KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 1,200 students are expected to benefit from a tripartite agreement between Ericsson, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB).
The education initiative on 5G in Malaysia will help educate local students on 5G and emerging technologies during the programme's first year.
It will enable UTM students to participate and contribute to the country's digital economy and Industry 4.0 transformation.
Ericsson will also open its Ericsson Educate platform to UTM students to access learning material on critical technologies.
This includes selective subjects covered at an introductory level include 5G networks, artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, blockchain, cloud computing, data science, Internet of Things (IoT) and telecommunications.
The collaboration will also provide students and lecturers with access to quality digital learning resources that draw on Ericsson's 145-year experience in telecommunications and ICT.
Content from the Ericsson Educate portal will be provided at no cost and integrated to complement UTM's online-based degrees and micro-credentials programs.
Ericsson will also train UTM faculty members to use the course materials as part of their teaching subjects.
Additionally, Ericsson and DNB would provide subject matter experts as guest lecturers on relevant topics pre-selected by UTM.
DNB will create opportunities for course participants to join the company as interns upon completion of relevant courses potentially.
UTM vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Ts Dr Ahmad Fauzi Ismail said producing world-class talent by developing high-quality graduates was UTM's top strategic thrust and priority.
"Our partnership with Ericsson and DNB is to integrate industry-driven content into our curriculum to help enhance our graduates' skills and knowledge to equip them to perform in the IR4.0 working environment effectively," he said.
He said UTM's partnership with Ericsson was also part of the university's obligation to support the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint, promote lifelong learning, enabling Malaysians to meet the skills and competencies needed for a developed economy.
"This will also maximise the potential and excellence of individuals in the workforce through reskilling and upskilling opportunities," he added.
DNB chief corporate affairs officer Zuraida Jamaluddin said 5G would be a game-changer in transforming Malaysia's digital economy.
"It is also poised to improve the way we work and play, the way we innovate and the way we learn. With lower latencies, faster speeds and AR/VR capabilities, 5G will allow immersive learning environment and encourage innovation in many aspects of education."
Zuraida said the accelerated 5G deployment and cheaper wholesale prices made possible through DNB's supply-led approach would enable the participation of students from all walks of life.
"This will help bridge the digital divide and provide equity in education, particularly among the underserved communities.
"We are indeed excited about this collaboration with UTM and Ericsson where DNB, through this initiative, will provide subject matter experts and consultations, as well as offering internship opportunities to qualified course participants upon their graduation from UTM."
Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh head David Hägerbro said the initiative strengthened Ericsson's continued collaboration with UTM in research and development and would accelerate Malaysia's IR 4.0 agenda.
"It is a significant step by Ericsson together with DNB towards developing a 5G ready workforce in Malaysia that can leverage the potential of 5G to support the government's MyDigital vision.
"Our investment in UTM seeks to accelerate Malaysia's digital transformation, which includes building a skilled 5G-ready workforce.
"By supplementing their ongoing studies with Ericsson Educate content as well as DNB's industry insights, they will strengthen their ICT skills and enhance the availability of 5G ready talent in the country," added Hägerbro.