Huawei, the world’s leading ICT solutions provider has announced 10 outstanding ICT talents from five renowned universities of Bangladesh. The champions have been announced recently in a virtually organized gala event for ‘Seeds for the Future 2020’.

The event was started with the welcome speech of Chen Mingjie (Jay), Vice President, Huawei Asia Pacific Region with the presence of the Chief Guest Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury, MP, Hon’ble Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education, and the special guest, Beatrice Kaldun, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh. Zhang Zhengjun, CEO of Huawei Technologies (Bangladesh) Ltd., and other officials of Huawei along with the champions also joined the event.

A total of 500 students partook in the selection phases, and from there, 10 champions have been selected based on their CGPA (Cumulative Grade Points Average), spot examination and their presentation on new technology and innovative companies. 

Huawei has been organizing this event in Bangladesh for the last five years. Traditionally, the chosen students would go to China for a study trip for two-week; however, due to COVID-19, the training has been shifted to an online program. 

The 5-day online program will consist of compulsory courses, live-streamed sessions with Huawei experts and guest speakers, elective courses, and self-learning about Chinese culture. The core curriculum will cover 5G, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and many more. On the other hand, the elective courses might vary from the digital economy, industry trends to leadership skills. 

On this gala event today, Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury said, “Today, it is becoming increasingly important for developing economies like Bangladesh to adopt the rapidly changing skills landscapes. To become more competitive and follow the fast pace of technological innovation globally, developing economies need to enhance the knowledge and skills of the youth who, later in the future, will become the next change-makers and leaders. ICT will empower the youth and lead them to make a good contribution to society. This is much appreciable when the localized global ICT leader Huawei is taking the responsibility of grooming ICT talents of Bangladesh.” 

Beatrice Kaldun commented, “More than ever before, ICT talent and innovative ICT solutions are needed to respond to the myriad challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Huawei, through the Seeds for  the Future Programme, is supporting talented Bangladeshi youth to acquire the skills and cutting-edge knowledge in areas of ICT that will enable them to thrive in their professional careers and make a contribution to the sustainable development of Bangladesh”

Chen Mingjie said, “We have a huge amazing resource and that is the large portion of youth and talents in Bangladesh. Huawei believes youth is the main engine of development as well as digital advancement. We value them and praise their competency. And we feel our responsibility to guide them so that they can select the right path; realize their value and contribute to the developments of society. With that inspiration, Huawei has come up with the topic for its social benefit programs in the country; ‘Seeds for the Future’, an ICT talent hunt education program that is devoted to easing ICT talent shortage. With this project, we want to plant that visionary seed in their mind so that in the coming years they can come up with new ideas to make this society fully connected and intelligent.”

The Seeds for the Future 2020 champions are Afsara Benazir and Khandaker Mushfiqur Rahman from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (CSE Department), Tasnia Sultana and Abdullah Al Miraj from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (EEE Department), Rabeya Tus Sadia and Amit Karmakar from Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (CSE Department), Adiba Tabassum Chowdhury and Arifur Rahman from Dhaka University (EEE Department), and Faria Rahman and Foyez-ul Islam from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (EEE Department).