I will preface by saying that by the 20th of January 2022, I have received an AWS badge by virtue of completing all 10 modules provided by Instructure's AWS Academy Cloud Foundations [10812] which I started in the middle of October 2021. That would mean I averaged completing one module per week amidst my first semester as a student in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). I can vouch for sure that with adequate access to the internet and a smart device (considering we're in a unique position due to the pandemic), that even students with considerably packed schedules of their own (e.g. myself) are able to go ahead with this course without much of a struggle. Now I don't think that the pace of learning or finishing this course should be the main focus, rather the impact of said course towards its participants is of much higher importance. I finished after 10 weeks while I know people who have finished in 5 or even 2! Although they are in the minority. It is very accessible time-wise but I also found it could be a tad too lenient in its evaluation of students although not unchallenging! I thought that some were very lengthy for example Module 6 "Compute" while some were very easy to digest like Module 1 "Cloud Concepts Overview".
For each of the 10 modules, students receive a number of piecemeal study materials like videos and student guides to further their knowledge on a particular aspect of AWS. For example in Module 2 we focused on Cloud Economics & Billing which has 6 videos to explain the pricing philosophy and model of each AWS services, one of which is a "console demonstration" that guides us through the actual AWS customer interface. Some modules also have "labs" for students to practice but all modules end with a Knowledge Check with a passing grade of 80% to proceed. This helped strengthen my understanding and information retention about the topics.
At the start of the class I only knew the bare bones definition of cloud computing and in extension AWS, let alone its crucial role in IR4.0 as well as its intricate interlocking systems. Participating in this course quickly piqued my interest in getting a deeper understanding about cloud computing, yes it is compulsory to finish the course as a student but I was more motivated by the opportunity to get a meticulous look behind the term we always see and hear about, "cloud computing", which this course delivers.
Now I do believe that cloud computing is the future and is becoming ubiquitous already. Businesses big or small will find great use in the offerings of AWS and other cloud providers. It undoubtedly solves major problems that companies and enterprises all face, cloud computing cuts costs of maintaining and provisioning private servers by a landslide in both the long and short terms, allows a more efficient organizational and data management whilst greatly improving security of oraganisational data/networks. The speed of services allowed for by AWS' global reach and presence is astounding and the low cost ceiling is a testimony of its economies of scale. The only suitable next steps for me and other students of this course would be to explore the rest of the AWS certifications (e.g. WS Certified Data Analytics, AWS Certified Big Data) and possibly the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam after.
I believe that all students who are enrolled in SECP1513 subject are required to take part in this program and rightfully so, studying data engineering means each one of us ought to be able to understand the inner workings of the cloud architecture that is the brain of the modern world we live in and source of the gargantuan amounts data generated by the second. Thus, it would be prudent if every Computer Science student can learn more about Cloud Computing in one way or another, this should be the norm everywhere. I can only speak for myself but I have definitely formed a greater appreciation for the scale and prevalence of AWS and other similar cloud computing services after achieving the AWS badge, even with the relatively basic syllabus taught in the course it covers from A-Z including cloud conversion, billing and costs, range of services offered, AWS global infrastructure and AWS optimisations. Not to mention, just by having this badge on your CV or LinkedIn profile, it makes you stand out while greatly increasing your employability in they eyes of employers. I mean, it looks really good too 