Huawei South Africa is calling on ICT students interested in participating in the annual Seeds for the Future programme to apply for the 2021 online course. This year the syllabus is designed to get students thinking about how to use technology to address social and environmental issues under Huawei’s Tech4Good program.

“In the Tech4Good program we want to encourage and develop a sense of social responsibility and foster innovation in our young people. We want them to think about how to use technology to solve complex global issues, like climate change for example,” says Kian Chen, Huawei SA Deputy CEO.

In South Africa, Huawei has partnered with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, since 2016 to implement this global flagship CSR campaign.

The course is designed to develop skilled, local ICT talent and bridge communication between countries and cultures. Every year, Huawei and the DCDT give a group of outstanding students the chance to study new technologies and experience Chinese culture on a study trip to Beijing and Shenzhen.

However, since 2020 the Seeds for the Future takes place online due to the global Covid 19 pandemic. Fifty students will be chosen to participate and will follow live-streamed lectures and online course material. The course will include modules on AI, 5G broadband, cloud computing and the Internet of Things, as well as virtual tours of the Huawei campus in Dongguan, China, and interactions with other course participants from around the world and access to Chinese cultural resources.

Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams is encouraging ICT students to register for this year’s Seeds for the Future program. Her department is charged with implementing South Africa’s digital economy ambitions.  “The speed of change in technology demands an equal speed in acquiring the skills that the industry demands, our partnership with Huawei supports our National Digital and Future Skills Strategy. We acknowledge Huawei’s commitment to training our future ICT leaders and wish the Seeds Class of 2021 the very best learning experience,” the Minister says.

Selection criteria

• Total number of participants: 20 – 50 students
• South Africa citizen
• All university students with ICT related major (Computer Science, Electronic Science, Information Technology, Software, Engineering, etc.)
• Average of 70% academic marks
• Have a strong interest in telecommunications and technologies
• Team player and dedicated to training tasks (including but not limited to training tests and completing a high-quality essay)
• Interest in China and Chinese culture
• Gender balance, 50% or more female participants

Applicants should submit an application package by 23^rd July 2021, to the following e-mail address: saseeds@huawei.com and mtau@dtps.gov.za

• An application package should contain:
• Completed application form containing; Personal Details such as Name, Gender, Race, DoB, motivation for your selection.
• Academic Records – including report for the last academic year and current progress
• ID copy
• Recommendation or Reference letter from Faculty/Division Head (optional, prefer to have)
• CV (optional)
• Any supporting documents

Huawei and the DCDT will select the best suitable candidates based on their written submissions and online interviews to determine the final students by 29 July 2021.

TOP IMAGE CAPTION: DCTD Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and Seeds for the Future, Class of 2020.