HKU Business School Partners with Alibaba Cloud to Introduce First Undergraduate Credit Course in Cloud Computing
(18 April 2023, Hong Kong) Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, together with HKU Business School, today jointly announced the first credit course “Cloud Computing: Essential and Application in Entrepreneurship” for undergraduate students, exploring “a business world on cloud”. Alibaba Cloud is the first enterprise partner of HKU Business School to participate in credit course design and teaching.
Through this unique partnership, the course will enable students to experience real-life scenarios involving cloud technology while providing them with technological resources and industry insights. The partnership underscores Alibaba Cloud’s commitment to empowering digital talent development in Hong Kong.
Alibaba Cloud and HKU Business School signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will also grant benefits to students including free registration in the Alibaba Cloud Certified Associate – Cloud Computing exam; access to over 300 AAEP (Alibaba Cloud Academic Empowerment Program) online courses in cloud computing, big data and artificial intelligence (AI); and resources for teachers and students participating in the course to experience first-hand how cloud computing works.
“The MoU that we are signing today focuses on nurturing future talent and leaders, a mutual effort by HKU Business School and Alibaba Cloud to provide students with various learning opportunities. This impeccable programme will give our students a chance to learn from some of the most talented professionals in the industry and gain insights into the latest trends and developments, equipping themselves with real world skills. We look forward to a fruitful and productive partnership with Alibaba Cloud, and creating positive impacts in the world together.” said Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean and Chair of Economics of HKU Business School.
“As Hong Kong’s continues to develop into a premier innovation and technology hub, we are delighted to be partnering with the HKU Business School to advance local talent development and prepare students for a world in which cloud technology will play a key role in delivering both business and societal value. We look forward to the launch of our course and continuing to find new and innovative ways to promote technology adoption and empower the next generation of business leaders,” said Leo Liu, General Manager of Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Philippines, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.
The course “Cloud Computing: Essential and Application in Entrepreneurship” with a total of six course credits, will be available starting in September 2023, with around 40-50 undergraduate students from HKU Business School as well as other faculties expected to participate in the course each semester. The curriculum will leverage Alibaba Cloud Academy resources to introduce key cloud computing concepts as well as apply real industry case studies to help students learn. Each course will conclude with students developing a business plan that incorporates cloud technologies.
Alongside the course, regular seminars and workshops will be held for students to understand how cloud computing can help the business community in Hong Kong thrive through digital transformation. Topics including Web3, FinTech and sector-specific case studies will be featured in these events.
Alibaba Cloud has committed in supporting talent development in Hong Kong. In November 2022, the cloud provider launched its Cloud Talent Program in the city providing over 2,000 students with access to more than 300 free training courses covering cloud computing, data analytics, AI and machine learning, and helping them obtain relevant Alibaba Cloud certifications.
Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean and Chair of Economics of HKU Business School (left), and Leo Liu, General Manager of Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Philippines, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence (right), signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)