Alibaba Business School Initiates Global E-Commerce Talent Network

Alibaba Business School announced the establishment of the Global E-Commerce Talent (GET) Network, in collaboration with universities and training institutions from 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 program to offer a full education ecosystem to network members.

The initiative was formalized in front of 1,500 educators and government officials at a ceremony officiated by Mr. Yang Jun, Counsellor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PRC, Ms. Shen Yiqin, Governor of Guizhou Province, Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN and Mr. Brian Wong, Vice President of Alibaba Group representing Alibaba Business School. It was launched under the auspices of the 11th annual China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week.

While the network is initially made up of institutions who have already taken part in the GET program, plans are in place to bring further 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. Our mission is to make it easy to do business anywhere and the GET Network is a natural extension of that. We are committing 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,” said  Wong of Alibaba Group.

“Educators have an important role to play in the development of Thailand’s digital economy,” said  Charoen Chinwanit, Vice President of Thailand’s Burapha University, which is also a founding member of the network. “It is our responsibility to ensure we are delivering what the next generation of e-commerce talent needs to help businesses succeed and evolve. With a view to this, Burapha University has worked with both Alibaba Business School and the Government of Thailand on various initiatives to accelerate that level of digital proficiency. The GET Network will ensure our faculty and students remain at the forefront of e-commerce developments, and that Thailand has the talent it needs to meet the changing demands of consumers and businesses alike.”

Network members will receive access to Advice and assistance in setting up a GET Start-up System Incubator; GET Online Learning Platforms (including course materials and multimedia learning assets) and Simulation Platforms; GET’s online community of experts; Online and offline teacher training; and The chance to visit Alibaba’s headquarters.

The network is an extension of Alibaba Business School’s GET Program, which was founded to bring awareness, innovation and entrepreneurship to cross-border e-commerce through first-rate education and training. The GET Program aims to enable young entrepreneurs and SMEs to better compete in global markets. Conducted by experts from Alibaba Business School and industry practitioners, it includes up to date theoretical and practical training for local education professionals on ecommerce ecosystem, operation and entrepreneurship, offering a holistic view on the global e-commerce system and the digitization of national economies. Certified trainers then use the resources and knowledge acquired to integrate their learnings into e-commerce courses available at their respective institutions.

To date, the GET Program has benefitted 65 education partners, and having trained more than 260 lecturers, 1,600 SMEs and almost 7,000 students. The beneficiaries have come from a diverse set of countries, including Australia, China, India, Israel, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Turkey. The strongest demand so far has come from Malaysia and Thailand.  For Thailand, besides Burapha University and University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce which as founding members, other renowned education institutions also joined GET network: Kasetsart University, Chiang Mai University, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Dhurakit Pundit University, Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University and Sripatum University.