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The AWS Learning Club – HAU, a newly established organization under the School of Computing, has officially launched its presence on Facebook on June 1. The digital debut featured a new cover and profile photo, accompanied by a brief introduction to Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the organization’s goals. Along with the announcement, the org released its official registration form, welcoming all interested students with free membership.

Foundation and Vision

In an interview, lead Francisco Olpindo IV shared that AWS Learning Club – HAU was created to provide students with a platform to begin learning about cloud computing, highlighting the need to bridge the gap between academe and industry practice. “When it comes kasi sa academe, parang theoretical, puro learning and less hands-on learning. When in fact, in the field, a lot of our technologies are hosted on the cloud,” he explained.

He shared that the idea was further inspired by a colleague who, despite taking cloud-related courses, still sought deeper knowledge—especially about AWS. This prompted AWS-LC HAU to make it one of its main goals to expand students’ understanding of cloud computing by going beyond the foundational topics covered in SoC’s curriculum.

When asked about the motivation behind forming the organization, Olpindo shared that most of the core team came from the CSC-SoC 2024–2025 batch. “We had [a] really good term in our experience … kaming CSC last term, kaya we really want to serve the students back without further extending our term, without going for another election,” he explained.

As part of their upcoming initiatives, AWS-LC HAU is set to launch review sessions and provide materials before exams, supporting students not just in cloud computing but also in core programming subjects.

Membership is free by design. The organization believes learning should be accessible to everyone, without financial barriers. “We should not limit or make learning inaccessible,” Olpindo emphasized. Despite being free, the organization is committed to advocating for accessible cloud education, a field where courses remain scarce but increasingly vital.

Crafting a Friendly Cloud Identity

What makes AWS-LC stand out is its unusually cute branding—a deliberate choice to create a warm, welcoming identity in a field often seen as technical and intimidating. When it came to branding, co-leads Olpindo and Masato Martin entrusted the creative process to their creative team. Inspired by other AWS Cloud Clubs in the Philippines that use mascots like capybaras and foxes, the team explored having a cute, approachable logo to reflect their inclusive, beginner-friendly spirit. “It’s always day one” became a guiding idea, Olpindo noted “Everything is a process na lagi tayong asa day one.”. While they initially considered a fox to represent the School of Computing, they shifted to a capybara drafted by their artist Alexandra Sofia Flores.

What’s Next?

While the club initially hoped to include students from the School of Engineering and Architecture—particularly Computer Engineering students due to their relevance to AWS IoT services—partnership requests were not approved. Olpindo explained, “As much as we want to cater [to] everyone [university-wide], we are just a starting organization.” For now, the organization focuses exclusively on the School of Computing.

Looking ahead, AWS Learning Club – HAU plans a three-day event this November, open to all members. The first day will be an outreach program called “AWSome Day,” followed by industry sessions on the second day, and ending with an online gamified learning experience on the third. The club is also preparing three competitions for College Days to further engage the community. Planning is underway to ensure a smooth and impactful event.

As a tech-driven organization, AWS LC – HAU aims to empower students with cloud computing skills, hands-on AWS training, and access to industry resources—opening doors to new learning and career opportunities in computing.

By Sofia Sarmiento