Cloud Transformation and Technology Infrastructure Strategy

The UBC Micro-certificate in Cloud Transformation and Technology Infrastructure Strategy provides you with the ability to critically review your organization’s technology implementation, identify strategic cloud transformation gaps and cost-saving adoptions for cloud operations, and leverage emerging technologies.

By the end of this program, you’ll be able to:

• Build a compute platform. Understand the major compute options and how they impact application performance. Analyze use cases to optimize operating systems, software and virtualization choices. Learn mechanical sympathy and how choices impact performance.
• Design a secure networking environment. Create a secure network to operate applications while managing common shared services.
• Choose a data storage technology. Explore popular data storage platforms and the key trade-offs of data storage technologies. Review application requirements and align to optimal technologies.
• Leverage secure application patterns. Design and analyze common application deployment and management patterns to secure the application operating environment.
• Envision accelerating outcomes. Start planning your transformation domains and understand the various perspectives that need to be included in your cloud transformation strategy. Identify opportunities to reduce risk, lower costs and grow revenue through unlocked cloud capabilities.
• Align foundational capabilities. Understand how business, people, governance, security, platform and operations perspectives deliver on organizational outcomes.
• Launch initiatives with incremental value. Explore opportunities and deliver incremental value through transforming foundational capabilities into a cloud-ready state.
• Scale your cloud transformation. Formalize your cloud transformation strategy, and review the value proposition of transformed foundational capabilities in strategy presentations to your executive.

This program is designed for:

• those involved in making business-driven technical decisions
• executives who need to evaluate and make decisions on cloud strategy and implementation
• technology or tech-adjacent professionals who need to better understand and manage cloud computing
• anyone interested in helping transform their organization to operate effectively in a cloud environment by developing integrated technology infrastructure and cloud transformation strategies

Entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and business, computer and technology students can also benefit from the skills taught in this program.

Technical and coding skills are not required, and coding is not covered in the program. However, each course offers optional technical deep dives for learners with an information technology background. Familiarity with management information systems and business applications is an asset.

Each course costs $950. The total cost of the program is $1,900.

All fees are in Canadian dollars and subject to change. Fees are subject to GST where applicable. Fees may be paid by Visa®, Mastercard®, cash, money order or certified cheque.

For details on financial support options, please see Financial Assistance.

For details on UBC’s payment policies, please see Refunds, Cancellations and Transfers.

The program consists of two courses of four weeks each. Combined, the courses take approximately 55 hours to complete.

Once completed, the UBC Micro-certificate in Cloud Transformation and Technology Infrastructure Strategy can be applied towards a 190-hour Senate-approved vendor-agnostic UBC Cloud and Technology Transformation Certificate program.

Required Courses

Required Courses

Course name	Format	Next start date	Learn more
Cloud Transformation Strategy (0158)	Online	Jan 28, 2025	Details
Cloud Technology Infrastructure Strategy (0159)	Online	Mar 11, 2025	Details

This part-time 100% online program is instructor supported, and combines weekly real-time classes with independent study.

Weekly real-time classes, facilitated by your instructor, are recorded in case you miss a class or want to review the content. Outside of class, you can review readings and videos on your own time and apply your knowledge in exercises and case studies. Contribute to an online discussion board and connect with other students.

Expected effort

Expect to spend approximately five to seven hours a week completing all learning activities, including attending the real-time classes.

Technology requirements

To take this program, you need access to:

• an email account
• a computer, or laptop or a tablet
• the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
• a reliable internet connection
• a video camera and microphone (to access real-time classes)

Assessment

You are assessed on successfully completing weekly activities, including your contributions to discussion posts and applied case study projects (based on real-life scenarios). These are marked on a matrix using a scoring guide, and your instructor provides you informal feedback in the real-time online sessions.

While you’re not assessed on your attendance of the real-time classes, we encourage you to attend so you don’t miss the opportunity to learn and interact with your instructor and other participants. All sessions are recorded in case you miss one.

Our program instructors and developers are experts with extensive industry and adult education experience.

Ricardo Trujeque, Course Author and Instructor, is a versatile entrepreneur and passionate educator whose 20-year career intersects technology, communications and education. Ricardo focuses on next-generation educational content and experiences. He has co-founded several software as a service (SaaS) companies that span digital media content distribution, marketing automation, language assessment, disaster resilience assessment and, currently, immersive environments for training and education. 

Lawrence McDaniel, Course Instructor, is a full-stack web developer and business analyst with expertise in financial modelling, analytics, machine learning and big data. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Texas with majors in computer science and mathematics, and minors in physics and English.