Senior academic and industry organizations speakers shed light on the importance of building the 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 cultivation featuring senior speakers from the ICT industry organizations and renowned regional universities. The University of Bahrain is a partner for the Huawei ICT Competition 2023-2024 regional final and hosted the official closing and awards ceremony for the program this year.
The forum panel discussion featured Dr. Jassim Haji, President, International Group of Artificial Intelligence; Dr. Hessa Jassim Al-Junaid, Dean of the College of Information Technology, University of Bahrain; Dr. Tilda Karkour Akiki, Associate Dean of the School of Engineering, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK); and Amr Hashem, Policy Director, GSMA MENA. The discussion was moderated by Ammar Tobba, VP, Public Affairs and Communications, Huawei Middle East and Central Asia Region.
The esteemed speakers discussed challenges and future opportunities in building the ICT talent ecosystem and the value of Public-Private partnerships in nurturing ICT talent innovations, supporting the university curriculum with practical skills and training, and driving the socio-economic growth of countries in the region. The panelists also shared their thoughts on driving digital transformation, building a sustainable knowledge-based digital economy in the region, and raising national competitiveness in line with the governments’ national plans and visions. Gender equality in technology was also highlighted as a pressing need during the discussion. The forum was attended by university students and tutors, government partners, ICT professionals, academia, and media representatives from 11 Middle East and Central Asia participating countries.
Dr. Hessa Jassim Al-Junaid, Dean of the College of Information Technology, University of Bahrain, stated, “The Huawei ICT Talent initiative offers students practical skill development opportunities through hands-on challenges and real-world scenarios facilitated by Huawei professionals and experts. It fosters critical thinking and confidence-building among participants. Winning or receiving recognition in the competition can serve as a valuable addition to a student’s academic portfolio, highlighting their accomplishments.”
“Annually, the Huawei ICT Talent competition attracts a growing number of registered students, indicating its increasing popularity. The College of IT students who have taken part in the Huawei ICT Talent competition have demonstrated high employability due to the competition’s provision of relevant skills, industry knowledge, problem-solving abilities, teamwork experience, and industry recognition. Additionally, the competition encourages students to pursue Huawei professional certifications that hold international recognition,” Dr. Hessa added.
Dr. Tilda Karkour Akiki, Associate Dean of the School of Engineering, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), elaborated, “Empowering women in ICT is not just about diversity; it’s a strategic imperative for sustainable innovation. It secures a more inclusive and resilient future where diverse perspectives in digital solutions shape our world and where innovation has no limit. With both determination and empathy, women leading the way will transform challenges into opportunities and will promote collaborative environments where every voice is heard.”
This year, more than 27,500 students from over 600 universities across 21 Middle Eastern & Central Asian countries participated in the Middle East & Central Asia Huawei ICT Competition – marking the highest level of participation in the seven-year competition history. Twenty-two teams consisting of 66 national winners from 11 Middle Eastern & Central Asian countries, including Bahrain, Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, and Oman, participated in the regional finals held in the Kingdom of Bahrain from December 19-21, 2023.
