Alibaba Cloud Academy Skills Center in UTAR hones cloud computing and AI skills

Another testament to UTAR’s commitment to academic excellence, technological innovation, and digital transformation was the opening of the Alibaba Cloud Academy Skills Center, located at the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology building of UTAR Kampar Campus.

The opening ceremony was held on 13 February 2025 and graced by UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, and Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Senior Training Advisor Dr Jawad. Also in attendance were Alibaba Cloud (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Malaysia Marketing Lead Ms Elaine Ooi Siew Ying, Alibaba Cloud (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Solution Architect Mr Lewis Gooi, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT) Dean Prof Ts Dr Liew Soung Yue, FICT Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Assoc Prof Ts Dr Cheng Wai Khuen, Alibaba Cloud Academy Training Operation Specialist Ms Winnie Mah Sin Yin, and Alibaba Cloud (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Solution Architect Mr Tan Chin Chun.

Prof Dato’ Ewe expressed, “We are delighted with this partnership with Alibaba Cloud (Malaysia) because this strengthens our effort to elevate digital competency among our students and staff. More so, we are looking forward to seeing this centre becoming a hub for people of all ages, professions, and walks of life to come together and discover the power of cloud computing and the latest technological advancements. The centre will enable users to explore the exhibits, take part in free training, and acquire and build in-demand job skills. Beyond that, students will also gain an enriched learning experience as they further develop skills related to cloud computing.”

Dr Cheng also explained, “This centre is equipped with 22 sets of Alibaba Cloud Workspace terminal devices, paid certification, Train-the-Trainer (TTT) training and academy trainer delivery; all donated by Alibaba Cloud Malaysia. The Alibaba Cloud Workspace AS05 is a thin client device developed by Alibaba Cloud as part of its Alibaba Cloud Computer ecosystem. It is designed to provide secure, high-performance cloud computing access, while being lightweight and power-efficient. The key features of the Alibaba Cloud workspace solution are Cloud-Based Computing, Compact and Lightweight, Security & Management, Performance & Connectivity, and Use Cases.”

Following the opening ceremony, a workshop enlightened participants on the benefits of training in accelerating cloud and AI excellence, insights into the role of Alibaba Cloud Academy and the impact of its cloud technology solutions in various organisations.

At the workshop, Prof Liew delivered a welcome speech, saying, “This partnership marks another milestone for the university and the faculty, as it testifies to our continuous effort in providing students with various industry insights and enhancing their learning experiences in cutting-edge technologies. This is important because cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) have become an indispensable pillar in today’s digital economy. Therefore, today’s workshop will provide a unique opportunity for students to gain knowledge from experts, explore real-world applications, and understand the journey from start-up ideas to sustainable tech solutions. So, make the most of this workshop and ask questions because the skills and knowledge you acquire today will be more than just broadening your knowledge but also enhancing your future career prospects.”

Additionally, Ms Elaine Ooi emphasised, “We believe it is crucial for students, the future leaders of our nation, and future talents, to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to thrive in this dynamic landscape. This skills centre is more than just a space. It is the launch pad where students can gain practical hands-on experience with the latest cloud technologies and delve into the fascinating world of AI. At Alibaba Cloud, AI is a key focus and we believe it holds immense potential to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. So we are eager for this collaboration to bring about innovative training sessions and ground-breaking discoveries because it is our commitment to investing in the future – a commitment in moving Malaysia forward. We hope this centre to foster connectivity and creativity, and drive progress in AI and cloud computing.”