Seeds for the Future is Huawei’s global CSR flagship
program. Launched in 2008, it aims to help nurture local talent, promote
knowledge transfer, increase people’s understanding and interest in the ICT
industry, and encourage countries and regions to participate in the digital
community building.
By 2021, the program has been implemented in 131 countries
and territories worldwide, with nearly 9,000 students participating. Since
2014, the program has been held in sub-Saharan African countries. So far, 25
countries in Africa, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Ghana, have
participated in the training, which has so far benefitted more than 1,000
students.
In this year’s training, Huawei has paid more attention to
bridging the gender divide in science and technology training. More than
one-third of the total number of Seeds candidates were women.
According to the Mobile Economy in Sub-Saharan Africa 2020
report, released by the Global Association for Mobile Telecommunications
Systems, sub-Saharan Africa is the fastest growing region in the world, and
African countries have entered a rapid development of the digital economy era.
In this process, ICT technologies are an important engine that drives
countries’ development, and mastering of ICT technologies is the engine’s key.
Through programs such as Seeds for the Future, Huawei
cultivates ICT knowledge and skills for local youth. During COVID-19 pandemic,
the program took place via online learning, and in person where possible.
Students were offered the flexibility to access several ICT
courses online at their own pace. They were invited to participate in science
and technology roundtables, and interact with youth around the world in real
time. Through 5G live broadcasts, students were able to join guided tours of
Huawei exhibition halls and historic cultural sites in China.
Meanwhile, under the guidance of professional mentors from
the Huawei’s Tech4Good program, they were encouraged to design solutions to
solve developmental challenges facing eachof their countries, and realize the
value of practical application of the theory they had learned.
Other highlights include: In Ghana, nine ICT training
sessions were held in junior high schools, senior high schools and
universities. Currently, the ICT training program is still under way. In
Madagascar, it provided basic digital skills and training to more than 30
women.
Governments in sub-Saharan Africa have also given high
interest to the project. The South African government has included a series of
talent development initiatives, including Seeds for the Future, in its national
digital economy master plan.
The heads of state of Uganda, Mauritius, and Malawi have
highly praised Huawei’s talent development plan. The President of Mauritius,
Prithvirajsing Roopun said Huawei’s project would help build a national ICT
talent team, strengthen youth employment capabilities, and support the National
Digital Mauritius 2030 Strategic Plan.
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