AIRASIA Group has set another milestone in its digitalisation journey with the launch of a digital training academy today.
The Group’s digital arm, AirAsia Digital, has teamed up with Google to launch the Redbeat Academy as part of its continued digital transformation journey.
The academy, which was initially set up to train AirAsia’s staff in the areas such artificial intelligence, machine learning, software engineering, cybersecurity, big data and infrastructure among others, has now opened its doors to the public, the low-cost carrier said in a press statement.
AirAsia said the move came as part of the academy’s objective and direction to build a future-ready next generation by providing a one-stop service in technology, leadership and innovation.
Redbeat Academy will focus on serving five segments, which are AirAsia Allstars, Corporate and SMEs, government agencies, universities and public individuals with at least 100,000 talents to be tapped on a yearly basis to provide solutions in three main areas, namely: skills development programme, Betabuild labs, a programme offered by AirAsia supported Google to help enterprises incubate new digital businesses with employees, as well as career coaching and hiring service.
Launching the academy, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) Khairy Jamaluddin said: “I would like to congratulate AirAsia Digital and Google on this meaningful partnership and the launch of Redbeat Academy. The concept of the academy itself signifies a vital global trend in today’s digital world, which reshapes how businesses are run, workplaces are restructured and product marketing is shifted from a more traditional way to digital and consumer-centric.”
“These efforts are in line with the government’s key initiative, the National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS), aimed to accelerate Malaysia’s ascent in becoming a high-tech and high-income nation while generating greater social impact and strengthening the social innovation ecosystem structure.
MOSTI is proud to play our role in encouraging innovation from the grassroots with prominent industry players such as AirAsia, as it is evident that innovation will be the key driver of economies and markets worldwide. We look forward to seeing Malaysians from all walks of life and industries sign up for the courses offered at Redbeat Academy,” he added.
AirAsia Group chief executive officer, Tony Fernandes said: “We are proud to work hand-in-hand and cross-share our resources and knowledge with Google.”
“With the mission to empower, connect and develop a sustainable tech talent pipeline, we are also proud to open the academy to the public now to provide opportunities for everyone, with the focus on mentoring the best in breed industry-ready professionals and producing problem-solvers using technology.”
Meanwhile, Google Cloud Learning Services director Rochana Golani remarked cloud technology could enable sustainable growth and innovation for businesses both large and small, and the Redbeat Academy would help grow cloud skills and talent across Malaysia.
“As a Google Cloud authorised training partner we look forward to working with the team to deliver advanced curriculum and learning pathways to future cloud technology professionals,” he said.
Also present at the launching ceremony were MOSTI Secretary General Ir. Dr. Siti Hamisah Tapsir, AirAsia Group executive chairman Kamarudin Meranun, AirAsia Digital president Aireen Omar and Google Malaysia country head Marc Woo.
Apart from Google, Redbeat Academy also signed a partnership with Malaysian Industry-Government Group of High Technology (MIGHT) to reskill a pool of talent in Software Engineering and High Technology projects (such as blockchain and data), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Malaya and Asia School of Business in collaboration with MIT Sloan Management, in awarding a micro-credential to Redbeat Academy courses and acknowledging it as part of the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
The academy also celebrated its first batch of 135 AirAsia Allstars, who graduated in their Digital Fundamentals course today from the internal “Reskilling & Upskilling” programme and will continue the journey in their respective tech track soon. – Oct 1, 2020
