Huawei announced today the launch of the finals of the ICT Competition in the Middle East and Central Asia 2024-2025 at King Saud University in Riyadh. The event coincides with the tenth anniversary of the launch of the Huawei ICT Academy in the region, and its activities take place over three days, in which more than 300 technical university students from 19 countries in the Middle East and Central Asia compete.
This year’s edition of the Huawei ICT Competition witnessed unprecedented participation, with more than 31,000 students registered from 640 regional universities and colleges in 19 countries in the Middle East and Central Asia. Participations included competition in the fields of innovation and practical practice across multiple tracks, including cloud technologies, networks, computing, and artificial intelligence.
Shunlei Wang, Vice President of Huawei in the Middle East and Central Asia, said: “Since its launch, the Huawei ICT Competition has contributed to activating paths to stimulate joint efforts aimed at bridging the digital talent gap in the region in preparation for the era of smart digital technologies. The regional finals of this competition, which are currently being held in The capital, Riyadh, coincides with the tenth anniversary of the launch of the Huawei ICT Academy in the region, our continued commitment to the approach of preparing technical human cadres and supporting the various stages of development of the next generation of ICT specialists who will contribute to advancing… The wheel of digital transformation and contribute to achieving the national plans and visions of their countries. We affirm from this position that we will extend the hand of cooperation in the field of building more strategic partnerships with various public and private sectors on the path to consolidating the idea of digitization and refining the talents and practical experiences of young people so that they can take their position as active parties in development plans and strategies. Social, economic and building a sustainable digital economy in the region.
Dr. Ibrahim Al-Watban, Dean of the Technical College in Buraidah, affiliated with the General Corporation for Technical and Vocational Training in the Kingdom, confirmed that thanks to the strong partnership with technology industry leaders such as Huawei and through the innovations, solutions and vital training platforms for qualifying cadres provided by the Huawei Academy for Information and Communications Technology, which today celebrates its tenth anniversary. For its establishment, Buraidah Technical College consolidates its position at the forefront of technical training facilities as the first support center in the Kingdom. Huawei’s innovative artificial intelligence solutions, for example, enable it to provide advanced education and training that prepares graduates for the requirements of the labor market.
The activities of the first day included the launch of the ICT Trainers Competition organized by Huawei on the sidelines of the event, where the trainers, who were university professors and experienced academic experts, demonstrated their academic methodological skills and expertise in teaching information technology through presentations and comprehensive practical proposals. In parallel, the Huawei Innovation Competition was held in which student teams participated and presented innovative ideas for pioneering projects in various fields, including artificial intelligence, computing, cloud, and networking technologies.
In conjunction with the launch of the competition, the Huawei ICT Academy in the Middle East and Central Asia will celebrate this year the 10th anniversary of the launch of its programs to prepare and develop technical talent in the region. Over the past decade, the Academy has trained more than 300,000 students, issued certificates to more than 35,000 talents, and developed a network of more than 2,000 qualified trainers. Through the strategic partnerships of 106 academies with prestigious universities and institutes in the region that receive support from six central support centers throughout the region, the academy’s platform and its affiliated programs have proven themselves as a fundamental pillar for the development of digital learning in the region, and have been a pioneering model for partnership between the public and private sectors on the way to… Preparing the next generation of technology leaders, refining their skills, and raising the level of their expertise to serve their countries.
Since its launch in 2017, the Huawei ICT Competition in the Middle East and Central Asia has become the largest and most influential initiative in the region, an advanced program to develop ICT talent and improve the national competitiveness of countries in the region with future ICT leaders. The competition received support and endorsement from UNESCO and more than 20 regional ministries, operators and industrial partners.
The Huawei ICT Competition activities will continue tomorrow, with students and teachers participating in the competing teams making a field visit to Huawei’s innovation and technology facilities, such as the Future Space Center and the main store in Riyadh.
The initiative emphasizes Huawei’s vision of providing digital services to all individuals and institutions in order to build a smarter, more connected and interconnected world, and enhances its position as an active player in the field of corporate social responsibility and its contributions to the development of the digital ecosystem in the region.