(Kuching, 26th) IMSEA Education (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. and Hangzhou Put Education Group announced their cooperation in Sarawak, with an investment of RMB 100 million to promote the development of cross-border e-commerce and artificial intelligence (AI) education.
According to a press release issued by IMSEA Education, this initiative will make Sarawak the first overseas location for an Alibaba Digital Trade Industry Academy outside of China.
“This is an exemplary center for localized e-commerce and applied AI. The goal of this collaboration is to expand its model to the rest of Southeast Asia,” the statement noted.
This announcement was made on Thursday (September 25) at the 4th Global Digital Trade Expo and BRICS Economic Zones Dialogue, held at the Hangzhou International Expo Center.
The Global Digital Trade Expo is one of China’s most influential international platforms, aiming to drive innovation in digital business, AI technology, and cross-border industrial cooperation.
The investment of RMB 100 million will mainly be used for the development of localized education programs, recruitment and training of teaching staff, and the establishment of both physical and online teaching facilities in Kuching.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Dato Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian witnessed the signing, describing the initiative as a “policy victory” for the state.
“The Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), through the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, focuses on the digital industry, propelling private sector growth and bringing in new capital flows.
We implement fair education policies, recognize the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) from independent Chinese high schools, and are about to introduce free higher education to nurture talent capable of excelling in the global economy of the future.
We look forward to this jointly established Alibaba Digital Trade Industry Academy injecting strong momentum into Sarawak’s digital economy,” he said.
The first Alibaba Digital Trade Industry Academy outside China will focus on three strategic directions:
Through industrial internships, hands-on training, and cross-cultural exchanges, rapidly expand experiential learning.
Promote international academic exchanges and cooperation in education and research between Southeast Asian and Chinese (especially Sarawak and Zhejiang) universities.
Accelerate the application of AI through education and business to achieve educational and economic equity.
Hangzhou Put Education Group CEO Feng Diyang stated that Southeast Asia is expected to lead global e-commerce growth over the next decade.
“We chose to cooperate with Sarawak mainly because of its talent pool and friendly policies. Sarawak’s cultural and linguistic closeness to China and Southeast Asia provides an ideal springboard for Chinese entrepreneurs to enter the regional market, and vice versa,” he said.
He added that, given the diversity in Southeast Asia, IMSEA and Put Group will work with partners in Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok to deepen their understanding of local culture, consumer behavior, policies, and regulations.
Meanwhile, IMSEA Education (Malaysia) Chairman and University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) Design and Technology Centre Professor Wong Hwa Lit pointed out that IMSEA has recently reached joint education and research agreements with several Zhejiang universities, and UTS has just hosted computer science students from Zhejiang University of Media and Communications.
“The collaboration between IMSEA and Put Group at UTS is vital to the success of the Alibaba Digital Trade Industry Academy. We appreciate the support of the university's leadership, which allows us to establish a replicable model and promote it throughout the Southeast Asian network.”
Hangzhou Put Education Group is a key partner of Alibaba’s International Core Business Unit, specializing in digital marketing and cross-border e-commerce education.
Headquartered in Sarawak, IMSEA Education (Malaysia) is an educational organization offering professional training and experiential learning courses.
According to a press release issued by IMSEA Education, this initiative will make Sarawak the first overseas location for an Alibaba Digital Trade Industry Academy outside of China.
“This is an exemplary center for localized e-commerce and applied AI. The goal of this collaboration is to expand its model to the rest of Southeast Asia,” the statement noted.
This announcement was made on Thursday (September 25) at the 4th Global Digital Trade Expo and BRICS Economic Zones Dialogue, held at the Hangzhou International Expo Center.
The Global Digital Trade Expo is one of China’s most influential international platforms, aiming to drive innovation in digital business, AI technology, and cross-border industrial cooperation.
The investment of RMB 100 million will mainly be used for the development of localized education programs, recruitment and training of teaching staff, and the establishment of both physical and online teaching facilities in Kuching.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Dato Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian witnessed the signing, describing the initiative as a “policy victory” for the state.
“The Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), through the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, focuses on the digital industry, propelling private sector growth and bringing in new capital flows.
We implement fair education policies, recognize the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) from independent Chinese high schools, and are about to introduce free higher education to nurture talent capable of excelling in the global economy of the future.
We look forward to this jointly established Alibaba Digital Trade Industry Academy injecting strong momentum into Sarawak’s digital economy,” he said.
The first Alibaba Digital Trade Industry Academy outside China will focus on three strategic directions:
Through industrial internships, hands-on training, and cross-cultural exchanges, rapidly expand experiential learning.
Promote international academic exchanges and cooperation in education and research between Southeast Asian and Chinese (especially Sarawak and Zhejiang) universities.
Accelerate the application of AI through education and business to achieve educational and economic equity.
Hangzhou Put Education Group CEO Feng Diyang stated that Southeast Asia is expected to lead global e-commerce growth over the next decade.
“We chose to cooperate with Sarawak mainly because of its talent pool and friendly policies. Sarawak’s cultural and linguistic closeness to China and Southeast Asia provides an ideal springboard for Chinese entrepreneurs to enter the regional market, and vice versa,” he said.
He added that, given the diversity in Southeast Asia, IMSEA and Put Group will work with partners in Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok to deepen their understanding of local culture, consumer behavior, policies, and regulations.
Meanwhile, IMSEA Education (Malaysia) Chairman and University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) Design and Technology Centre Professor Wong Hwa Lit pointed out that IMSEA has recently reached joint education and research agreements with several Zhejiang universities, and UTS has just hosted computer science students from Zhejiang University of Media and Communications.
“The collaboration between IMSEA and Put Group at UTS is vital to the success of the Alibaba Digital Trade Industry Academy. We appreciate the support of the university's leadership, which allows us to establish a replicable model and promote it throughout the Southeast Asian network.”
Hangzhou Put Education Group is a key partner of Alibaba’s International Core Business Unit, specializing in digital marketing and cross-border e-commerce education.
Headquartered in Sarawak, IMSEA Education (Malaysia) is an educational organization offering professional training and experiential learning courses.