TP-LINK AND UNIVERSITI MALAYA LAUNCH MALAYSIA’S FIRST AI-DRIVEN WI-FI 7 CAMPUS NETWORK

KUALA LUMPUR, 17 October 2024 – TP-Link Malaysia and Universiti Malaya (UM) have joined forces to bring the country’s first AI-powered Wi-Fi 7 network to life, transforming the way students and staff connect at the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT). This breakthrough makes UM the first public university in Malaysia to adopt the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, promising lightning-fast speeds, enhanced security, and seamless connectivity, setting a new benchmark for digital learning and research on campus.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between TP-Link and Universiti Malaya (UM) marks the beginning of an initiative to deploy a cutting-edge Wi-Fi system powered by artificial intelligence. This smart network will significantly enhance both performance and security, ensuring a smooth online experience for everyone on campus. By intelligently adapting to users' needs, it will provide students, faculty, and researchers with fast and reliable internet access whenever they require it. Additionally, the system will automatically respond to security threats and streamline network management through an intuitive centralized dashboard, making connectivity easy and efficient for all.

TP-Link Malaysia will equip key areas of FCSIT, including Lecture Hall 1, Lecture Hall 2, and the Networking teaching lab, with Wi-Fi 7 technology. This advanced setup will support over 750 users, making UM the first public university in Malaysia to benefit from such a high-performance network. The project aims to enhance both teaching and learning experiences, with the network capable of managing increased traffic and delivering consistent connectivity across campus.

Hugo Cai, regional director of TP-Link Malaysia said, “We are proud and excited to partner with UM to explore the utilization of cutting-edge technologies like Wi-Fi 7 and integrated AI solutions as we look towards driving innovation and enhancing Malaysia’s digital experience, especially in the education sector.”

Leading the project is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ang Tan Fong, supported by a team that includes Prof. Ir. Dr. Chan Chee Seng and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ling Teck Chaw. The team is tasked with overseeing the deployment, ensuring the technology enhances the campus’s overall connectivity infrastructure and supports UM’s broader goals of digital transformation in education.

“With this collaboration, we hope that TP-Link could assist us by providing more PoC (proof of concept) to show that their products are capable of giving better coverage for the students. We have also been discussing with TP-Link on further collaboration to utilize some of their products as PoC in other areas of the UM campus, so this collaboration is not only limited to FCSIT,” said Prof. Ts. Dr. Nor Badrul Anuar bin Juma’at, UM’s chief information officer.

The three-year collaboration will see TP-Link providing equipment and technical support worth up to RM300,000. Upon completion of the project, all equipment will be transferred to UM, further solidifying the university’s commitment to future-proofing its digital infrastructure.

The launch of this project reflects UM’s dedication to adopting advanced technologies that foster academic excellence and position the university at the forefront of innovation. The AI-driven Wi-Fi 7 network will not only improve internet access but will also enable better security monitoring, network management, and data analytics through the use of AI technology.