the national-level programme’s success while working towards expanding JELITA TVET’s global reach through collaborations with international universities.

According to the statement, Massila recently represented UTeM at the signing ceremony of a Letter of Intent (LoI) with two universities from Uzbekistan, namely Tashkent University of Information Technologies (TUIT) and Bukhara Engineering and Technological Institute (BETI), at UTeM’s Durian Tunggal campus.

She further said that the collaboration focuses on several areas, such as strengthening academic collaborations, research initiatives, staff and student exchanges, and edu-tourism, which would further boost the state’s tourism sector.

“In addition, several high-potential innovations from the three higher education institutions will be further developed for commercialisation through joint spin-off projects.

“Overall, this strategic partnership is not only limited to higher education but also enhances diplomatic ties between two Asian nations,” she said.

The visiting delegation from Uzbekistan included TUIT Rector Prof Dr Bakhtiyor Makhkamov and BETI Rector Siddokova Sadokat, who signed the LoI with UTeM.

-- BERNAMA