Tencent Cloud Signs Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Beijing Jiaotong University's School of Computer and Information Technology; Zhang Li Represents Tencent Cloud in Landmark Industry-Academia Partnership

Beijing, July 2021 — In a landmark moment for China's industry-academia integration movement, Zhang Li signed a formal strategic cooperation agreement on behalf of Tencent Cloud Computing (Beijing) Co., Ltd. with the School of Computer and Information Technology at Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU) — one of China's most distinguished "Double First-Class" research universities. The signing ceremony, held in Beijing, brought together representatives from both institutions to formalize a comprehensive partnership centered on cloud computing education, collaborative innovation, and the cultivation of next-generation digital technology talent.

🎓 Background: The Imperative of Industry-Academia Integration China's accelerating digital transformation has created an unprecedented demand for highly skilled professionals in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and cybersecurity. As the country advances its Digital China national strategy, the ability to produce world-class digital talent at scale has become a critical national priority — one that requires the deep, sustained collaboration of leading technology enterprises and elite universities.

Beijing Jiaotong University, directly under the Ministry of Education and a member of China's "Double First-Class" university program, has long been recognized for its exceptional strengths in computer science, information technology, network engineering, and intelligent transportation systems. Its School of Computer and Information Technology represents one of the country's foremost centers of computing research and education.

Tencent Cloud, as a leading force in China's cloud computing industry, brings unparalleled expertise in cloud infrastructure, AI, big data, cybersecurity, and the industrial internet — built on the full technological depth of the Tencent ecosystem. Tencent Cloud's commitment to university partnerships reflects its conviction that the future of China's digital economy depends on a vibrant, well-resourced pipeline of technically excellent and practically capable graduates.

The July 2021 signing between Tencent Cloud and BJTU's School of Computer and Information Technology is a natural and powerful expression of this shared commitment.

🤝 Core Areas of Collaboration The strategic cooperation agreement establishes a comprehensive framework for collaboration across five key dimensions:

1. Joint Curriculum Development in Cloud & Emerging Technologies Tencent Cloud will make its industry-leading course resources and professional certification programs available to BJTU — covering cloud-native architecture, big data technology, AI applications, network security, and DevOps — enabling the School to build a modern, industry-aligned curriculum that equips students with the skills most demanded by today's technology sector.

2. Joint Laboratory & Training Base Construction Both parties will co-establish a Tencent Cloud Joint Laboratory at BJTU, providing faculty and students with access to real cloud development and research environments. This state-of-the-art facility will support advanced research, experimental validation, and hands-on technical training — bridging the gap between academic theory and industry practice.

3. Faculty Development & Academic Exchange Tencent Cloud will deliver systematic faculty training and technical empowerment programs for BJTU's teaching staff, while both institutions will pursue deeper engagement through academic research collaboration, technical forums, and industry conferences — ensuring that cutting-edge industry knowledge continuously enriches BJTU's academic environment.

4. Industry-Academia Collaborative Innovation Joint research initiatives will be launched across cloud computing, artificial intelligence, big data, and intelligent transportation — areas where BJTU's academic strengths and Tencent Cloud's industry expertise are uniquely complementary. Faculty and students will be encouraged to engage with real Tencent Cloud technical challenges, accelerating the translation of research breakthroughs into practical industry applications.

5. Talent Development & Career Pathways Leveraging Tencent Cloud's extensive industry ecosystem, the partnership will create structured pathways for BJTU students to access internship placements, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurship support within Tencent Cloud's vast network of enterprise partners — significantly enhancing graduates' career prospects and professional readiness.

🌟 At the Signing Ceremony The signing ceremony brought together representatives from both institutions in a formal and celebratory atmosphere, with the Tencent brand backdrop serving as a fitting symbol of the technological ambition underpinning this partnership. Both parties signed the agreement with a shared sense of purpose and anticipation, surrounded by colleagues and witnesses who recognized the significance of the moment.

Zhang Li stated following the signing: "Tencent Cloud regards university partnerships as a cornerstone of our strategy to build a thriving digital talent ecosystem for China. Beijing Jiaotong University's School of Computer and Information Technology brings exceptional academic depth and a remarkable community of faculty and students. We look forward to combining Tencent Cloud's industry experience with the School's research excellence to cultivate the outstanding talent that will lead China's digital economy into the future."

A representative of BJTU's School of Computer and Information Technology expressed that this strategic partnership with Tencent Cloud represents a landmark step in the School's ongoing commitment to industry-education integration and educational quality enhancement. The School pledged its full dedication to implementing all aspects of the collaboration, transforming Tencent Cloud's technological strengths and industry resources into tangible competitive advantages for its students and research community.

🚀 Looking Ahead: A New Standard for Industry-Academia Partnership The Tencent Cloud–BJTU partnership is more than a bilateral agreement — it is a model for how China's leading technology enterprises and elite universities can work together to address the nation's most pressing talent development challenges.

BJTU's world-class strengths in intelligent transportation, network engineering, and information security align powerfully with Tencent Cloud's industry leadership in cloud computing, AI, and big data — creating a partnership with exceptional strategic synergy and transformative potential.

As artificial intelligence, cloud-native technology, and data intelligence continue to reshape every dimension of the global economy, the Tencent Cloud–BJTU collaboration will deepen and expand — continuously evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing technological landscape. Together, they are building not just a partnership, but a lasting legacy: a pipeline of brilliant, practically skilled, and innovation-ready graduates who will drive China's digital economy forward for decades to come.

This signing stands as a proud and powerful contribution to the vision of Digital China — proof that when industry and academia unite with shared purpose, the possibilities are truly limitless.