Zimbabwe's ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera addresses the launch ceremony of the Seeds for the Future program in Harare, Zimbabwe, Oct. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara)
HARARE, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese telecom giant Huawei on Tuesday officially launched the 2023 edition of the Seeds for the Future program in Zimbabwe, its flagship program that aims to groom local talents in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector.
A total of 50 undergraduate students from Zimbabwe's universities will undergo a week-long virtual training course to upgrade their ICT knowledge and skills from Nov. 20 to 27.
In a speech read on her behalf by Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Simelisizwe Sibanda, Zimbabwe's First Lady and Patron of the Seeds for the Future program, Auxillia Mnangagwa, said building ICT skills in young people is imperative as the world is undergoing a digital revolution.
As Zimbabwe strives to develop its ICT sector for the transformation of the economy, there is a gap between the knowledge taught in the classroom and the skills that are necessary in the modern world, said Mnangagwa.
"Through the Seeds for the Future program and other initiatives, Huawei helps to address this problem," she noted, thanking Huawei for the support both in skills transfer and infrastructure development.
Yang Shengwan, Huawei Zimbabwe Managing Director, said the firm is committed to coaching local ICT talents and bridging the gap between academia and industry.
"Huawei runs Seeds for the Future, ICT Academy, ICT competition, internships, campus recruitment programs to develop ICT technologies and ICT talents in Zimbabwe," he said while addressing the launch ceremony.
Since the program was first introduced in Zimbabwe in 2015, Huawei, the ministry and local universities have worked together to provide the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge ICT technologies, Yang added.
Some 1,245 students have been trained in the Huawei ICT Academy, he said.
Speaking at the same event, Zimbabwe's ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera expressed gratitude to China and Chinese companies such as Huawei that have been at the forefront of developing Zimbabwe's ICT infrastructure and skills training.
As a long-term friend and partner, China is committed to enhancing cooperation with Zimbabwe in the ICT sector, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding reiterated the importance of ICT in modern economies.
"Digital talents are pivotal for fostering the high-quality development of a digital economy. I believe that the Seeds for the Future program will continue to serve as an enabler and catalyst in propelling Zimbabwe's digital economy and high-tech sector forward," said Zhou.
The Seeds for the Future program has provided opportunities to Zimbabwean university students to learn cutting-edge ICT technologies, industrial know-how from Huawei, and Chinese culture since its launch in Zimbabwe.
This photo taken on Oct. 24, 2023 shows trainees of the 2023 edition of the Seeds for the Future program at the launch ceremony in Harare, Zimbabwe. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara)
Yang Shengwan, Huawei Zimbabwe Managing Director, addresses the launch ceremony of the Seeds for the Future program in Harare, Zimbabwe, Oct. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara)
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