NAIROBI, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications company, has commenced an intensive training program for 18 Kenyan university students who had won a national digital skills competition in preparation for a regional edition later this month.
According to a statement released by Huawei on Wednesday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, participants from leading Kenyan universities will undergo rigorous mentorship, hands-on workshops, and collaborative sessions conducted by the company's experts.
The training focuses on cutting-edge domains of information and communications technology (ICT), such as networking, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI), providing students with the practical skills required to excel in the upcoming regional competition.
Michael Kamau, Huawei Kenya's head of the ICT Academy Program, stressed the firm's commitment to upgrading the digital skills of local youth to foster economic growth, job creation, and social renewal.
"These students embody the innovation and determination that will drive Kenya's digital transformation. Huawei is proud to support their journey, providing platforms like the ICT competition to bridge the gap between academia and industry," said Kamau.
The Huawei ICT Competition, which is a flagship corporate social responsibility initiative, aims to develop a robust ICT talent ecosystem by nurturing skills that are aligned with industry standards.
Kenyan finalists will compete in the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Final and secure a chance to participate in the global finals alongside internships, certifications, and career development prospects.
In May, Huawei will organize a Global ICT Competition for excellent students drawn from sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Since 2018, the Huawei ICT Competition has upskilled more than 90,000 students across sub-Saharan Africa, reaffirming the company's devotion to creating a sustainable digital talent pipeline.
Ifrah Hussein, a Kenyan participant in the Huawei ICT Competition 2024-2025, said it provides a platform for improving digital skills that will be key to transitioning the country to a knowledge-based economy. ■