The three-year collaboration was designed to bridge the disconnect between academic learning and real-world industry requirements, enabling UiTM students to graduate with practical capabilities aligned to current enterprise needs, while strengthening collaboration between industry and academia.
Central to the partnership was the deployment of Omada by TP-Link enterprise networking solutions within UiTM labs, providing students with direct exposure to infrastructure used in business environments. This was supported by structured training programmes, technical workshops and access to the Omada Certified Network Administrator (OCNA) certification pathway.
Students also gained access to internship and industrial training opportunities with TP-Link, creating a clearer pathway from university to employment in Malaysia’s growing digital economy. The initiative built on TP-Link Malaysia’s earlier collaboration with Universiti Malaya, where over 500 students participated in certification programmes in 2025, highlighting strong demand for industry-aligned networking skills and certifications.
“Across industries, organisations are scaling their digital infrastructure, but the availability of professionals with enterprise networking expertise has not kept pace. This collaboration is focused on closing that gap by equipping students with practical, certification-backed skills that are directly relevant to industry needs from day one,” said Hugo Cai, Regional Director of TP-Link Distribution Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
“Ensuring our graduates are equipped with both academic knowledge and practical, industry-relevant skills is critical in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. Collaborations such as this allow us to align our programmes more closely with technological advancements and industry expectations”, added Prof. Datuk Ts. Dr Shahrin Sahib Sahibuddin, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi MARA.
Beyond talent development, both organisations also explored joint initiatives in research, consultation, and knowledge exchange, fostering closer collaboration between TP-Link engineers and UiTM faculty members. As Malaysia continues to advance its digital economy ambitions, initiatives that directly connect education with industry needs play a critical role in ensuring the country remains competitive in building and sustaining modern digital infrastructure.
