Alibaba Cloud in data science pact with NUS and EZ-Link

EZ-Link
Credit: Geroithe / Flickr.com

Alibaba Cloud, the National University of Singapore (NUS), and EZ-Link, Singapore’s largest issuer of Contactless e-Purse Application (CEPAS) compliant cards, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on bolstering the University’s data science curriculum and paving the way for a pilot data analytics project with EZ-Link.

The collaboration also aims to help build local IT skillsets, meet enterprise demands and support the research and development of advanced technologies in the Big Data era.

Alibaba Cloud will contribute $500,000 in cloud credits towards the use of its cloud platform and data centers by students and researchers from NUS for academic and research purposes. IT experts from Alibaba Cloud will also offer hands-on lessons on the use of Alibaba Cloud’s platform for NUS staff and students.

In addition, Alibaba Cloud and NUS will collaborate in the areas of cloud computing, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and interactive digital media, as well as identifying opportunities for joint research projects and information exchange.

The collaboration provides a platform for all three organizations to work collectively on harnessing data and translating it into ready-to-implement solutions which will positively impact Singaporeans and businesses. Alibaba Cloud and NUS are currently working with EZ-Link to analyze card usage patterns across the EZ-Link card schemes, service touch points, and customer segments to improve customer experience and create better services via real-time insights.

“Singapore has been a pioneer in fostering innovation and technological disruption in Asia, and we are proud to contribute to the nation’s development through our partnership with NUS and EZ-Link,” said Ethan Yu, vice president of Alibaba Group and general manager of Alibaba Cloud Global. “By leveraging the expertise of academia, the government and enterprises, we intend to raise the bar in nurturing talent, business and communities to reach new frontiers of the digital economy.”

“Alibaba Cloud’s global technological prowess, NUS’ growing digital know-how and EZ-Link’s cashless expertise will provide a robust framework to convert usage pattern data into actionable intelligence,” said EZ-Link CEO Nicholas Lee. “It will move our customers into an era whereby they will be served according to their behavior, interests and needs.”

“NUS contributes to Singapore’s vision of becoming a digital economy through our University’s strengths – creating value through fundamental and applied research, and training the next generation of digital talent. By working with Alibaba Cloud, a global cloud leader, we can tap into its extensive ecosystem and technology capabilities for these efforts,” said Professor Ho Teck Hua, NUS Deputy President (Research & Technology).

Photo by Geroithe

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