At Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), connectivity is a vital enabler of education, research, and digital transformation. Guided by the UTHM Strategic Plan, the university is committed to fostering an inclusive, technology-driven learning environment. But turning this vision into reality was not without its challenges.
The university’s dispersed layout, spanning over 1,000 acres in total, along with the growing demand for reliable internet access, made the need for action increasingly urgent. When the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) launched Phase 2 of the National Public University Wi-Fi Enhancement Initiative, UTHM saw an opportunity not only to upgrade its network infrastructure but also to set a new standard. What followed was a race against time and a remarkable success story.
From Scattered to Seamless, The Journey to Unified Digital Access
UTHM overcomes legacy hurdles, sprawling geography, and rising digital demands to deliver a future-ready campus network that is fast, stable, and built for everyone, everywhere.
A Growing Digital Expectation
With hybrid learning, cloud-based tools, and real-time collaboration now standard, students and lecturers alike needed uninterrupted access to digital platforms, on any device, anywhere on campus.
1,000-Acre Dispersed Campus Layout
UTHM’s campus is geographically dispersed, covering over 1,000 acres in total, meaning connectivity could not be resolved by simply boosting the signal in one area. A truly integrated, campus-wide solution was required.
Legacy Systems and Compatibility Risks
Existing infrastructure from multiple vendors created compatibility risks. Introducing a new system risked authentication failures, network instability, and performance bottlenecks if not handled with precision.
High Pressure, Tight Timeline
UTHM was determined to be the first university under the National Public University Wi-Fi Enhancement Intiative Phase 2 to complete deployment. The challenge wasn’t just in upgrading the network, it was doing it right, fast, and without interrupting university operations.
50 Days to Full Connectivity, The Nation’s Fastest Campus Wi-Fi Transformation
In line with the government’s initiative for strong fibre infrastructure and reliable last-mile connectivity, and recognising Wi-Fi as the most effective and affordable way to meet internet needs, UTHM identified the upgrade of its digital backbone, wireless coverage, and performance as essential. As it moves towards its Global Technopreneur University 2030 goal, a future-ready network is vital.
"The speed of deployment was truly beyond our expectations. To complete a campus-wide transformation with full Wi-Fi coverage in just 50 days, without compromising on quality, is a remarkable achievement. We’re now far better positioned to support our students’ digital needs across every corner of the university."
Comprehensive Wi-Fi 7 Deployment Across Campus
Over 1,200 Wi-Fi 7 Access Points, powered via PoE, were installed as part of a precision rollout that involved removing legacy hardware, upgrading cabling, and extending high-speed coverage to complex and often-overlooked areas such as open fields, prayer rooms, and communal spaces.
AI-Powered Campus Network Management with WIS
In support of UTHM’s vision for intelligent, sustainable digital operations, Ruijie’s Wireless Intelligent Service (WIS) provided centralised, AI-assisted control of the entire wireless infrastructure. From real-time troubleshooting to predictive analytics, WIS gave UTHM full remote visibility and control, reducing operational complexity.
Smart, Seamless Connectivity
Access Points with dynamic interference mitigation and real-time signal optimisation were deployed to eliminate blind spots and adapt to usage density. Ruijie’s solution integrated smoothly with UTHM’s existing network, ensuring uninterrupted service and seamless performance campus-wide.
Future-Proof Fibre Backbone with Resilient Switching
Over 190 new fibre-based switches (access, distribution, and core) were installed to ensure high throughput, ultra-low latency, and zero bottlenecks. These switches ensure not only ultra-low latency and redundancy, but also provide scalability for upcoming 5G and IoT deployments.
50 Days, Lightning-Fast Execution
From removing legacy hardware to upgrading structured cabling and commissioning final devices, the entire project, from site readiness to User Acceptance Testing, was completed in just 50 days. This made UTHM the fastest-deployed university in Phase 2 of the National Public University Wi-Fi Enhancement Initiative.
Realising the Digital Foundations of a Technopreneurial Future
UTHM has overcome past connectivity issues and moved closer to its goal of becoming a globally recognised technopreneurial university by 2030. The upgraded network now underpins research, teaching, and innovation, key to its long-term strategy. This transformation also aligns with national efforts to build digitally inclusive public institutions, reinforcing the focus on Wi-Fi as the most effective connectivity solution.
100% Campus Wi-Fi Coverage
Every building, dormitory, hall, and open space is now covered with high-performance Wi-Fi, eliminating the connectivity gaps that once disrupted academic life. Since the upgrade, overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and staff has validated both the solution and its implementation.
Proactive Network Health Check Through WIS
WIS has transformed UTHM’s IT operations from reactive to proactive. The platform not only visualises AP performance in real time, but also identifies interference patterns and suggests optimisation paths, dramatically reducing IT workload and troubleshooting time.
Fastest Completion Among Peers
UTHM emerged as a top performer in Phase 2 of the National Public University Wi-Fi Enhancement Initiative by the government, completing full deployment and user acceptance testing (UAT) ahead of all other Phase 2 universities.
Built for Tomorrow’s Innovation Needs
With a high-resilience fibre backbone, intelligent wireless optimisation, and cloud-based operations, UTHM’s network is now fully prepared for future digital innovations, from smart classrooms to campus-wide IoT initiatives. The use of PoE for Access Points further enhanced the rollout by reducing cabling costs and enabling faster, more flexible deployment across the campus.
"I was initially sceptical, but after seeing the results and speaking directly with students, I’m genuinely impressed. The fast and quality-driven delivery at UTHM proves that Wi-Fi is indeed the right solution to address campus connectivity issues."
UTHM’s network transformation is a testament to what’s possible when urgency meets vision. In under two months, the university moved from fragmented coverage to a fully unified, next-generation wireless campus.
This is more than just a connectivity upgrade. It represents a significant step towards achieving UTHM’s mission of becoming a leading technical university, driven by inclusive technology and smart learning environments. They accomplished this faster than anyone had anticipated.
Solution Deployment Supported by:
