Leading ICT Solutions provider, Huawei, today celebrated the send-off ceremony of their first Seeds for the Future students from South Africa, in partnership with the Department of Telecommunication’s and Postal Services (DTPS). The training opportunity has been awarded to 10 South African students who will receive international training through Huawei’s program in Beijing and Shenzhen, China.

Huawei’s Seeds for the Future Program is a globally recognised flagship social investment program that takes students from all around the world to receive ICT, at Huawei’s Shenzhen and Beijing branches. Every year, Huawei invites students to discuss future trends and show them how they can harness new opportunities. The name of the program represents Huawei’s desire to nurture promising young professionals with the aim to reach all countries they operate in. Huawei South Africa CEO, Mr. Steven Wu said, “It prides us to finally see this initiative kick-off in South Africa as well. The question often arose when this will happen for South Africa? We are glad that through our focus in investing in local institutions of higher learning, and our perserverance in strategic partnership with the DTPS, the breakthrough is in the horizon, and we wish our young talent returns with the required optimism and skills”

Over the past seven years, the program has been implemented in 67 countries and regions across five continents, benefiting over 15,000 students from 150 universities. More than 1,700 university students from around the world have taken a study trip to the Huawei headquarters, including more than 800 visitors in 2015. The beneficiary students are from various universities and universities of technology across South Africa, and are a vibrant mix of both male and female outstanding students. Tsholofelo Mashwabi, form Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University said, “It is not enough to be in the confines of a class room and lab when you aim to be a future leader in this ever evolving ICT space. I thank Huawei so much for offering me the opportunity to explore beyond boarders what the offerings of ICT are. I am truly excited about visiting China and getting a first world experience of ICT.”

 The partnership between Huawei and the DTPS has been long standing and positively breaking barriers in the local ICT environment. This initiative is part of the roll out of the Cooperation Contract signed between both parties earlier this year, which centered on capacity building, the joint Innovation and Experience Centre, and skills training. Minister of the DTPS Dr. Siyabonga Cwele said, “We are committed as the government to see South Africa be globally competitive. There is no better place to invest then in our youth who are the future of this country. The seeds should remember that they carry the hopes and dreams of this nation. We thank Huawei providing this platform and for the partnership.”

No one can say for sure what the future information society will be like. Huawei remains optimistic by bringing together young people of different cultures and backgrounds. Several years from now, they will unleash their potential and contribute to global progress. “Huawei is committed to doing its part to shape the future. This is our most heavily invested CSR activity, and we will continue to invest in the program over the long term.” added Mr. Hu.

Through the Seeds for the Future program, Huawei seeks to arrange for students to study cutting-edge technologies such as 5G, LTE, and cloud computing, and offer those opportunities for hands-on practice in Huawei's most advanced labs. Also, this will help them learn more about Chinese culture and gain cross-cultural work experience in a global business environment. What makes this program unique is that it also offers first-hand learning opportunities through interaction with Huawei staff and visits to Huawei laboratories, where program participants can engage in hands-on practice and witness live demonstrations of the latest ICT technology.

The Chinese Economic and Commercial Counselor Mr. Rong Yansong said: “Thanks to SA government and the DTPS Minister himself for providing support to Chinese Enterprises in South Africa, the cooperation between China and South Africa will benefit the African continent and people, wish the students can be experience ambassadors on their return to SA.”

The learners are from the Tshwane University of Technology, Central University of Technology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Cape Peninsular University of Technology and the Durban University of Technology. They are third year or B-Tech students in Communications Networks, Information Technology, Software Development and Business Applications.Some African countries that have been part of the initiative include, Kenya Namibia, Botswana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Ghana.