Huawei Technologies inked a partnership with the government that will provide internships to 100 students at the Huawei Kenya offices, and sponsoring another 28 to go to China for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training.
The partnership is aimed at promoting the provision of ICT skills, build capacity as well as infrastructure and IT services.
This was sealed with the signing of a second Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by ICT Authority CEO Robert Mugo and Huawei Kenya’s Director for Contract and Commercial Fulfillment Mr Tony Liu.
Speaking during the ceremony, Huawei’s deputy CEO Frank Zhou applauded government’s willingness to partner with an external body.
“Huawei is keen on partnering with the government and other agencies on ICT projects that will go a long way in boosting the country’s economy. For us the signing of this MoU is proof of our continued commitment towards growing the ICT sector in Kenya”, said Mr Zhou.
According to a report by the World Bank and Huawei connectivity index, there is a direct co-relation between ICT development and the growth of a country’s economy.
ICT Principal Secretary Mr Victor Kyalo said that there are various opportunities available for ICT students. “In the last two years, the government has created an ecosystem with ICT opportunities for young people through programs Seeds for the Future and the Presidential Digital Talent Programme; and it is up to the young people to take this up for their benefit,” said Kyalo.
Under the previous MoU with the ICT Authority, the mobile manufacturer was able to provide internships to 100 students at the Huawei Kenya offices, and sponsoring another 28 to go to China for ICT training.
Other key achievements were through their contribution to supporting youth initiatives, industry development, training and using ICT for development activities.
“Seeds for the Future’ is one of Huawei Technologies’ flagship projects started under the 2014 MoU with the ICT authority; and is focused on providing necessary ICT skills and work experience to ICT students. This ensures that they are well equipped for the job market,” said Mr Zhou.
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The programme, which was first started in Kenya in 2014, provides students with an opportunity to travel to China for two weeks for intense ICT training on top of a two-month internship in Kenya.
This year, 9 students from Kenya have been selected to travel to the Huawei headquarters in Shenzhen, where they will go through this training alongside others who have been selected from other Huawei offices around the world.
“The 2017 MoU is focused on ICT research and innovation, sharing ICT best practices, development of ICT infrastructure and e-government services, building ICT capacity amongst government and the ecosystem, promoting digital skills for university students and promoting ICT literacy amongst the disadvantaged and unemployed,” concluded Mr Kyalo.
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