The deployment of 5G in Malaysia recently came into the spotlight when the government announced the National Digital Infrastructure Plan or JENDELA, which aims at paving the way for the country’s digital transformation towards 5G technology. Ushering the advent of 5G to Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (‘TAR UC’) is positioning itself at the forefront to embrace 5G when it rolls out.
To this end, TAR UC inked a Memorandum of Understanding (‘MoU’) on 2 December 2020 with ZTE Education Management Co. Ltd (‘ZTE Education’), an establishment of ZTE University founded by ZTE Corporation in China.
Participants of the virtual MoU signing included Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Chairman of TAR UC’s Board of Governors, Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of TAR UC, and Mr Xu Gaoshan, CEO of ZTE Education, Mr Li Baoqiao, COO of ZTE Education and Mr Xu Wei, CTO of ZTE Education. The live stream was witnessed by senior officials from both TAR UC and ZTE Education.
The formalisation of the MoU paves the way for 5G facilities to be set up at TAR UC to offer certification programmes related to 5G technology namely the establishment of the ZTE 5G Industry Research Institute which would enable TAR UC to work with relevant institutes under the ZTE Education network in 5G education. In addition, ZTE 5G Research Lab will be set up at TAR UC fully equipped with the latest equipment and facilities on 5G technology and application platforms for practical works, applied researches and application development projects. Both the ZTE 5G Industry Research Institute and ZTE 5G Research Lab are targeted to be ready by 2021.
The collaboration will also focus on talent development for TAR UC staff and students as well as professionals in relevant industries. TAR UC students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels will be given the opportunity to pursue 5G related elective courses either as Micro- Credential Programmes (‘MCP’) or Massive Open Online Courses (‘MOOC’). Additionally, under the 1+X certification approved by the Ministry of Education in China, TAR UC students will soon have the opportunity to pursue specialised certifications in 5G and ZTE Communication Technology. It also allows for TAR UC to collaborate with institutions of higher learning in China via ZTE Education to develop talent development programmes and 5G communication technology professional certification courses.
“5G network is also part of the digital infrastructure in TAR UC to support the digital transformation of SMI/SMEs. Digital infrastructure is imperative for the success of digitalisation because SMI/SMEs can utilise the digital infrastructure and talents in TAR UC for proof of concept and implementing innovation through industry-academia collaboration”, said Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai in his speech delivered virtually.
“As an institution of higher learning guided by the philosophy of ‘Beyond Education’, TAR UC is set to align with the Government’s JENDELA aspiration. The MoU will enhance TAR UC’s position locally and regionally in becoming a hub for the development of future-proof talents to drive and support the 5G economy,” he added.
Mr Xu Gaoshan also expressed his aspirations for collaboration. “Through this integration programme, I am looking forward to the collaboration opportunities between TAR UC and participating institutions of higher learning in China to train and produce internationalised IT talents.”
Online Education Fair 线上教育展
Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC)
拉曼大学学院（拉大学院）
https://edufair.fsi.com.my/taruc
