Broadband boost
> PM launches 100 gigabytes per second network for varsity research and education sector
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak yesterday launched the Malaysian Research and Education Network (MYREN-X), a broadband service with a speed of 100 gigabytes per second, that is aimed at enhancing the learning and research process in public universities.
The initiative, first announced by Najib during the 2017 Budget tabling, is to ensure cyber infrastructure at all public higher education institutions is on par with other developed nations.
MYREN-X will be available in 20 public tertiary institutions nationwide and will be expanded to other learning institutions in future.
Najib said the cyber infrastructure would help boost the country’s education and research sector.
“I am confident that MYREN-X will not only provide us with a modern and advanced cyber infrastructure, but also create a widespread research and education ecosystem. I urge members of the universities to utilise the infrastructure for the benefit of all, including by becoming application creators,” he said during the launch at Universiti Malaya yesterday.
Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak.
The research and education network, or REN, is a collaboration by researchers and educators around the world to benefit research and education communities within a country.
Najib said MYREN-X is an upgrade to the MYREN programme launched 12 years ago in 12 public universities nationwide.
However, the older version was incapable of supporting research and education activities on par with the top 50 universities in the world.