ShareKUWAIT: At the 2023 edition of Huawei’s global program ‘Seeds for the Future’ in Doha, Qatar, industry leaders and academicians delved into the current state of ICT talent in the Middle East region and challenges in the broader digital transformation agenda, emphasizing the crucial need to elevate the skill set of the younger generation. Participants recognized the significance of aligning youth skills with the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Under the overarching theme of “ICT Talent and Youth Power Driving Digital Innovation and Shaping the Sustainable Future of the MECA Region,” Dr Khalid Al-Begain, president of Kuwait College of Science and Technology, joined other luminaries in a panel discussion featuring academics and tech experts from the Middle East and Central Asia with the participation of over 175 students from 15 countries.
Prominent figures from academia, the technology sector, research institutions, and training organizations participated in the seminar including Dr Ahmed K Elmagarmid, Executive Director of Qatar Computing and Research Institute, QCRI, Qatar Foundation; Reem Almugbel, Vice Governor of Planning & Business Development at Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, TVTC– KSA; Rustam Karimjonov, Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan; and Maya Zhu, Global CSR Lead, Huawei Public Affairs and Communications Department.
During the exchange, presenters emphasized the importance of collaboration, innovation, and enhancing the culture of innovation in the region and the necessity of nurturing local technical talents to pave the way for sustainable digital futures built upon knowledge. The attendees also stressed the need to enrich university curricula and teaching systems with practical training provided by experienced technology companies to prepare graduates for active participation in driving social and economic progress in their countries, aligning with current national plans, strategies, and visions that focus on maximizing the use of technology.
The participants acknowledged the importance of activating further cooperation and partnership frameworks between the public and private sectors in training young technical talents. Dr. Al-Begain said: “Artificial Intelligence holds immense potential to transform societies. Nurturing ICT talent is pivotal to realizing this potential, and global technology leaders must collaborate with government entities to expedite its progress.” One global tech company spearheading such public-private partnerships in talent development is Huawei, which has invested heavily to help equip Kuwait’s talent with the necessary skills to compete in the global marketplace.
Based on the company’s pursuit of an open and shared ICT talent ecosystem, the company has collaborated effectively with local entities such as the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), CAIT (Central Agency for Information and Technologies), and Youth Public Authority (YPA) to create a positive, long-lasting impact. To further contribute to local ICT talent development, Huawei has also partnered with leading education institutions like the Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) and Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST) to establish Huawei ICT Academies at their respective campuses, which provide industry training and certification to their students.
In addition, the company launched the Huawei Innovation and Training Center in Hamra Tower to transfer knowledge to Kuwaiti students. Additionally, Huawei and the Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST) partnered with a Huawei 5G Lab and 5G Star simulation training system as part of the Huawei ICT Academy at KCST last year. The collaboration will boost ICT talent development across the country and facilitate new digital business models, supporting economic transformation in line with Kuwait’s Vision 2035.
These initiatives underscore the need to bridge the gap between classroom teaching and real-world industry demands. While our universities have endeavoredto nurture talent and rank highly in ICT curriculums, a rapidly shifting digital landscapeplaces new demands on the IT workforce. “As university administrators, we cannot produce graduates ready for every industry; our role is to produce graduates capable of learning and acquiring new knowledge needed for their businesses.
Therefore, we will benefit immensely from any help from the private sector to shape thetalent needs of the industry. And that’swhy we are very grateful to have Huawei engaged inthe Seeds for the Future initiative,” Dr Al-Begain added. Seeds for the Future is part of Huawei’s corporate social responsibility efforts and reflects its collaboration with the region’s government, private, and academic institutions.
It aims to contribute to developing the digital economy and global ecosystem by empowering technical talents. With a growing emphasis on innovation and technological progress, the program provides young individuals with a distinctive platform to exchange ideas and connect with peers worldwide. It offers valuable insights into the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, enabling participants to shape their future and actively engage in the digital society.
