Alibaba Group has launched the Alibaba Talent Programme in Singapore with support from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
The programme aims to equip postgraduate students with critical research and development (R&D) skillsets through gaining practical work experience on projects with Alibaba.
In a press statement released on Sept 3, NTU said the programme is open to Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents (PR) who graduated from any local university or one of the select top-ranked universities around the world. The first intake will start in January 2019.
As PhD students, the programme participants will spend part of their studies at one or more of Alibaba’s research facilities. This will provide the students with the opportunity to participate in exciting research projects led by Alibaba and universities here, supported with access to large data samples and valuable business scenarios from Alibaba.
“Through this programme, which is supported by NTU Singapore and EDB, we want to identify and nurture the next generation of R&D talent from Singapore and further strengthen the research community here,” said Xiangwen Liu, Senior Director of Alibaba Technology Strategy Department. “Developing new and disruptive ideas is crucial, and we are committed to nurturing talent who would be the driving force of the next-wave of technology innovation.”
Professor Lam Khin Yong, Co-Chair of Alibaba-NTU Singapore Joint Research Institute and NTU’s Vice President (Research), said, “As NTU transforms into a Smart Campus, we will develop and testbed many of these digital technologies, giving our students an opportunity to be involved in projects with industry relevance.”
“All our PhD students involved at the Alibaba-NTU Singapore Joint Research Institute will also have hands-on experience in developing and deploying systems critical for the smooth running of a Smart Campus and a Smart Nation.”
The Alibaba Talent Programme is under the auspices of EDB’s Industrial Postgraduate Programme (IPP), which seeks to equip postgraduate students with critical R&D skill-sets through practical work experience on projects with a local or multinational company in Singapore.
Mr Ang Chin Tah, Director of Infocomms and Media at EDB, said, “We are delighted that Alibaba has chosen to partner Singapore in training a future generation of AI experts. This will help us deepen our bench of AI experts to create new cutting-edge technologies from Singapore.”
Apart from the financing of their PhD studies, the programme participants will each receive a monthly stipend of S$5,000, with mentorship by a main supervisor from the enrolled university and a co-supervisor from Alibaba.
Outstanding scholars admitted to the programme will also have the opportunity to continue their journey with Alibaba as a permanent employee, among other compelling benefits.