KARACHI: “China
is exemplary in the way it rapidly progresses in the information and
communication technology (ICT) sector, and Huawei’s investment in developing
ICT talent is enabling Pakistan to upgrade its information technology
industry”. These thoughts were expressed by H.E. Naghmana Hashmi, Ambassador
for Pakistan in China, during a speech at the award ceremony for Huawei’s
Middle East ICT Competition 2019 at company headquarters in Shenzhen, China.
Two teams from Pakistan participated in the final, earning second and third
place.
At the award ceremony, H.E. Hashmi stated: “In the futuristic era of
digitalization, the importance of ICT cannot be underestimated. With the
advancement and innovation in modern technology, ICT has come to the fore as
the primary vehicle of sustainable and robust development around the globe.
Huawei’s initiatives to launch smart schools in Pakistan, in addition to the
Huawei ME ICT Competition, enables us to build young talent within the sector
to prepare them, and the country, for the digitally-driven world of tomorrow.”
The ICT sector is having an increased impact on societies and businesses alike.
Countries across the region recognize this, and have implemented plans – such
as Pakistan Vision 2025 – to take advantage of new technologies such as 5G,
artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud, which support the realization of
digital transformation, national plans and visions. In order to do this,
however, there is a need to address the talent gap that currently exists within
the ICT sector.
Huawei is keen to support the development of the ICT ecosystem in Pakistan. One
of the ways it does so is the Huawei ME ICT Competition, in partnership with
the Higher Education Commission Pakistan, which nurtures local ICT talent,
working with government authorities, colleges and universities in the Middle
East to identify, support, and grow the future leaders of ICT. The competition
promotes innovation and creativity while increasing national ICT
competitiveness and encouraging local communities to contribute towards
achieving digital transformation and economic growth. Participating students
have the opportunity to enhance their ICT knowledge, practical and application
skills as well as raising their innovation awareness, thereby enhancing their
chances of employability within the sector – especially with national winners
receiving an immersive experience at the company headquarters in Shenzhen,
China, in addition to employment opportunities and other prizes. Through the
competition, Huawei facilitates connections between international talent,
providing equal opportunities for quality education with the aim of enabling
more people to benefit from the digital economy.
Over the course of 2019, the competition attracted more than 21,000 student
registrations from 437 colleges and universities in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan,
Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab
Emirates. This year’s final had a total of 13 teams and 20 ministries
participate from countries across the Middle East.
