[Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2024] Following the resounding success of the previous editions held in Portugal (2021), Czech Republic (2022) and Spain (2023), Huawei’s renowned European Leadership Academy is delighted to announce the fourth edition of the Summer School for Female Leadership in the Digital Age. Scheduled from 21 to 26 July 2024, the School will take place in Warsaw, Poland. The program will once again convene numerous world-class experts, thought leaders, and mentors for an intensive week-long training, comparable to top-tier MBA programs offered by leading universities.
Participants in the 2023 summer school program in Valencia
As part of Huawei’s overarching talent cultivation initiative Seeds for the Future, the Schools for Female Leadership in the Digital Age underscore the company’s steadfast commitment to advancing digital inclusion and narrowing the gender gap. They aim to provide a platform for women to thrive and lead Europe towards a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.
Tony Yong JIN, Executive Vice-President of Huawei European Region, remarked: “The European Leadership Academy is reshaping the landscape of talent development, ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of the digital transformation. Huawei is committed to championing women’s leadership, and we are proud to witness our programs empowering deserving individuals to unlock their full potential.” Selina WEN, Chief Representative of Huawei to the European Institutions, added: “The 2024 Summer School presents an exceptional opportunity for future leaders to gain insights into cutting-edge technologies. We look forward to collaborating with our Polish partners to deliver an enhanced educational experience, especially in anticipation of Poland’s EU presidency.”
Berta HERRERO, Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Huawei Europe and Director of the Schools for Female Leadership in the Digital Age, emphasized: “With generative AI poised to revolutionize various aspects of our lives, it is imperative to prioritize inclusivity in this new technological wave. Women play a pivotal role in shaping the world of tomorrow, and it is their unique skills and talents that can guarantee that future tools and structures benefit all. I am most proud that our Schools provide full scholarships to candidates from vastly diverse backgrounds and geographies, effectively translating the vision of equal opportunities into tangible reality.”
Ryszard HORDYŃSKI, Strategy and Communications Director, Huawei Poland, said: “We are pleased that this year’s edition of the Summer School for Female Leadership in the Digital Age will be held in Warsaw, in the heart of Poland. As Huawei, we are deeply convinced of the huge potential of women in the field of new technologies. According to Eurostat, we have one of the highest female participation rates in science and technology-related industries. The EU average is 52%, while in some areas of Poland this rate is as high as 60%. This is undeniable proof that as a society we have taken a big step forward. We are seeing huge benefits from the greater representation of women in STEM. Diversity of perspectives, greater innovation, flexibility of thinking and better problem-solving skills are just some of them.”
“This is why, as a company, we actively support Polish schools and universities by offering programs and initiatives that help develop women’s technological skills and encourage them to shape the digital future. We are proud to contribute to this change and are looking forward to the Summer School for Female Leadership in the Digital Age, which will be held in Poland for the first time this year. This will be a very special moment for us, especially as this year marks the 20th anniversary of the company’s presence in our country. Furthermore, this is a token of appreciation and confirmation of the important role that Poland plays on the global technology map,” he added.
About the European Leadership Academy’s Schools for Female Leadership in the Digital Age:
Huawei and the Schools for Female Leadership in the Digital Age aim to recognize and actively support the immense potential of female talent, empowering women to lead the technological revolution.
Applications remain open until April 30, 2024, and can be submitted through the European Leadership Academy’s website: https://www.europeanleadershipacademy.eu/. An independent jury comprising business leaders, academics, policymakers, equality advocates, and civil society representatives from across Europe will select the 29 applicants to receive full scholarships for this week-long program. Participants will be chosen from each of the 27 EU Member States, with additional seats reserved for representatives from the Western Balkans Six and Ukraine.
Since its foundation in 2021, the European Leadership Academy programs have garnered over 9,000 applications from across Europe, establishing them as a premier opportunity for women seeking to shape the future of technology. Modules cover various topics including leadership, AI ethics, public speaking, emerging technologies, sustainability, entrepreneurship, diversity, tech for good, open innovation, humanities to STEM transition, global collaboration, cybersecurity or project management.
Over the past three years, the Schools for Female Leadership in the Digital Age have transformed the lives of more than 100 women, empowering them to realize their leadership potential. Many alumnae now hold prominent positions in technology, business, global politics, and academia, contributing to prestigious institutions and international organizations such as MIT, the UN or the European Commission, with one alumna serving as Estonia’s youngest Member of Parliament. Others have ventured into entrepreneurship, spearheading innovative climate tech solutions through their start-ups.
For young women, participating in the European Leadership Academy programs represents a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The 2021 Austrian representative Lisa OBERAIGNER said: “I loved that the Summer School exposed me to leaders from backgrounds completely different from my own. This gave me a lot of new perspectives and ideas, which I think helps a lot in developing leadership skills and choosing a career. The program had a great mix of speeches, workshops, and social events, and the effort Huawei made for us was incredible!” In 2022, Polish participant Marta MUSIDLOWSKA highlighted: “I don’t remember when was the last time I felt so powerful and so close to myself,” with fellow Swedish alumna Elova RYEGÅRD adding: “Huawei doing this is amazing. I think all big tech firms should be doing it because this is the way to inspire young women to get into tech.”
Ahead of the 2023 Summer School in Valencia, Spain’s Minister of Education Pilar ALEGRÍA congratulated the students wishing that they “will be able to take advantage of this unique opportunity that Huawei offers. Each one of you comes from a different country and field of training, but the goal is common: to close the gender gap in Europe and to promote female leadership in the digital age.”
Marc ANGEL, Vice-President of the European Parliament and member of the Jury, praised the Schools’ ambition and spoke of the need to “promote digital skills and education, challenge digital stereotypes and advocate for more women entrepreneurs. A sustainable, just, competitive, and equitable economy and society requires indeed the active engagement of women.”
Closing the 2022 edition in Prague, Christa SCHWENG, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (2020-2023), said: “Technology concerns all aspects in our lives. Basic digital knowledge will be important for 90% of all jobs. This requires different sets of skills, which is why programmes like this School are so important, as today only 1 out of 5 girls opt for technology careers.”
For more information, please visit the European Leadership Academy website: https://www.europeanleadershipacademy.eu/
Watch the video announcing the 2024 Summer School in Poland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=LAVIPAxUmZ4
PR Archives: Latest, By Company, By Date