A global leading ICT solutions provider, Huawei, has concluded plans to hold an ICT competition in Nigeria to develop local talents.
The competition, which is in partnership with some Nigerian universities, will help propel students’ interest in ICT and develop a healthy ecosystem for the sustainable growth of the sector.
A statement from the firm on Tuesday said more than 10,000 students from 15 Nigerian universities are expected to participate in the competition which features learning of various ICT subjects including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, mobile networks and big data.
Some of the selected institutions include the University of Nigeria (UNN), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Lead City University (LCU), America University of Nigeria (AUN) and Federal University Technology Akure (FUTA).etc.
The statement noted that the tech firm will hold the “Nigeria ICT Talents Development Summit and Huawei ICT Competition Launch Ceremony” on October 26, at the Hilton Convention Center in Abuja.
At the event, selected universities will also sign MOU with Huawei to launch Huawei Authorized Information and Network Academy (HAINA) programme in these universities.
The Managing Director of Huawei Enterprise Nigeria, Tank Li, said these programmes are in line with Huawei’s sustainability strategy in bridging digital divide, promoting skill transfer and developing a win-win situation with local community.
“As an international ICT innovator, we are committed to working with our academic and industrial partners in Nigeria to create more opportunities for individuals, and businesses in the country.
“Through programmes like ICT competition and HAINA, Huawei will continuously contribute to local ICT talents cultivation and practitioners upskilling, to lay a solid foundation for a healthier sectorial growth, fulfillment of government’s digitization strategies and stronger national ICT competitiveness.” he said.
It added that the HAINA is a nonprofit ICT career certification programme aimed at increasing employment opportunities for young people by exposing them to more ICT knowledge and skills required in the job market.
It will be recalled that Huawei ICT competition has been launched in more than 10 sub-Saharan Africa countries, including South Africa, Kenya and Zambia.
“So far, more than 20,000 students have signed up to participate. Winners of the contest in Nigeria will have opportunity to participate in the regional finals in South Africa and global finals at Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen, China.
“Huawei has now extended its HAINA programme to more than 150 leading universities worldwide, and this will be the first time for Huawei to bring the programme to Nigeria,” the statement further noted.
