Huawei, KDIPA Launch Coveted ICT Skill Competition

Huawei Technologies Kuwait has announced the launch of its Kuwait ICT Skill Competition 2017 in a strategic partnership with Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA). Aimed at university students, the program seeks to unearth and nurture Kuwait’s finest ICT talent. In line with Huawei’s mandate to support Kuwait’s 2035 Vision for growth of critical industries and the government’ digitization strategy, the nationwide competition will foster development for the young leaders of tomorrow responsible for driving the country’s digital transformation. Interested students can register online from now until October 10, 2017 though our online portal, www.huaweiacad.com.

The competition is a critical initiative for enhancing the quality of future ICT professionals, a key pillar in Kuwait’s agenda of building a knowledge-based economy. The competition increases national ICT competitiveness and contributes to local communities. The generation of students involved is expected to lead Kuwait’s ICT industry into the future by embracing the digital transformation. The ICT Skill Competition is specifically designed to prepare this generation for such a responsibility.

Students from Kuwait’s leading universities will be selected to participate in the competition and undergo rigorous tests. Fifteen among them will then compete in Kuwait’s finals that will take place between 5 and 10 November. Kuwait’s three finalists will be given the opportunity to travel to Huawei’s home in Shenzhen, China, where the final stage of the competition will take place between 11 and 15 December. In the past, the competition has attracted top talent globally, with competitors hailing from countries ranging from the Netherlands to Malaysia to Pakistan. 

Not only will the winners of the competition receive certificates, trophies, and prizes, they will also have an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to China and gain insider access to a top global ICT company. Huawei will grant the winners an exclusive fully paid trip to the company’s international headquarters in Shenzhen and the chance to meet with the brand’s leadership. They will gain unrivaled exposure to Huawei’s expertise in telecommunications, enterprise, and consumer business, not to mention a priceless cultural experience and knowledge exchange.

The competition is part of Huawei’s longstanding effort to have a positive impact on the community in which it operates. Huawei has already implemented a ‘Seeds for the Future’ program offering training and internships opportunities to promising students across Kuwait. The ICT Skill Competition offers students additional opportunities to gain valuable experience in the industry. Participants will work in a real laboratory, and tackle some of the industry’s most complex challenges. The competition material is based on advanced IP and IT material, and tests competitors on their knowledge of cloud computing, switching, routing, and network security. It is a unique opportunity for students to test their abilities in ICT’s most cutting edge fields.

The ICT Skill Competition works in partnership with local government authorities to ensure Huawei is doing all it can, in collaboration with Kuwait’s leading universities, to nurture local ICT talent and empower industry leaders of tomorrow. As one of the world’s leading innovators, the promotion of innovation and creativity among ICT students is essential to Huawei.

“Advancing local ICT skills is central to Huawei and we are thrilled to bring our global ICT Skills Competition to Kuwait for the very first time. We strongly believe that investing in the next generation of technology leaders is an investment for the future and would like to thank Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and other local partners for their unwavering support. Huawei remains committed to collaborate with the Kuwaiti government, business leaders, academic institutions and other key stakeholders to drive the country’s digital transformation forward’, said Mr. Trevor Liu, Huawei Technologies Kuwait CEO.

In addition to awarding US$ 30,000 cash prize to the most outstanding team, the next two teams will claim second place and three teams will be awarded third place. The next seven teams will receive Excellence Prizes, while 6 tutors and 5 academic institutions will also be recognized with the ‘Excellent Tutor’ and ‘Best Academy’ Prizes. Winners of the Kuwait Finals will be granted traineeship or employment opportunities with Huawei, as part of its Enterprise Business Group, where they will be exposed to a combination of innovative technologies, including cloud computing, Software-Defined Networking (SDN), Big Data, and Internet of Things (IoT) and interact with ICT experts from different industries such as government, oil & gas and banking. All Competition winners will be rewarded with Huawei’s latest laptops and smartphones.