Three Egerton University students will participate in the global final of the Huawei ICT Competition 2024/2025 set for Shenzhen, China, this May after the trio scooped the competition’s national and regional titles.
The three, Peterson Kariuki, Denis Syengo, and Eric Karimi Muriithi, who received cash prizes and Huawei products for their excellent performance, pledged to work hard and win at the global finals and make Kenya proud.
While underscoring the importance of ICT technological skills and collaboration between academia and industry leaders, Egerton University Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage lauded Huawei Kenya for organising the ICT competition, saying the gesture would go a long way towards addressing the skills gap in the digital economy.
The VC said that Kenyan educational institutions were aware of the importance of using technology in teaching and in producing a workforce with high technology skills, adding that the partnerships with industries such as Huawei as well as international organisations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in supporting the training of lecturers and students in high-end ICT skills such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing were a clear indication of their commitment to addressing the skills gap in the ICT sector in the country.
Prof. Kibwage described the Huawei ICT competition as a noble initiative that brings the latest curriculum and knowledge to Kenyan students and also gives them opportunities to gain more international exposure and internships, which he added were both very important and complementary to what students learnt at universities.
“As the students gear up for the Huawei ICT Global Finals, they carry the hopes of the university and the nation, showcasing the talent and expertise nurtured in Kenyan institutions,” the vice chancellor pointed out.
He encouraged more students taking Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses at local universities to participate in future Huawei ICT competitions.
“It is an opportunity for Kenyan students to showcase their ICT skills,” he said, adding that benefits were extensive and they included training and certification, internships, and job placement opportunities.
Prof. Kibwage indicated that the management of polytechnics, Technical Vocational Education Training institutions (TVETS), and universities in the country were fully aware of the importance of using technology in teaching and producing a workforce with high technology skills.
While extending his gratitude to the Ministry of Education for working with the university to ensure the success of this ICT competition and enabling the young people to build their skills and promote innovation, Prof. Kibwage said there was a need to continue the work to create value from the Digital Superhighway and pave the path for youth around the country to have a brighter future.
The Chief Executive Officer of Huawei Technologies Kenya, Gao Fei, said Huawei had established ICT Academies in over 50 universities and colleges in the country, providing access to cutting-edge technology training in networking, cloud computing, 5G, and Artificial Intelligence.
Annually, these academies are said to train more than 4,000 students, contributing significantly to the ICT skills landscape.
According to the CEO, this annual competition is part of Huawei’s ongoing commitment to nurturing digital talent and enhancing ICT skills among the youth, aligning with Kenya’s digital transformation agenda.
Fei indicated that the Huawei ICT Competition was designed to offer a platform for students to demonstrate their knowledge in key ICT areas such as Networking, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G, and Cybersecurity.
Additionally, the competition gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, access training resources, and network with industry professionals, ultimately contributing to the development of Kenya’s ICT sector.
“As we embark on the journey to create a digitally empowered Kenya, this competition is an integral part of developing the next generation of ICT leaders,” said the CEO.
He highlighted that the competition offers participants a unique opportunity to sharpen their ICT skills, with access to free learning materials, expert mentorship, and industry-recognised certifications.
According to the CEO, top-performing students stand to win potential job offers at Huawei and its partners and also get the chance to represent Kenya on the global stage in the final rounds, competing against other bright finalists from across the world.
The Huawei ICT Competition, initiated in 2015 as part of the Huawei ICT Academy, is a collaborative effort to enrich the ICT talent pool by transferring the latest knowledge from a global technology leader.
The 2024-2025 Huawei ICT Competition edition featured four distinct tracks: a Practice Competition with tracks in Network, Cloud, Computing, and Ascend Artificial Intelligence, along with an innovation competition focusing on real-world problem-solving using ICTs.
The Huawei hardware installation base in Kenya has been recognised by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy for playing a pivotal role in nurturing Kenya’s ICT talent pool and supporting national development initiatives.
Huawei has also been a key partner in Kenya’s digital transformation efforts, providing cutting-edge ICT solutions and nurturing local talent through training programmes such as the Huawei Seeds for the Future and the ICT Academy, alongside the annual ICT Competition.
By Esther Mwangi
