Students around the world admire Huawei’s Seeds for the Future Program

Celina Ali

Islamabad: In an extraordinary display of global unity and technological ambition, 175 students from 15 diverse nations convened for the 2023 edition of Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program and they unanimously hailed the program as exceptional, emphasizing the invaluable knowledge they acquired.

This knowledge-based event marked the convergence of students from the Middle East and Central Asia (ME & CA) in Qatar, where they immersed themselves in a cutting-edge learning experience.

The Seeds for the Future program, a flagship global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by Huawei, aims to nurture local ICT talent, facilitate cross-cultural communication, and propel technological innovation. This year’s edition witnessed an impressive gathering of students from universities representing Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Oman, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan.

The first phase of the program, from September 2-September 9, featured a myriad of activities including immersive sessions and roundtables, on the latest ICT technologies, discussions on scientific and technological leadership, and ‘Tech4Good’ group projects. Through these endeavors, participants delved deeper into subjects such as 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cloud technologies, augmenting their competitiveness in the ever-evolving market and laying a robust foundation for future growth.

Eight exceptional teams, comprising 40 students, will now advance to the second phase of the Tech4Good program, scheduled to take place in Dubai, UAE. The winners of this phase will earn the prestigious opportunity to compete in the final global competition in China, where they will face off against teams from around the world.

The opening ceremony of this grand event was attended by notable figures such as Jawad Abbassi, Head of GSMA, MENA, and Omar Abdulaziz al-Naama, Qatar’s Assistant Undersecretary for Private Education Affairs. Distinguished individuals, including Shunli Wang, Vice President of Huawei Middle East and Central Asia, and Reem Abdulaziz al-Mugbel, Acting Vice Governor for Planning & Business Development at the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation in Saudi Arabia, graced the occasion with their inspiring keynote speeches.

Shunli Wang expressed Huawei’s commitment to bridging the global talent gap through initiatives like Seeds for the Future, emphasizing its role in inspiring young talent to shape their countries’ futures.

Beyond the realms of intensive training and technological immersion, the students had a unique opportunity to celebrate the diversity of their cultures at the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum’s Global Village event. Here, they artfully showcased their traditions and heritage, fostering an environment of camaraderie and mutual appreciation.

Moreover, a stimulating roundtable session, titled “Embracing the 5.5G World: Unleashing Innovative & Sustainable Growth in the MECA Region,” provided the students with valuable insights into modern IT technology and the integration of 5.5G technology. Distinguished speakers emphasized the significance of staying at the forefront of technological advancements to foster sustainable digital economic growth.