Nine engineering students from local universities will be part of the inaugural batch to benefit from the “Huawei Seeds for the Future” internship programme that will see the students travel to Huawei University in China to get training on innovative ICT technologies and interact with top IT professionals at the university.
The students, who were selected in September 2014 from a finalist pool that attracted hundreds of applicants, will be awarded certificates in addition to professional mentorship. ICT Authority CEO Victor Kyalo said that the programme will enhance Kenya’s position as a technology powerhouse in Africa. “This programme is a reflection of not only our focus on developing local skills but on the government’s commitment in working with the private sector. We want to maintain our position as a leader in ICT in the continent,” said Mr Kyalo.
ICT Authority inked the deal with Huawei in June this year and according to Mr Kyalo, there is need to nurture local ICT talent, enhance knowledge transfer while promoting a greater understanding of and interest in the telecommunications sector.
During the study tour in China, Beijing and Shenzhen cities, the students will visit the Huawei headquarters and top universities to interact with top technologists. They will also experience products and solutions focusing on the latest trends in mobile internet applications, cloud computing and networking.
Officially launched in 2008, the Huawei Seeds for the Future initiative has been implemented in more than 30 countries with Kenya as the first beneficiary in Africa. The programme aims to further technical knowledge transfer through interactions with Huawei staff, laboratory visits for hands-on experience and to witness live demonstrations of the latest ICT technologies globally.
“We want to develop ICT talent in Africa and beyond by collaborating with local governments, higher education institutions and other organizations for students to study and experience the future technologies at the firm’s headquarters in China,” said Mr Dean Yu, Huawei Technologies Kenya CEO.
Huawei has cooperated with over 100 universities benefitting approximately 1000 students from 30 countries. Additionally, Huawei has set up 45 Huawei training centres worldwide, under the Huawei Seeds for the future programme, offering student scholarships, donating ICT equipment and laboratories to local universities, providing technical courses, teacher training, qualification assessment and career certification through the Huawei Authorized Network Academy (HANA) which has combined beneficiaries of over 10000 students.
Huawei is running the second call of “Huawei seeds for the Future” Internship programme until end of December, 2014, targeting talented university students in their 3rd, 4th or 5th year of study, specializing in ICT engineering.
Leave a comment