Left to Right: Danny Lin (from Huawei), Dr Du Yue (UNESCO) Michael Meng (Huawei) and Jacques Nel (Huawei)
from MTHULISI SIBANDA in Cape Town
CAPE TOWN – AN information and communications technology (ICT) talent ecosystem programme has been launched to address the critical shortage of skilled professionals in the sector in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The partnership between Huawei, the global provider of ICT infrastructure and smart devices, and United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) follows the realisation that the dearth of such professionals was hampering the growth of the ICT sector in the region.
The crisis subsequently scuttles economic growth.
Announced at Africacom in Cape Town with African universities and industry players, the ICT Talent Ecosystem Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa aims to cultivate local ICT talent and develop a sustainable industry ecosystem.
As part of this programme, Huawei carries out several ICT certification programmess including the Huawei ICT Academy and Huawei Authorised Learning Partner (HALP) for university students and industry practitioners, providing industry recognised certification across extensive ICT technologies, such as Routing and Switching, Storage, Cloud Computing and Security.
In addition, Huawei also organises events including an ICT competition and career expos for tertiary students to promote a greater understanding of an interest in ICT-related job opportunities.
“We are launching this platform to demonstrate that the young talent in Sub-Sahara Africa has the potential to mature into world-class experts,” said Michael Meng, Services Director of the Huawei Enterprise Business Group for Southern Africa.
Meng expressed the Chinese company’s commitment to work more closely with partners across the continent to better equip the next generation of technology leaders.
“By enhancing industry-academic cooperation, we, as an international ICT Company, hope to make our contribution to achieving of the continent’s development goals,” he said.
Huawei launched the 2018 ICT Competition in June in more than ten sub-Saharan Africa countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia.
Under the slogan of “Connection, Glory, Future,” this event has attracted more than 20 000 participants. This figure has increased from 1 000 in 2017. The programme is on course to train 30 000 participants by 2022.
Winners of the contest will have the opportunity to participate in the
regional finals to be held in South Africa.
The winners will move onto the global finals to be held at Huawei’s
headquarters in Shenzhen China.
Dr Du Yue, UNESCO Director Division for Coperation, Intersectoral
follow-up and Partnership for Africa, welcomed the launch of the ICT Talent Ecosystem Programme for Sub-Sahara Africa.
“SADC (Southern African Development Community, is an important region to launch this partnership,” he said.
– CAJ News
