Zubair Qureshi
The Huawei Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Academy programme will increase number of training slots for Pakistani students four fold, from 800 per year to over 3,000 per year.
A strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed between the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Huawei Technologies Pakistan.
Under the MoU, Huawei ICT Academies will be established in eight new universities, which will join existing 15 academies by the end of 2020, bringing the total number of universities to 23. In addition, the Training Academies in 5 of the existing universities will be upgraded. The programme will provide important support for the government’s Digital Pakistan initiative.
Chairman HEC Tariq Banuri graced the virtual signing ceremony as chief guest. The event was also attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training Ms. Wajiha Akram, Executive Director HEC Dr. Fateh Marri, Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications, Huawei Middle East Li Xiangyu (Spacelee), and a large number of Vice Chancellors.
Addressing the ceremony, Chairman HEC said the government was keen to bring about the technological transformation of the country, especially through the Digital Pakistan initiative, and the Huawei ICT Academy Programme will provide a great contribution to this objective.
He said that the programme also supports HEC’s commitment to invest in the practical skills of Pakistani youth. “HEC has launched the new undergraduate education policy, which includes a major focus on enhancing practical learning,” said he adding, “The new undergraduate programme will offer students a menu of options to acquire practical skills, including through internships, entrepreneurial training, participation in social clubs, and sports. IT skills have become essential for future success in every field of endeavor.”
The Chairman advised the Vice Chancellors to leverage the opportunities provided by the Huawei ICT Academy Programme, not only to enhance students’ skills, but also to harness technologies in the universities operations, developing collaboration with other universities, and mobilizing revenues.
He concluded by saying that the MoU was a milestone in the longstanding relationship with Huawei, and is a reflection and reaffirmation of the deep-seated friendship between Pakistan and China. “Each step that we, the Pakistani and Chinese entities, take will further strengthen the Pakistan-China relations”.
Ms. Akramcongratulated the HEC and Huawei on taking forward the ICT Academy Programme. She said the academia-enterprise cooperation projects, like the Huawei ICT Academy Programme, will help build the ICT talent ecosystem in Pakistan.“I would like to thank Huawei technologies for their efforts and investment in Pakistan, and entrusting our youth, specifically those from the rural areas.”
Mr. Spacelee said Huawei has, for many years, been privileged to contribute to the development of Pakistan’s ICT ecosystem together with local partners like HEC. “We are excited to be working with HEC again to expand the opportunities available through the Huawei ICT Academy.” He appreciated HEC’s proactive leadership in the promotion of the digital economy in Pakistan.
