Competitions are some of the best ways to get people participating in initiatives. They are also a powerful way of learning new things under fun and challenging circumstances. Take for instance, Huawei’s Global ICT competition whose Sub Saharan finals kicked off on September 10. The competition dubbed ‘Connection, Glory, Future” has the benefit of empowering participants with ICT literacy, upskilling digital professionals and encouraging and enabling ICT students. This competition is believed to be the biggest event of its kind in Africa, covering 14 countries and attracting 50,000 students.
The 2019-2020 ICT competition has covered over 70 countries globally, and more than 150,000 people who are trying their hand at it are students from 2,000 universities and colleges. Huawei has invested heavily in preparation for this event, holding 300 campus roadshows, in 14 Sub-Sahara African countries, with a total of 50,000 students participating. The competition-related training helped over 300 students receive job offers.
The competition was launched in the region just five years agon and has since morphed into the largest ICT skills competition in Africa. During the online opening ceremony attended by industry partners, UNESCO and students, Huawei Southern Africa VP, Liao Yong highlighted the significance of connectivity in the era of social distancing. “The digital divide is actually widening under the new normal caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. As people work and study more online, the digitally disadvantaged people are hit harder, “Liao said.
In a recent UNESCO webinar, digital infrastructure was identified among the most prominent challenges facing higher education in Africa.
“Holding the online version of ICT competition during the pandemic has a unique value, it shows that Huawei, as a pioneer in building African digital infrastructure, also takes its talent strategy very seriously. It encompasses three aspects; digital upskilling ICT professionals, encouraging and enabling ICT students, and promote ICT literacy among ordinary people ”Liao added.
Stacy Ojwang a 4th year student at JKUAT University studying Business and ICT .
Also speaking during the opening ceremony, Ydo Yao, acting Director of UNESCO International Bureau of Education, applauded Huawei for playing an exemplary role to support initiatives that create, innovate and deliver ICT skills for the continent.
In Africa, the partnership between UNESCO and Huawei has been fruitful with many successful projects, such as DigiTruck and Huawei ICT Academy under the auspices of Huawei’s digital inclusion initiative TECH4ALL.
With a series of talent ecosystem campaigns in Sub Saharan Africa, including the ICT competition, Huawei hopes to up-skill more than 700,000 ICT professionals by 2023. The aim is to bridge the ICT talent gap, advance the digital transformation of industries, and bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.