[Dubai, September 19, 2023] In collaboration with the Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), and the ICT Fund, Huawei concluded the 2023 Seeds for the Future program in Dubai on Friday. Over the previous two weeks, the program brought together for the first time ever in Qatar and UAE 175 students from elite universities across the Middle East and Central Asia (MECA). The regional event’s goals were to develop local talent, share knowledge, increase awareness of the importance of the ICT sector, and foster a digital community for young ICT talent.
The MECA Seeds for the Future program unfolded in two phases. The first phase was a Tech4Good contest in which, from September 2-9, students from 15 MECA countries participated. In Tech4Good, teams present competing projects that use technologies to address social issues. After presenting to the judges, seven outstanding teams from UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan were selected to participate in the second phase in Dubai, UAE, from 10-16 September 2023. Through learning and mutual exchange, this event provided them a better understanding of 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cloud technologies, enabling them to improve their competitiveness in the job market.
“In the digital era, skilled talent is pivotal to maintaining rapid development, seizing opportunities, and economic progress. At Huawei, we’re proud to be among the first few global tech companies to leverage its technology and expertise to help narrow the talent gap through programs like Seeds for the Future,” said Shunli Wang, Vice President of Huawei Middle East and Central Asia, at the opening ceremony in Qatar. He also looked forward to seeing some of the best regional ICT talent in action in the future.
Students from 15 MECA countries at the end of the first week in Qatar
Following the second phase of Tech4Good regional competition in Dubai, UAE, students from Uzbekistan were named MECA Champions. They will now qualify to compete in the final global competition against other teams from around the world. The students will jointly explore ICT’s huge potential to drive sustainable development. Winners from the Tech4Good Global Competition will be invited to the Tech4Good Startup Sprint in China, where they will visit Shenzhen, Beijing, and other cities to experience real-world entrepreneurial environments and compete for a startup support fund of US$100,000.
“The Huawei Seeds for the Future program clearly reflects a deep understanding that entrepreneurship and youth empowerment are closely linked.” H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, UAE, stated at the closing ceremony. He further emphasized that the outstanding performance of students at this Camp validates the strong conviction that the future of innovation in our region and the world depends in large part upon the ability of youth to innovate, create new knowledge and new technologies, and process and apply these innovations.
For more information regarding Huawei’s Seeds for the Future Program, please visit: https://www.huawei.com/minisite/seeds-for-the-future/program.html
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