The college students who attended the lecture had been from Japan, China, India and Malaysia.

Alibaba founder Jack Ma gave his first lecture as a visiting professor at Tokyo College, which is part of the University of Tokyo, final week, retreating farther from his function as tech entrepreneur following crackdown by China. According to Japan Times, Jack Ma delivered a lecture on entrepreneurship and future at a seminar that lasted for 2 hours. China’s best-known entrepreneur was invited to be the visiting professor in May. The appointment time period will end on the finish of October, however the contract is renewable on an annual foundation.

Jack Ma’s “special seminar for students” was held on June 12, in line with University of Tokyo. Photos posted by the institution confirmed a smiling Jack Ma surrounded by college students and him holding a binder whereas responding to college students questions.

When requested why the college didn’t make any prior announcement about his lecture, a spokesperson told Japan Times that it was executed on the entrepreneur’s request and to prioritise “ensuring a calm learning environment for students”.

The college students who attended the lecture had been from Japan, China, India and Malaysia and it was based mostly on “his rich experience and pioneering knowledge of entrepreneurship and innovation”, as per a CNN report that cited a press release from the college.

The Tokyo College was based in 2019 to function an interface between the University of Tokyo and abroad researchers and analysis establishments.

Earlier this yr, Jack Ma relinquished management over Ant Group, a Chinese fintech big, in an overhaul that seeks to attract a line underneath a wider regulatory crackdown.

He was an English trainer earlier than turning into one in every of China’s most profitable enterprise figures.