African Leadership University

Jack Ma appointed visiting professor at African Leadership University

African Leadership University (ALU) is thrilled to announce that Mr. Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba Group and Jack Ma Foundation, has been appointed as a Visiting Professor at the university. 

Mr. Ma’s vast experience in entrepreneurship and sustainable development is well-known globally. In 2016, he was named a Sustainable Development Goals Advocate by the United Nations and Special Adviser to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for Youth Entrepreneurship and Small Business. In 2018, Ma launched Africa’s Business Heroes, a 10-year philanthropic initiative to recognize 100 African entrepreneurs and provide grant funding, training programs, and broader support for the vast African entrepreneurial ecosystem. Before founding Alibaba, Ma was a teacher, so this appointment aligns with his long-term passion for education.

“I’m thrilled that the young African entrepreneurs we’re developing at ALU will now have the opportunity to learn directly from one of the greatest entrepreneurs in the world. Mr Ma’s expertise, especially as a tech founder and innovator will be invaluable to our students and motivate them to dream bigger, think outside the box, and pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations with even greater passion and determination,” said Dr. Fred Swaniker, Founder of the African Leadership University.

ALU is a pan-African university with a state-of-the-art campus in Kigali, Rwanda, and a college in Pamplemousses, Mauritius. It has the vision to develop the next generation of leaders who can transform Africa and the world and aims to develop 3 million ethical and entrepreneurial African leaders by 2035. 

Mr. Ma’s appointment as a Visiting Professor aligns with the university’s mission to provide a world-class education that empowers young leaders to drive sustainable development and social impact while building solid and rewarding professional careers.

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Ella Krmpotic
ella.krmpotic@apollostrategiccomms.com