Jack Ma is now a visiting professor in Japan following his controversial disappearance since China's tech crackdown in 2020, which wiped out his business empire.
After being elusive to public life for three years, the co-founder of Alibaba Group has recently taken other professorship roles in countries like Hong Kong.
SHANGHAI, CHINA - NOVEMBER 05: Alibaba Chairman Jack Ma speaks during the Hongqiao International Economic and Trade Forum at the China International Import Expo at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre on November 5, 2018, in Shanghai, China. The first China International Import Expo will be held on November 5-10 in Shanghai.
Jack Ma Resurfaces as a Visiting Professor in Japan
The Chinese business magnate, who rarely sees the public spotlight for roughly three years, has gotten a new job up his sleeves.
According to News Australia, the Alibaba co-founder has recently joined the roster of professors at the Tokyo College, which the University of Tokyo or UTokyo runs. The billionaire took the visiting professor role as he embraced another academic endeavor following his controversial elusiveness since 2020.
CNN reports that the Tokyo College website says that the Chinese billionaire will work hand in hand with researchers in the educational institution. He is expected to focus on topics of food production and sustainable agriculture.
Besides that, the UTokyo-run college says that the Alibaba founder will also "provide advice and support to the major research topics of Tokyo College."
The new visiting professor of the Tokyo College has taken his current role "to share his rich experience and pioneering knowledge on entrepreneurship, corporate management, and innovation," its website says. He plans to impart all of these not only to his students but as well as to the faculty members of the institution by hosting various seminars.
Jack Ma's 2020 Disappearance Since China's Tech Crackdown
According to the South China Morning Post, Ma has been mysteriously elusive from the public eye for roughly three years since China kicked off a crackdown against tech firms in the country in 2020.
He previously criticized China, primarily its financial regulator, and banks, for allegedly giving small businesses a difficult time in the country. Days after his controversial remarks, the Chinese authorities decided to suspend the intended staggering $37 billion initial public offering or IPO of Ant Group, which is a financial subsidiary of Alibaba.
And since then, the Chinese billionaire has let go of all his roles in the company he co-founded. On top of that, he has been rarely seen in public.
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Alibaba Group co-founder and executive chairman Jack Ma gestures while visiting Cambodia's ancient Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on March 12, 2019.
The Academic Ties of the Alibaba Co-Founder
The SCMP reports that the Alibaba co-founder returned to China in March. He sits as one of the managing boards of Tsinghua University, a public research educational institution in Beijing.
While he has been elusive nowadays, he remained committed to various educational institutions. He recently joined the business school of the University of Hong Kong after accepting the honorary professorship offer. He will reportedly take the role until March 2026, News Australia notes.
Related Article: Alibaba Group To Undergo Major Overhaul as Jack Ma Returns To China
