Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence arm of Alibaba Group, inaugurated the Alibaba Cloud Academy Training Center in the MEA region, marking a significant milestone in empowering customers and partners to enhance their digital proficiency.

Situated in Dubai Internet City, a renowned global tech ecosystem under TECOM Group PJSC, the training centre is strategically positioned to cater to the burgeoning demand for digital expertise. With a focus on delivering training, workshops, and certifications, the centre aims to bolster Alibaba Cloud’s ecosystem partners and customers in their digital transformation journey. It joins a thriving community of over 3,500 customers, including Fortune 500s, SMEs, and start-ups, contributing to regional digital advancement from Dubai Internet City.

Partnering with Aladdin Cyber Security, a leading provider of security services and solutions, the Training Center is set to host monthly training and enablement programs covering a diverse range of cutting-edge technologies, from AI to database management to elastic computing. These initiatives are part of a broader endeavour to equip ecosystem partners and customers with the latest Alibaba Cloud technologies and cultivate top digital talents.

“The launch of the training center showcases our commitment and continued investment into the MEA region to help businesses transform digitally and achieve business success in the long term. We’re committed to growing together with our local partners and customers and providing them with the latest cloud computing and AI technologies to enable them to innovate and grow their businesses in the MEA region,” said Eric Wan, General Manager of Alibaba Cloud Middle East, Turkey & Africa.

“Digital transformation is the engine propelling global economic growth in the 21st century. To sustain its positive impact requires a workforce adept at navigating and shaping its rapidly evolving demands,” said Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President – Commercial at TECOM Group, on behalf of Dubai Internet City. “By investing in upskilling and training talent on cutting-edge technologies, we can remain agile, innovative and competitive, in line with the vision of the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’. Alibaba Cloud’s physical training centre will empower our global tech community of professionals and entrepreneurs as well as countless more to power regional economic diversification efforts and innovation by remain ahead of the digital curve.”

Alibaba Cloud aims to train 5,000 individuals over the next five years in the MEA Region through this initiative. Complementing its virtual training programs, the brick-and-mortar training centre signifies Alibaba Cloud’s commitment to nurturing digital talents globally.

Since April 2023, the Alibaba Cloud Academy program has trained over 60,000 individuals worldwide, offering over 300 online & offline certification courses and collaborating with over 300 global partners.

Alibaba Cloud has been a prominent cloud services provider in the UAE and the wider Middle East region since 2016, with a robust local ecosystem covering various sectors. Aladdin Cyber Security, established in Dubai in 2023, brings top-tier security expertise to enhance digital resilience in the region.

Dubai Internet City, part of TECOM Group’s portfolio of business districts, reinforces its status as the largest tech hub in the region, fostering innovation and driving economic growth through strategic partnerships and initiatives.