USM- FIRST IPT WITH 4G FACILITIES

 

PENANG, 5 JAN – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is the first Public Institution of Higher Learning (IPTA) that has been equipped with 4G internet services, thereby providing internet access to its 20,000 students.
The technological facilities were provided with the cooperation of YTL Communications and they come with an audio system and coverage for the entire USM campus.
This broadband facility was specially brought in to USM by YTL Communications under the Education Partner Programme (EPP).
USM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said the facilities can help in knowledge development and facilitate thousands of students in surfing the internet to enhance their learning process.
He said that this will enable the campus community to have knowledge at their fingertips and that internet access will no longer be exclusive where only certain people can benefit from these facilities while those who cannot afford this service are marginalised.
"Everyone can enjoy these facilities irrespective of whether they are in the cities or the suburbs. This is an excellent example of the university’s efforts to ensure that there equitable development," he said.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of YTL Communications, Yasmeen Mahmood said broadband service has become important in the learning process as it has the capacity to help develop a more progressive future generation.
He added that, YTL Communications was proud to provide the 4G service for an APEX University, and in this way create positive changes in the academic environment for USM students.
As part of their efforts in providing high quality broadband service to university students such as those in USM, they will also provide 300MB of free access per month for a period of three years.
Although YTL is currently providing the services only at the main USM campus, plans are underway to widen the network to other USM campuses in the future.
On another note, the 4G access will provide internet services that are five times faster than the present 3G facilities.
a specific framework has been drawn up to ensure that this aspect is included in the university’s development."
He said that one of the measures taken was to help the marginalised, including the less fortunate and the physically disabled to live a normal life.
“For example, we have set up a school in Merbok, Kedah to help people who are less fortunate to obtain a better education.
"This effort has paid off as we can see that so far, more than 50 students from this school have succeeded in pursuing their education at tertiary level," he said.
The Vice-Chancellor also said that USM has to focus on this in order to uphold the name of the university. In this way it can have a significant impact and play the role of what a university truly ought to be.
Meanwhile, at the same event, the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) and the Penang Society Development Association made a special contribution of a wheel chair and a laptop to USM student, Kumanan a/l Kandasamy.
Kumanan, a second-year Social Science student was selected to receive aid because of his difficult circumstances, including that of caring for his old and physically disabled parents.
The laptop he received has been equipped with special software for the visually impaired.
At the same event, USM and YTL Communication Sdn. Bhd inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable USM staff and students to enjoy the 4G internet network services.