Huawei holds ICT competition in Bahrain to develop tech skills

Huawei, the telecom giant, under its initiative to build a technology eco-system, inaugurated the regional finals of the Huawei ICT Competition 2023-2024 at Bahrain Polytechnic on Tuesday.

More than 27,500 students from over 600 universities across 21 Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries have participated in this year’s Middle East & Central Asia Huawei ICT Competition – marking the highest level of participation in the seven-year competition history.

Since its launch in 2017, Huawei’s ME and CA ICT Competition has become the largest and most influential initiative in the region, a powerful program for cultivating ICT talent and improving ME & CA countries’ national competitiveness with ICT future leaders.

The competition has received support and endorsements from UNESCO and more than 20 regional ministries, operators, and industry partners.

Ni Ruchi, the Ambassador of People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Bahrain, stated, “Focusing on future development and benefiting people around the world, the ICT Competition is a successful practice of Huawei. It creates opportunities for young people to learn advanced technologies and accumulate valuable experiences. It also provides a window for young people to have a deeper understanding of Huawei and China.”

Bahrain develops youth skills with Huawei’s support

The initiative has received support from Bahrain’s government and is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, and in partnership with the University of Bahrain and Bahrain Polytechnic.

Osama Alsayed, Deputy CEO – Corporate Affairs – Bahrain Polytechnic, said, “Bahrain Polytechnic took the opportunity to be an academic partner for this competition, which is a testament to our institution’s commitment to creating an environment where young minds can flourish. It is an honor to collaborate with Huawei, a global leader in technology and innovation, to host such a prestigious international competition at our campus. This partnership signifies our shared vision of developing talent, fostering innovation, and advancing the field of information and communication technology.”

Twenty-two teams consisting of 66 national winners from 11 Middle Eastern & Central Asian countries, including Bahrain, Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, and Oman, will participate in exams, field trips and workshops in Bahrain from December 19-21.

Each team comprises of three students and one tutor. Iraq, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Saudi have three teams each, while Jordan, Kazakhstan, and Bahrain have two teams each. One team is participating from the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait each.

During this period, the students will participate in the Practice Competition that includes the Network, Cloud, and Computing Tracks. They will be tested on their theoretical knowledge and hands-on ICT skills, as well as their ability to work in a team.

Participants will be ranked according to their scores for lab exams.

Aziz Tang, CEO, Huawei Bahrain, said, “As we stand on the verge of a bold future, Huawei is honored to be a driving force in developing ICT talent in the region. Huawei ICT competition 2023-2024 has become a beacon for nurturing ICT talent and shaping the future leaders of the digital economy. This endeavor would not be achievable without the help of a supportive and encouraging ICT talent ecosystem.”

The ‘Instructor Summit’ will also take place on the opening day, where Huawei will host insightful discussions on the vital role of public-private partnerships in bridging the digital talent gap and preparing students for a successful transition into the workforce. The tutors from regional universities will also share their best practices and strategies for leveraging technology in education.

The best performing teams will be crowned regional winners of the Huawei ICT Competition Middle East & Central Asia 2023-2024. They will move forward to the global finals of the Huawei ICT Competition, which will take place in May 2024 in China. The Closing and Awarding Ceremony will be held on December 21, 2023, at the University of Bahrain. A panel discussion featuring regional ICT leaders on the topic “Building the ICT talent ecosystem” will be held during the event as well.

Huawei ICT Competition is targeted at working with UNESCO, government authorities, colleges and universities in the Middle East & Central Asia to identify, support and grow the future leaders of ICT. The programme attempts to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace, thus enhancing students’ future employment opportunities in the ICT sector through knowledge sharing on the latest ICT developments, international trends, and hands-on skills development training at Huawei’s state-of-the-art labs, R&D centers and facilities.