KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 26): Alibaba Cloud Intelligence (Alibaba Cloud), the cloud technology subsidiary of Alibaba Group entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Universiti Malaya (UM) in its efforts to build up local talent in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and data centre management through joint workshops and internship programmes.

Conducted through the Alibaba Cloud Academic Empowerment Program (AAEP), UM students and faculty will be given access to Alibaba Cloud Academy’s 300 online and offline certification courses and training sessions from AI to database management through the Alibaba Cloud Skill Centre located in UM’s main library.

Students will also have access to Alibaba Cloud Academy’s cloud computing and e-learning resources, such as special seminars, lectures and interactive workshops.

Universiti Malaya deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation) Kaharudin Dimyati described the skill centre in meeting its goals of enhancing UM’s cloud computing curriculum to meet the demands of the industry, as well as equipping their students and faculty with skills in cloud computing technology.

Kaharudin also noted the mutual benefit of the skill centre in “facilitating collaborative workshops and training activities that foster knowledge exchange and skill development among internal and external participants”.

Additionally, Alibaba Cloud announced its internship programme with UM, entitled Future Star, a three to six-month paid internship programme with the former.

This internship programme opens up positions like business development manager, solution architect and customer success manager to provide students with real-world experiences as they work alongside a coach who will mentor them throughout the programme.

This programme was designed as part of Alibaba Cloud’s localisation strategy to build up the Malaysian cloud industry talent to train and hire locally. Finishing the programme provides students with an assessment and certification, as well as allows those who are willing to join Alibaba Cloud immediately after if the position is available.

Kaharudin said the internship programme is a key aspect of this collaboration, as it “[bridges] the gap between academia and industry [in] preparing our students for successful careers in the tech sector”.

Alibaba Cloud regional general manager (Indonesia and Malaysia) Sean Yuan added that the launch of the skill centre as part of their strategy for building a local presence by cultivating new talent in cloud and technology. 

“I am especially excited at the prospect of our long-term goal of nurturing the next generation of a sustainable pool of digital talent, it is also part of our vision that we share with the people of Malaysia in becoming Southeast Asia's next technology hub,” said Sean.