Huawei Launches ICT Competition 2024-2025 to Empower Youth in Middle East and Central Asia
Huawei has officially announced the 2024-2025 edition of its annual ICT Competition, organized in partnership with UNESCO's Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE). The competition is expected to attract over 30,000 students from 21 countries across the Middle East and Central Asia (ME&CA), providing an exciting platform for young talents to showcase their skills in technology.
This year’s competition features a redesigned format aimed at expanding opportunities for youth. The National Preliminary and National Final stages will take place in each participating country, while the Regional Final exams and pre-Global Final training will also be conducted locally for the first time. The Huawei ICT Competition is open to all students from Huawei ICT Academies, universities, colleges, and educational institutions in the region.
Steven Yi, President of Huawei Middle East & Central Asia, stated, "The Huawei ICT Competition represents our commitment to making advanced digital skills more accessible to youth across the Middle East and Central Asia. This competition is not just about recognizing talent; it's about nurturing the digital leaders of tomorrow who will drive innovation and digital transformation in their respective countries."
Returning for its third year, the Innovation Competition will challenge participants' capabilities in technical innovation within the AI and ICT sectors. Contestants will be tasked with designing solutions that provide both social and commercial value, utilizing Huawei's AI technologies or combining AI with other technologies such as IoT, big data, cloud computing, and mobile internet. Participants will create software and integrated hardware-software solutions to address specific industry challenges and real-life scenarios.
The competition will include Network, Cloud, and Computing Tracks, assessing students’ theoretical knowledge and practical ICT skills, as well as their teamwork abilities. Written exams will take place during the National Preliminary and National Final stages, while lab exams will occur at the Regional and Global Final stages.
To support participants, Huawei will provide comprehensive mentorship and training programs, allowing students to learn directly from Huawei experts about the latest ICT developments and gain hands-on skills.
Huawei will conduct a series of roadshows from August to October 2024 to promote student registrations across the region. The National Preliminary and Finals for ME&CA countries are anticipated to be held in October and November, with national finalists receiving special training to prepare for the Regional Finals.
Winners of the Regional Finals will be awarded prestigious certificates, gifts, and Huawei devices, along with internship opportunities at Huawei offices in their home countries. The competition will also recognize outstanding ICT Academies and instructors for their role in cultivating ICT talent.
Since its inception in 2017, the Huawei ICT Competition has grown significantly, with the 2023-2024 edition attracting over 27,500 students from more than 600 universities across the region. It has garnered support from UNESCO IITE and over 20 regional ministries, operators, and industry partners.
Students from registered universities across the Middle East and Central Asia are encouraged to participate in this year’s competition. More information and registration details can be found on the Huawei website.
