Duke Kunshan & Microsoft: Boosting AI Startups through Ecosystem Engagement

[Guest ChristinaLiang]

To enhance Microsoft technology integration within overseas educational institutions in China, partnering with Duke Kunshan University was a pivotal starting point. This initiative is a direct response to the current trends and challenges in domestic technology outreach in the academic sector. The strategic approach aims to position Microsoft technologies as integral to global educational frameworks, aligning with our overarching business strategy of expanding our global footprint. Many overseas universities have branches in China, where we engage with faculty and career departments to ensure the promotion of the Microsoft Student Ambassador and the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub and to foster interest and capabilities in Generative AI across universities.

 

 

 

In March 2024, we hosted a tutorial event and successfully engaged 52 international students from the fields of computer science, data science, and electrical engineering at Duke Kunshan University in Microsoft Research Center Asia (MSRA) Shanghai. During this 1st phase, the collaboration of Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) with experience in building startups and women from the Student Ambassador program, shared their experiences with startups using Microsoft AI technology in the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub.

 

 

 

 

Duke KunShang Students are listening

 

 

 

Yuyue Liu, a Student Ambassador described her experience being part of this collaboration. “Participating as a speaker in this event was an enriching experience. I gained valuable insights into structured communication and diverse perspectives on AI development. It was an honor to receive recognition from both the MVP and Duke students, who appreciated my ideas and amazed how I managed time. I emphasized the importance of sharing learning journeys like Student Ambassador and MVP, encouraging individual brainstorming, and promoting teamwork.”

 

 

Bin Dong, a Microsoft MVP, shared his experience with the community, reflecting on the impact of this partnership towards our future leaders. Bin says, “participating in this event as an MVP, startup owner and member of the Founders Hub, was incredibly rewarding and insightful. Sharing my career and startup journey with university students for the first time, I was impressed by their knowledge and interest in AI. Duke University provides an excellent environment, bridging academic theories with practical industry applications. Key learnings included the importance of engaging with a broader audience beyond the developer community based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback from students. Inspiring students and potentially influencing their career paths was a new and fulfilling experience. As a new Microsoft MVP, receiving acknowledgment from senior members was encouraging and motivating me to share more within the community. I plan to continue empowering students by participating in more sessions and leveraging platforms like Student Ambassadors.

 

 

 

Building on the success of the phase one event as above, a GitHub Copilot Empower Data Science workshop was held at Duke Kunshan University Campus on April 25 with Microsoft Cloud Advocate, Kinfey Lo. This workshop attracted 35 students who were eager to learn the capabilities of GitHub Copilot and to develop applications using this tool.

 

 

Students who attended the workshop found it an enlightening experience as it opened their eyes to the possibilities of AI in coding. One student commented saying it was an opportunity to “gain insights into the real-world applications of AI and cloud technologies, which was both inspiring and motivating.” Another student said that they were impressed by the depth of resources available through the Student Ambassador program, which proved to be an exciting opportunity to get more involved with Microsoft technologies.

 

 

 

 

Hackathon in Duke with Cloud Advocate Kinfey Lo

 

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