Rwanda Gov’t, Huawei Establish University Tech Competition
A local, Information Communication Technology (ICT) competition for the University students has been established by government and Huawei− a Chinese multinational technology corporation headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
Launched this week, the ICT competition aims to help advance the ICT skills of more 10,000 university students across the Sub-Saharan Africa. Varsity students will compete in Data computing systems, Security and cyber systems, Cloud tracking, Artificial Intelligence, and Cloud Service, among others.
Themed “Connection, Glory, Future”, Huawei Competition is a competitive ICT talent exchange program developed in 2015 globally for university, college and TVET students. It also aims to promote the healthy development of the ICT talent ecosystem and support the integration of industry and education.
It is part of Huawei’s LEAP program launched in April 2022 which is aimed at advancing ICT skills of over 100,000 people across the Sub-Saharan Africa within the space of three years.
LEAP is an acronym for Leadership, Employability, Advancement and Possibility, that aims at fostering strong digital leadership and a skilled ICT workforce, building a digital talent pool, and promoting digital literacy among citizens. It includes a wide range of activities spanning from ICT training and certification courses, government digital capacity building and ICT skills competitions.
Participants will compete in various categories including preliminary and National Stage in Rwanda, Africa Regional Stage in South Africa, and Global Stage in China.
“Through the programme, we strive to cultivate more youth leaders in ICT, who can explore more possibilities for themselves, their families, community and ultimately their nations. I encourage all students to take part in this year’s competition because, the successful ones shall be able to acquire internship and job opportunities” According to Mr. Yangshengwan, the Country Director of Huawei Rwanda.
Winners will be awarded phones, laptops and pads, industry certificates, trophies, and industry trips at Regional and global stage.
According to Mr. Gordon Kalema, Director General of digital transformation this competition will help in upskilling in technology world, but also empower ICT start-up companies.
“Holding a strong startup community in our nation, requires to have a pool of talents with high critical thinking and with both soft and high-tech skills. The country cannot achieve initiatives of start-ups without a pool of talents and entities such as Huawei to develop the talent,” Kalema added.
