Education network for e-commerce success
Business School recently announced the establishment of the Global E-Commerce Talent (GET) Network, in collaboration with universities and training institutions from Malaysia and around the world.
Focused on educating and equipping individuals with the skills needed for e-commerce success in the digital economy, the GET Network builds on Alibaba’s GET programme to offer a full education ecosystem to network members.
Malaysia is the founding member of the initiative and makes up the largest number of educational institutions from a single country which include the Education Ministry, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Sdn Bhd and 18 public and private universities, colleges and training agencies within the network.
The initiative was formalised in the presence of 1,500 educators and government officials at a ceremony officiated by Yang Jun, Counsellor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China; Guizhou Province governor Shen Yiqin; Asean secretary-general Datuk Lim Jock Hoi; and Brian Wong, Alibaba Group vice-president representing Alibaba Business School.
It was launched under the auspices of the 11th annual China-Asean Education Cooperation Week, given the important inroads it will help make in e-commerce education across the region.
In driving the initiative, Alibaba Business School gathered renowned universities and training institutes from across the region to jointly establish the network, which will develop quality courses, grow teaching platforms and train teachers to empower their educational institutions to participate in the construction of the future digital economy.
While the network is initially made up of institutions which have already taken part in the GET programme, plans are in place to bring more members on board from across Asean and beyond in the future.
“Alibaba Business School is proud to be driving an initiative so vital to the future of the digital economy,” said Wong.
“Our mission is to make it easy to do business anywhere and the GET Network is a natural extension of that. We are committed to addressing the shortage of e-commerce talent in important markets and, by empowering educators around the world, we have created a platform for youth and SMEs to understand and learn how to succeed in this dynamic industry.
“We are excited to be working even more closely with our key education partners to help make this all possible.”
Professor Dr Choong Chee Keong, vicepresident of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), a founding member of the GET Network, said: “As the first GET member in Asia, UTAR recognised and understood from the very beginning that this programme could make a big difference for e-commerce businesses and talent in Malaysia.”
He added: “GET has helped us enhance our offering to ensure students attend the most relevant, up-to-date courses and learning for e-commerce and digital business success.
“Given how dynamic the industry is and how quickly demands for new skills are emerging, this will be an ongoing process, particularly as Malaysia’s Digital Free Trade Zone continues to grow in importance.”
Dr Charoen Chinwanit, vice-president of Thailand’s Burapha University, which is also a founding member of the network, said: “Educators have an important role to play in the development of Thailand’s digital economy. It is our responsibility to ensure we are delivering what the next generation of ecommerce talent needs to help businesses succeed and evolve.
“Burapha University has worked with both Alibaba Business School and the Thai government on various initiatives to accelerate the level of digital proficiency.
“The GET Network will ensure our faculty and students remain at the forefront of ecommerce developments, and that Thailand has the talent it needs to meet changing demands of consumers and businesses alike.”
For details on the GET Network and GET Programme, visit https://get.alibaba.com