Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, has partnered with De La Salle University (DLSU) in the Philippines to equip students with advanced artificial intelligence and cloud computing technologies. The Alibaba Cloud Academic Empowerment Program (AAEP) aims to address the growing talent gap in AI and related fields in the Philippines by providing specialized training, certifications, and hands-on learning experiences in AI and cloud computing.
According to the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS), the country faces a significant talent shortage in AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity, underscoring the urgent need for continuous talent development.
“As AI and cloud computing reshape industries and create new opportunities, we are excited to collaborate with Alibaba Cloud to empower DLSU’s students as vital contributors to our economy and national development,” said Shirley Chu, Assistant Dean for External Affairs and Lasallian Mission, DLSU College of Computer Studies, “This partnership will provide our students with the tools and experiences needed to excel in these critical fields.”
The AAEP initiative collaborates directly with accredited educational institutions to provide student, educator, and researcher resources. Through this partnership, students and educators from DLSU will benefit from industry-relevant AI and cloud computing courses, hands-on labs, and opportunities to earn Alibaba Cloud certifications.
“Alibaba Cloud is dedicated to bringing digital intelligence to academic institutions in the Philippines through our academic empowerment program,” said Allen Guo, General Manager for the Philippines, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence. “We are excited to partner with DLSU, a prominent institution known for its exceptional technological expertise. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our efforts to cultivate a skilled digital workforce that meets the evolving demands of the labor market.”
The partnership introduces a series of training programs aimed at engaging the entire university community, including students from computer science and other disciplines. The program launched in April 2025 with its first session, AI Learning Journey, offering participants an introduction to AI fundamentals and Alibaba Cloud’s AI infrastructure, services, and solutions.
The next session, starting June 2025, will focus on techno the next session logies. Through hands-on lab sessions, students will gain experience with core cloud deployment concepts and infrastructure management. These workshops are particularly valuable for computer science students developing technical implementation skills. To these sessions, students will have access to online public lectures on accessing, regularly provided by Alibaba Cloud Academy. Through this comprehensive approach, participants gain foundational knowledge and practical expe, equipping them to thrive in the evolving digital landscape.
This collaboration marks a significant step in Alibaba Cloud’s mission to cultivate a skilled digital workforce in the Philippines and beyond, addressing the critical talent gap in AI and cloud computing.
Alibaba Cloud Academy, the company’s training and certification division, supports this initiative with over 250 online and offline certification courses and over 270 online hands-on labs in 19 languages. So far, it has trained more than 500,000 persons globally, with students from 500,000 personsng over 110 universities and educational organizations across 23 countries and regions.
