Huawei opens training centre in Nairobi

Huawei has moved to enhance its capacity to facilitate technical skills transfer in the country with the launch of a purpose built regional training centre.

The new training centre at Huawei’s Head office campus in Lavington, Nairobi will provide a global standard training environment for regional trainees on new generation computing, telecommunication and related technologies.

Speaking during the launch, Huawei Technologies East Africa Head of Learning Services, Peter Thuo stated that, “this training center will increasingly focus on providing training on new technologies including 4G, IoT, cloud computing and Software Defined Networks (SDN)/Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV). It aims to build ICT skills amongst employees and key players in the ICT ecosystem in the region in order to drive the ICT industry and the countries’ digital transformations, as well as enhancing Kenya’s leading role in East Africa.”

The new training centRE is not only spacious but also easily accessible and well equipped with multiple training rooms and an equipment room. Key to the success of the new facility is not just the actual equipment in the facility, but also the video conference and high-speed broadband connections enabling students to access e-labs with remote access to the latest version of equipment and software.

 “Having been at Huawei for many years, I personally benefited from the many training programs Huawei provides employees; I had the opportunity to be trained at the previous training centre located in Mombasa Road and also at its global training centre in Shenzhen, China. Building ICT skills for our youth is very crucial to the success of the country’s economic transformation agenda, and it is for this reason  that the Kenyan government is establishing an advanced institute for science and technology at Konza Technopolish which will  focus in research and post graduate programs including  ICT.  With Huawei’s great contribution to Kenya’s ICT infrastructure and skills development be assured of our support in this space and we look forward to further collaborations,” stated John Tanui, Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) during the launch.

Thuo also reflected on the achievements of the previous training center whilst also explaining the future direction of the new training center and the kind of programs it will be providing.

One of these programs is hardware installation training, for which there is a dedicated location which will soon be providing training for more than 200 students from the Presidential Digital Talent Programme.

The training centre is part of the commitment Huawei has made through its MoU with the ICT Authority to building ICT capacity and skills in Kenya and also includes the Seeds for the Future training program for undergraduate students. Nine of these students also attended the launch event to share their experiences from their recent training in China.

Minister Counsellor of Chinese Embassy in Kenya Li Xuhang said that Kenya has become a frontrunner of ICT in East Africa, thanks to innovative companies like Huawei who constantly bring their state-of-the-art technologies into the local market. He praised Huawei for basing their East Africa Training Centre in Nairobi and showing their commitment to cultivating local ICT talents.

He further noted that China has been working continuously to provide training programs for Kenya and a number of scholarships to Kenyan students willing to study in China and wished the graduates of Huawei’s 2017 “Seeds for the Future” programme a bright future with the knowledge and experience mastered during their China study tour.

Reflecting on the recent renewal of the MoU between Huawei and ICT Authority, Robert Mugo, ICT Authority CEO commended Huawei for its efforts.

 “This is yet another demonstration of Huawei’s commitment to building ICT skills in Kenya together with the ICT Authority. We have heard today how the nine students have benefited from their training in Kenya as well as the many other training programs Huawei provides with the ICT Authority. I am excited that this new training center will be able to expand its training numbers and training topics in order to stand Kenya in good stead to take advantage of the digital transformation,” he said.

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“Building advanced ICT skills is a great compliment to the other areas we partner with Huawei on for graduates, undergraduates and also for those who did not attend University. This is in line with one of the four key projects President Uhuru Kenyatta has set out for his legacy. The President has pointed out creation of jobs for the youth through supporting innovation and enterprise,” added Mugo.

Closing the event, Huawei Kenya’s Senior Director for Public Affairs Adam Lanenoted how useful this new training center will be in driving Kenya’s transformation, creating jobs, and creating local companies.

The launch event was attended by various customers and beneficiaries of Huawei’s training center and other training programs in Kenya, including Huawei’s telecommunications companies and telecommunications sub-contractors, employees and University students. During the event, guests were provided with a tour of the center and witnessed the official opening.