Once a Teacher, Always a Teacher: Alibaba's Jack Ma to focus on education after retirement

World
Europe

02:17

Much media attention has been paid to the announcement by Alibaba CEO Jack Ma that he's ready to retire. The richest man in China said he would do so next year and devote his time to philanthropy in education. So why is the former English teacher making such a move? CGTN's Wu Lei has more.

WU LEI HANGZHOU "After failing his national college entrance exam twice, Jack Ma finally enrolled at Hangzhou Normal University in 1984. He majored in English, and trained to be a teacher. After 4 years of hard work, he graduated from this university with a bachelor's degree. Many say this university is where he planted the seed of being a teacher his whole life."

WU LEI HANGZHOU "He spent 6 years here teaching both English and international trade. He made very little at that job - only about 15 US dollars per month. But during the lecturing process, he gradually enjoyed teaching and became very popular with students. He once reflected on these times as the happiest years of his life."

JIN HUI, TEACHER HANGZHOU NORMAL UNIVERSITY "His dream is to be a teacher, but I didn't expect him to really do it. I think there may be many people with ideas. Entrepreneurs like him talk a lot, but when he really does it with practical actions. Then I really admire and respect him a lot."

WU LEI HANGZHOU "Jack Ma has proven that he is a talented leader and successful entrepreneur. Under his leadership, Alibaba has grown from an e-commerce marketplace to a tech giant. Over the past few years, he also launched several rural education programs to support and fund rural teachers and students."

JACK MA, CO-FOUNDER ALIBABA GROUP "No matter you are a teacher, or you are in the education sector, we all pursue our dreams. We believe that education is the most important path to realize human being's dreams."

WU LEI HANGZHOU "He said that education has influenced his whole life, and he wants to devote more of his time and wealth to helping more young people, passing on the hope and confidence they need to discover their brightest potential. WL, CGTN HZ."