Alibaba Cloud Sets Up New Digital Skills Training Centre In Dubai Internet City

Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, has officially opened the doors to its Alibaba Cloud Academy Training Centre in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. This new facility, situated in Dubai Internet City—a vibrant global tech ecosystem under TECOM Group PJSC—aims to significantly enhance the digital skills of its ecosystem partners and customers. The initiative is set to play a pivotal role in supporting regional digital transformation efforts by offering a broad range of training, workshops, and certifications.

The Training Centre is strategically positioned to benefit over 3,500 customers, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to SMEs and startups, all of which are instrumental in driving digital transformation from Dubai Internet City. In collaboration with Aladdin Cyber Security, a leading provider of security services and solutions, Alibaba Cloud plans to conduct monthly training and enablement programs. These sessions will cover various advanced technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), database management, and elastic computing.

These educational initiatives are aligned with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the UAE Centennial 2071. Both frameworks aim to double Dubai's economy within the next decade and establish a future-oriented, knowledge-based economy through significant contributions to digital transformation.

"The launch of the training centre showcases our commitment and continued investment into the MEA region to help businesses transform digitally and achieve business success in the long term," stated Eric Wan, General Manager of Alibaba Cloud Middle East, Turkey & Africa. He emphasized the importance of growing together with local partners and customers by providing them with the latest cloud computing and AI technologies.

Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President – Commercial at TECOM Group, representing Dubai Internet City, highlighted the critical role of digital transformation as a driver for global economic growth. He noted, "By investing in upskilling and training talent on cutting-edge technologies, we can remain agile, innovative and competitive." Al Malik further elaborated on how Alibaba Cloud’s physical training centre will empower professionals and entrepreneurs within the global tech community to stay ahead of digital advancements.

Training for Future Success

With an ambitious goal to train 5,000 individuals over the next five years in the MEA Region, Alibaba Cloud is not only focusing on in-person training but also complementing these efforts with virtual training programs. These initiatives have been part of Alibaba Cloud’s strategy to empower digital talents globally. Since April 2023, the Alibaba Cloud Academy program has trained over 60,000 people worldwide. It offers more than 300 online & offline certification courses across 16 different professional certifications. Additionally, participants have access to 250 online hands-on labs in collaboration with over 300 associated global partners from the Alibaba Cloud Academy.

This strategic move by Alibaba Cloud not only underscores its dedication to fostering digital expertise in the MEA region but also highlights Dubai's growing importance as a hub for technological innovation and digital transformation. Through such initiatives, Alibaba Cloud continues to support businesses and individuals in adapting to the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

With inputs from WAM