Huawei enhances knowledge transfer in Botswana
Correspondent | Friday March 29, 2019 14:09
The students will travel to China for a two-week ICT training in Huawei’s global headquarter in Shenzhen, China where they will get hands-on experience and exposure to many latest ICT technologies and solutions including Cloud, Big Data, IoT and Smart Cities.
The Seeds for the Future programme is Huawei’s global CSR flagship programme aiming at developing local ICT talent, enhancing knowledge transfer and encouraging a greater understanding and participation in ICT. Dorcas Makgato, Minister of Transport and Communications said in her speech that the Seeds for the Future programme plays in the cultivation of local ICT expertise. She emphasised that the programme will assist in the “accomplishment of His Excellency President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi’s goals and roadmap”.
Makgato said that she believes Botswana can learn a lot from China and Shenzhen in particular as a city that has developed tremendously both technologically and economically. This same intelligence, dedication and attention to detail, the minister attests, is what Botswana needs to develop the country into a centre for Information Communications and Technology. She further encouraged students to “take this opportunity as a chance to learn from the gurus when it comes to cutting edge technology and solutions” and bring this back home to motivate and inspire more local talent. Zhao Yanbo, the Chinese Ambassador in Botswana, presented that the visit to China will be an unforgettable experience to the students. He further said that he believes Huawei will continue to do its best to contribute more to Botswana’s local development. “If you want to go far, go together.” He added, “China looks forward to joining hands with Botswana and further deepening our bilateral cooperation not only in ICT and infrastructure but also in all other areas.”
Apart from the Seeds for the Future program, during the ceremony, Huawei announced 11 students passed the Huawei technical certification in Huawei ICT Competition 2018-2019. The ICT Competition, being a global platform for exchange of ideas, is an important part of Huawei’s talent development strategy.
Huawei has been working with Botswana Open University (BOU) and will work with more colleges and universities in establishing Huawei Authorized Information and Network Academy (HAINA) and providing courses and industrially recognized certifications to increase the competitiveness of students in the job market.
Reno Ren, Managing Director of Huawei Botswana noted that “through these programmes, we try to enhance knowledge transfer and talent growth in Botswana”. He further said that the ceremony is not only to see off Botswana’s most outstanding ICT students to China for Seeds for the Future and congratulate the winners of Huawei ICT Competition, but also to leverage the latest technologies and solutions to build a safer, more efficient and better connected Botswana.
Gontse Basupi, one of the winners of Huawei ICT Competition 2018-2019 in Botswana, said that the Huawei ICT competition will help bridge in bridging the gap between academic and the industry. “I have learned a lot of skills, of which I am sure will come in handy throughout my career.”
A beneficiary of Seeds for the Future programme, Tirelo Ramasedi, thanked Huawei for the opportunity given to them to enhance their knowledge base on ICT, through courses such as basic and advanced trainings.
“It provides a great opportunity for us to define intrinsically Botswana’s course of technology and innovation thus enabling the possibility of a knowledge economy that is embedded in our national visions and policy.” she said.
Anthony Masunga Managing Director of BTC, Vice Chancellors of BIUST, the University of Botswana, Botho University and Botswana Open University attended the ceremony.