UTM, Cisco collaborate to advance research

• To strengthen, promote, develop academic and research collaboration
• Reaffirms commitment to promote knowledge sharing, digital innovation 

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) through its global prominence strategy has set its sight on developing and maintaining smart partnership with renowned institutions around the world.

Through the school of computing, the faculty of engineering signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cisco Systems to further strengthen, promote and develop academic and research collaboration on information and communications technology between both parties.

UTM vice-chancellor Ahmad Fauzi Ismailsaid the memorandum which would translate the sharing of academic knowledge and research initiatives, would also bring many benefits to the community, universities, and industry, especially Cisco.

Hana Raja, managing director of Cisco Malaysia said the pace of digital transformation and innovation has accelerated tremendously, and it has reshaped the way we work, live and learn. 

“Cisco has been offering its Networking Academy programmes to UTM for the past eight years and this MoU reaffirms our commitment to working with like minded partners and educational institutions to promote knowledge sharing and digital innovation in the ICT industry in Malaysia through education, training, talent development, and technology innovation.

“We are delighted to continue working together and providing our expertise in this area,” said Hana.

UTM said the strategic cooperation focuses on three main pillars namely talent development, teaching and learning as well as technology and digital innovation.

Among the initiatives to be implemented by both parties include staff reskill and upskill programme, hybrid classroom, curriculum support.

This is done via Cisco Networking Academy programme on cybersecurity, internet of things and networking, students’ activities, and digital campus strategy and technology roadmap, UTM said.

In addition to this initiative between UTM and Cisco, the collaboration will further enhance the global prominence for both parties nationally and globally.

In 2014, Cisco established a lab facility in UTM to help students complete its Cisco Certified Network Associate modules which requires hands-on training to equip students with the relevant industry experience and prepare them for the workforce, UTM said.

Since its inception, the company has supported the training of 112,602 students in Malaysia, with 98% of students obtaining a job or educational opportunity upon certification, it added.