Huawei’s “Seeds for the Future” program nurtures global students

Islamabad: In a remarkable demonstration of worldwide solidarity and technological ambition, 175 students from 15 different countries gathered for the 2023 installment of Huawei’s “Seeds for the Future” program in Islamabad.

These students unanimously praised the program as outstanding, highlighting the invaluable knowledge they gained.

This knowledge-focused event brought together students from the Middle East and Central Asia (ME & CA) in Qatar, where they engaged in a cutting-edge educational experience.

Huawei’s “Seeds for the Future” program is a prominent global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at nurturing local ICT talent, promoting cross-cultural communication, and driving technological innovation.

This year’s edition saw an impressive gathering of students from universities representing countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Oman, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan.

The first phase of the program, held from September 2 to September 9, featured a wide range of activities, including immersive sessions, roundtable discussions on the latest ICT technologies, conversations about scientific and technological leadership, and ‘Tech4Good’ group projects.

Through these initiatives, participants delved deeper into subjects like 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cloud technologies, enhancing their competitiveness in the ever-evolving market and laying a solid foundation for future growth.

Eight exceptional teams, consisting of 40 students, will now progress to the second phase of the Tech4Good program, scheduled to take place in Dubai, UAE.

The winners of this phase will have the prestigious opportunity to compete in the final global competition in China, where they will face off against teams from around the world.

The grand opening ceremony of this event was graced 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, delivered 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 the future of their countries.

Beyond the 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.

Furthermore, a stimulating roundtable session titled “Embracing the 5.5G World: Unleashing Innovative & Sustainable Growth in the MECA Region” provided students with valuable insights into modern IT technology and the integration of 5.5G technology.

Distinguished speakers highlighted the significance of staying at the forefront of technological advancements to foster sustainable digital economic growth.

Pakistani Ministry of Education and Higher Education hosted the final ceremony of Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program 2023, honoring the winners of the first phase of the program at its headquarters on September 9.

Held under the patronage of Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), the regional event aims to develop local talent, share knowledge, increase the Information and communication technologies (ICT) sector awareness, and foster a digital community for young ICT talents.

Nine students from Pakistan, including Atiya Sarwar, Sher Khan, Ahmad Younas, Tayyab ur Rehman Rathore, Reema Memon, Zultaif Hassan, Aiza Irfan, Muhammad Farrukh Tahir, and Hamid Muzaffar Khan, participated in this year’s Seeds for the Future program, alongside their mentor Hamza Najam.