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In October 2024, Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance in Malaysia, in collaboration with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). Malaysia is the 11th country to initiate this programme, placing it among global leaders advancing cloud education and digital workforce development.
The Tech Alliance brings together industry leaders, educational institutions, and government bodies to bridge the gap between education and employment, fostering a highly skilled workforce for Malaysia’s digital economy.
At the heart of this mission is the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), a Premier Digital Tech Institution (PDTI) that has collaborated with AWS since 2017.
APU has woven AWS tools into its technology degrees, notably in Cloud Engineering, ensuring that students gain both theoretical knowledge and industry-validated cloud skills. “Over the years, AWS has been a tremendous partner in modernising our curriculum,” shared Mr Amad Arshad, Senior Lecturer at APU’s School of Computing (SoC). “From cloud environments to certification discounts, AWS has provided invaluable resources that transform our students into job-ready graduates.”
A cornerstone of this collaboration is the AWS Cloud Club at APU, a thriving hub of over 800 members who actively participate in cloud-focused meetups, hackathons, and workshops. Club events like “AWS Student Community Day” and “AWS Tech Sprint” have provided students with hands-on experience, supported by cloud environments and expert insights from AWS. Mr Amad, also the club’s advisor, noted, “The AWS Cloud Club is the only club from Malaysia featured on AWS’s official portal—a recognition that speaks to the commitment and enthusiasm of our students.”
Alumni Success As A Model for Future Graduates
Yong Yung Hao’s achievements inspired his peers and led him to secure a role as a cloud engineer at eCloudValley Malaysia, where he advanced quickly, achieving the AWS Solution Architect Professional certification.
The success of APU’s AWS partnership is exemplified by alumnus Yong Yung Hao, who was recently highlighted on AWS’s Public Sector Blog. Yong, a graduate of APU’s ICT diploma programme, secured multiple AWS certifications, including Cloud Practitioner and Solutions Architect Associate, and served as Malaysia’s first AWS Cloud Club captain. His achievements inspired his peers and led him to secure a role as a cloud engineer at eCloudValley Malaysia, where he advanced quickly, achieving the AWS Solution Architect Professional certification—a rare feat for someone at the start of their career.
Reflecting on his journey, Yong said, “Collaborating with AWS during the AWS Jam at APU was pivotal. The hands-on challenges and insights from AWS Partners showcased my skills and opened new career doors.” Mr Amad added, “Yong’s journey from student to cloud engineer is a testament to the real-world impact of our curriculum and AWS partnership. His achievements illustrate the transformative power of the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance.”
Building a Brighter Future with AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance
With the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance, APU’s commitment to cloud education will continue to grow. The alliance extends AWS’s training programmes, including AWS Academy, to prepare students for industry-recognised certifications and in-demand digital careers. By bridging real-world tech training and academia, the alliance is creating a skilled talent pipeline to support Malaysia’s digital transformation.
“Being featured on AWS’s blog is a milestone for APU,” said Mr Amad. “It recognises our dedication to equipping students with industry-relevant skills and reflects our successful partnership with AWS. This visibility inspires our students to actively engage in future AWS collaborations.”
The AWS Cloud Club at APU recently showcased its work at AWS Cloud Day Malaysia 2024, where club captain Kai Yong Lai was selected to speak at a developer session—a testament to the dedication and skill APU students bring to cloud computing.
With APU’s commitment to integrating cloud computing into its curriculum and the support of AWS, the university is set to produce graduates who meet the demands of Malaysia’s tech industry. As a key member of the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance, APU is helping to drive Malaysia’s digital future, one cloud-skilled graduate at a time.