Chinese information and communications technology (ICT) heavyweight Huawei is launching its ICT training programme in Botswana
Named Seeds for the Future (SFTF), the initiative is a part of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme. The ICT training programme is designed to help cultivate ICT professionals and is being implemented in 45 countries globally. It will commence in Botswana in November 2015.
Ramasala Ntwaetsile, deputy director for Huawei Botswana, said that the project is expected to drive knowledge transformation and development of the country’s ICT industry. “Participating students will have the chance to study the latest ICT technologies, Huawei’s corporate culture and management experience, visit Huawei’s exhibition halls and campuses,” he said.
The top ten ICT achievers from University of Botswana will be selected to pilot the project and will be sent to China for two months. There, they will explore and learn about the latest ICT technologies including 5G, SDN, NFV and cloud computing.
Huawei will implement the project in collaboration with Botswana’s Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Education Skills Development, University of Botswana and the Chinese Embassy in Botswana.
Neil Fitt, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Communications, said that the beneficiaries of the SFTF programme should go on to become industry leaders and the backbone of the country’s ICT industry.
Appreciating Huawei’s efforts to bridge the skills gap in Botswana’s ICT sector, Li Nan, political counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Botswana, said, “We encourage Huawei to make it more frequent and routine, so that more people can benefit.”
SFTF was launched in Namibia and Kenya last year, and the company plans to extend the project to other African countries including South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Ethiopia and others.
