Senior speakers from academic and industry organizations highlighted the importance of building an ICT talent ecosystem through public-private partnerships across the region.
On the sidelines of the Huawei ICT Competition 2023-2024 Regional Final Awards Ceremony, the University of Bahrain hosted an exclusive forum on ICT talent development featuring senior speakers from ICT industry associations and prominent universities in the region.
The University of Bahrain is a partner of the Huawei ICT Competition 2023-2024 Regional Finals and hosted the official closing and awards ceremony for this year’s program.
The panel discussion at the forum featured Dr. Jassim Haji, Chairman of the International Artificial Intelligence Group. Dr. Hessa Jassim Al Junaid, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology, University of Bahrain; Dr. Tilda Karkur Akiki, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Kaslik University of the Holy Spirit (USEK); and Amr Hashem, Policy Director, GSMA MENA. The discussion was moderated by Ammar Tobba, Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, Huawei Middle East and Central Asia Region.
Distinguished speakers will discuss the challenges and future opportunities in building an ICT talent ecosystem, and how public and private sectors can foster ICT talent innovation, support university curricula with practical skills and training, and foster socio-economic growth in countries in the region. We discussed the value of partnership.
Panelists also shared their thoughts on driving digital transformation, building a sustainable knowledge-based digital economy in the region, and improving national competitiveness in line with the government’s national plan and vision. Gender equality in technology was also highlighted as an urgent need during the discussion. The forum was attended by university students, tutors, government partners, ICT experts, academia and media representatives from 11 participating countries in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Dr. Hessa Jassim Al Junaid, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology at the University of Bahrain, emphasized the importance of open collaboration between universities and the public and private sectors to develop curricula and improve students’ skills on emerging technologies such as 5G and 5G. Emphasized gender. cyber security. She said: “Huawei’s ICT talent initiative provides students with practical skill development opportunities through practical challenges and real-world scenarios facilitated by Huawei experts and experts. Criticisms among participants Promotes analytical thinking and confidence building.Winning or receiving recognition in a competition can act as a valuable addition to a student’s academic portfolio and highlight their accomplishments.
“Every year, the number of registered students in Huawei’s ICT talent competition increases, which shows its growing popularity. IT department students who participated in the Huawei ICT talent competition have the benefit of the benefits offered in the competition. Demonstrated high employability through relevant skills, industry knowledge, problem-solving ability, teamwork experience, and industry visibility. Additionally, this competition allows students to earn internationally recognized Huawei professional certifications. We encourage you to do so.”
A recent study by PwC estimates that AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Speaking at the forum, Dr. Jassim Haji, Chairman of the International Artificial Intelligence Group and Executive Advisor of the Nasser AI R&D Center, explained how AI will contribute to the global economy. Technology will impact undergraduate engineers. “AI tools are poised to transform the way talented students learn and create, providing a wealth of benefits such as job market guidelines, course selection and curriculum advice,” he said. . Additionally, generative AI creates tests tailored to each student’s learning preferences, interactive activities, and even life-like simulations. ”
Dr. Tilda Karkur Akiki, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Kaslik Holy Spirit University (USEK), discusses how ICT students can contribute to the digital transformation of today’s industries, and in particular the urgent need to close the ICT talent gap. We shared our thoughts about sex. She encourages more women to participate. She said: It is strategically essential for sustainable innovation. It is where diverse perspectives in digital solutions shape our world and ensure a more inclusive and resilient future where innovation is unrestricted. Women leading the way with both determination and empathy will turn challenges into opportunities and foster a collaborative environment where all voices are heard. ”
GSMA is a global organization that unites the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovations that are fundamental to positive business environments and social change. Its vision is to unleash the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society can thrive. Amr Hashem, Policy Director, GSMA MENA, shared remarks on developing young talent in the telecommunications industry, especially in light of the acceleration of 5G deployment. He said: “At GSMA, we believe that investing in the development of ICT talent is essential to the future success of the telecommunications industry. To rapidly deploy 5G technology, we need to drive innovation and meet the evolving demands of the digital age. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry through initiatives like the Huawei ICT Competition, we are empowering the next generation of professionals and empowering the Middle East and Central Asia. We can ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for the ICT sector.”
Ammar Toba, Vice President of Huawei ME and CA Regional Public Affairs and Communications, said: “His ICT talent development programs, such as the Huawei ICT Competition, will contribute to bridging the digital divide and narrowing the digital skills gap, developing young talent in the industry and strengthening his ICT talent.” across the region. Ecosystem. As a global technology leader, Huawei is committed to supporting local governments’ national plans and visions to build a strong knowledge-based digital economy powered by local talent. ”
Since its launch in 2017, Huawei’s ICT Competition has become the largest and most influential initiative in the region, developing ICT talent and improving countries’ national competitiveness with future leaders in ICT. It is a powerful program for The competition is supported and endorsed by UNESCO and more than 20 local ministries, operators and industry partners.
This year, more than 27,500 students from more than 600 universities in 21 countries in the Middle East and Central Asia participated in the Huawei ICT Competition in the Middle East and Central Asia, marking the highest level of participation in the seven-year history of the competition. I recorded it. 22 teams comprising 66 national winners from 11 countries in the Middle East and Central Asia including Bahrain, Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE and Oman will compete in the second edition of the competition. Participated in the regional finals. Kingdom of Bahrain from December 19th to 21st, 2023.
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