RM5 mln for smart ICT infrastructure at UMS
KOTA KINABALU: Ministry of Communication and Multimedia (MCM) has allocated RM5 million for the implementation of the Smart Infrastructure ICT at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), a project aimed at refurbishing the ICT infrastructure of the university and for the state, as a whole.
Its caretaker minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Salleh Said Keruak, said the RM5 million is an initial stage funding and allocated to UMS through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“The project would include fibre network installation that would connect buildings and premises, as well as the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) in strategic locations for security monitoring of the UMS campus,” Salleh said in his officiating speech at the launching of the said project yesterday.
According to him, the project would help UMS achieve the Smart Campus (Smart Eco-UMS 4.0) goal and that it could also serve as a platform to process incidents and analyse data.
The project will form a strategic cooperation between UMS, MCM (through MCMC), Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), companies as well as other related bodies, he added.
This will turn UMS into a role model in the digital technology industry and will elevate the university to become one of the most prominent higher learning institutions in the country.
Meanwhile, UMS vice chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. D Kamarudin D Mudin, said the project would bridge any digital gaps among the UMS students and will also prepare them as they step foot into the digital era.
This is in line with the Sabah Long Term Strategic Plan 20162035 (Sabah LEAP), whereby educational and ICT developments had been enshrined in the state's social development policy.
“Realising this fact, UMS, as the pioneer of education excellence and socio-economic development in Sabah, had taken the initiative to create a smart community-university by starting the Smart Eco-UMS 4.0 project.
“This project will be implemented through the development of the information technology infrastructure as well as communication, in a bid to enhance the university's services from the teaching, learning and researching aspect,” D Kamarudin said.
Also present at the event was MCMC chief operating officer, Datuk Dr. Mazlan Ismail.