TP-Link Distribution Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (TP-Link Malaysia) has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New Era University College (NEUC), strengthening efforts to develop industry-ready enterprise networking talent in Malaysia.
Signed in Kajang on 8 September 2026, the collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and evolving industry requirements by integrating enterprise networking capabilities, professional certification pathways and practical industry exposure into the student learning experience.
As organisations continue to expand their digital infrastructure, the partnership is intended to give students a stronger understanding of the technologies and skills required to support modern business networks.
Students to Gain Hands-On Experience with Omada
As part of the partnership, TP-Link Malaysia will deploy its Omada enterprise networking solutions within New Era University College’s learning environment.
This will allow students to gain hands-on experience with networking infrastructure designed to mirror real-world business networks, providing practical exposure alongside their academic studies.
The collaboration will also include technical workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions, giving students opportunities to engage with industry expertise and gain a better understanding of current enterprise networking practices.
Students will additionally have access to the Omada Certified Network Administrator (OCNA) certification pathway, enabling them to develop industry-recognised networking competencies.
From Classroom Learning to the Technology Workforce
Beyond classroom learning, the partnership will provide students with industrial training and internship opportunities with TP-Link Malaysia.
These opportunities are intended to provide practical workplace exposure while creating a clearer pathway for students transitioning from higher education into Malaysia’s technology workforce.
Mr Cai Zhenbiao (Hugo Cai), Regional Director of TP-Link Malaysia, said closer collaboration between industry and academia was increasingly important as organisations accelerated their digital transformation efforts.
“As organisations continue to accelerate their digital transformation efforts, the demand for professionals with the ability to support and manage modern technology infrastructure continues to grow. Developing this talent requires closer collaboration between industry and academia to ensure students are equipped with knowledge that is aligned with real-world needs.”
He added that TP-Link Malaysia aimed to contribute its industry expertise while giving students meaningful exposure to enterprise technologies and practices.
Strengthening Industry-Academia Collaboration
Asst. Prof. Dr Ang Yang Yi, Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Innovative Technology at New Era University College, said partnerships with industry could help connect academic knowledge with practical applications and industry perspectives.
“Higher education institutions play an important role in preparing graduates for an increasingly technology-driven economy. By collaborating with industry partners such as TP-Link Malaysia, we are able to enhance our students’ learning journey by connecting academic knowledge with practical applications and industry perspectives.”
She added that the partnership reflected the university college’s commitment to providing students with opportunities to develop relevant skills and prepare for future careers.
Both organisations will also explore further collaboration in research initiatives, technical knowledge exchange and engagement between industry professionals and academic experts.
The initiatives are intended to strengthen the connection between enterprise networking practice and academic learning while creating further opportunities for technology talent development.
Building on TP-Link’s University Partnerships
The collaboration with New Era University College builds on TP-Link Malaysia’s existing efforts to strengthen industry-academia engagement in enterprise networking education.
The company has previously collaborated with Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), establishing a growing network of university partnerships.
The OCNA certification pathway has also been introduced across participating institutions. In 2025, approximately 500 students participated in the certification pathway, reflecting growing interest in industry-aligned enterprise networking competencies.
TP-Link Malaysia’s collaboration with UiTM earlier this year similarly focused on equipping students with practical enterprise networking skills, hands-on experience and professional certification.
Developing Malaysia’s Digital Talent Ecosystem
With Malaysia continuing to advance its digital economy ambitions, developing skilled professionals capable of supporting modern digital infrastructure will remain important for businesses and organisations.
Through continued partnerships with higher education institutions, TP-Link Malaysia said it remains committed to supporting the development of a sustainable technology talent ecosystem aligned with industry requirements.
The partnership with New Era University College therefore represents another step towards giving Malaysian students access to enterprise networking technologies, professional certifications and practical industry experience before entering the technology workforce.
For more information about TP-Link’s Omada enterprise networking solutions, visit Omada Networks.
