Doha, 10 Sept. 2023

The first phase of the Tech4Good workshop and competition, an initiative by Huawei, has successfully concluded in Doha, Qatar.  This week-long event brought together 175 students from prestigious universities across 15 Middle East and Central Asia (ME & CA) countries, including Qatar, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan.

In this inaugural phase of the Seeds for the Future program, 16 Qatari students, representing institutions such as Qatar University, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Qatar Community College, and the University of Doha for Science and Technology, actively participated. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education played host to the final ceremony at its headquarters in Doha, where the winners of the first phase of the 2023 Seeds for the Future program were honored.

Under the auspices of Qatar's Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), this regional event aims to nurture local talent, share knowledge, raise awareness within the ICT sector, and cultivate a digital community for budding ICT talents. Simultaneously, the first phase of the Tech4Good regional competition, aimed at empowering and engaging youth in driving positive change within their communities, unfolded.

Participating students showcased their Tech4Good projects to a panel of judges, resulting in the selection of seven exceptional teams consisting of 40 students to advance to the second phase of the Tech4Good program. This next phase will be held in Dubai, UAE, from September 10th to 16th, 2023, with representation from Qatar, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Mongolia, United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan.

Ammar Khalid Mohammed Al-Siyabi from Oman and Zomurd Ahmed Alhamdani from Iraq were singled out as standout mentors. Ammar was recognized for his strong leadership qualities, unwavering commitment to the vision, effective communication, and high energy. Meanwhile, Zomurd received accolades for his resilience, quietly impactful leadership style, adept handling of complex situations, and positive influence on team dynamics.

During this occasion, Alex Zhang, CEO of Huawei Technologies LLC, expressed his gratitude to Qatar for hosting the first phase of the Middle East and Central Asia leg of the Seeds for the Future program and Tech4Good competition. He extended heartfelt thanks to the sponsor, Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), and valued partners, including Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Qatar Tourism, Qatar Foundation, Vodafone, Aspire Zone, and all other contributors. Zhang expressed confidence that this gathering marked a significant milestone in nurturing ICT talent and harnessing the power of youth to drive digital innovation, thereby shaping a sustainable future for the Middle East and Central Asia region.

Dr. Salem Al-Naemi, President of the University of Doha for Sciences and Technology and representative of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, highlighted the importance of developing ICT learning and digital skills in Qatar's strategic planning. In an era of digital transformation, nurturing young talents with the necessary skills and knowledge is crucial. Huawei's Seeds for the Future program offers an exceptional training ground for future ICT practitioners, promoting international knowledge transfer among participants. Dr. Al-Naemi affirmed their commitment to nurturing young ICT talents and equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to advance economic and social development in Qatar and the region.

Eng. Hussain Salatt, Public Relations and Communication Unit Manager at CRA, expressed pleasure at attending the closing ceremony of the "Seeds for the Future" program's first phase, which showcased exceptional talents from 15 countries in the Middle East and Central Asia region. He extended gratitude to all the entities supporting the program and praised Huawei for its continuous efforts in nurturing youth talent in the ICT field and promoting innovation.

Over the course of eight days, participating students engaged in intensive training sessions and workshops in Qatar, covering cutting-edge ICT technologies, scientific and technological leadership, global topic discussions, Tech4Good group projects, and more. This immersive experience enhanced their understanding of 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cloud technologies, bolstering their capabilities for future growth and improving their competitiveness in the job market. Students also had the opportunity to visit various institutions, including Huawei's headquarters in Qatar, the National Spectrum Monitoring Center at CRA, Mada Lab, Education City, Lusail Stadium, and a tour of Doha.

Following the second phase of the Tech4Good regional competition in Dubai, UAE, the winners will qualify to compete in the final global competition in China against teams from around the world. Together, they will explore the immense potential of ICT in driving sustainable development. The victorious teams in the Tech4Good Global Competition will subsequently be invited to participate in the Tech4Good Startup Sprint in China, where they will have the chance to visit Shenzhen, Beijing, and other cities, experience real-world entrepreneurial environments, and compete for a startup support fund of US$100,000.

Huawei's Seeds for the Future program stands as the company's flagship CSR initiative, aiming to cultivate ICT talents on a global scale. As innovation and technological advancements continue to take center stage, this competition offers a unique platform for young minds to exchange ideas, network with international peers, and gain invaluable insights into the ICT sector that will shape their future, fostering their active participation in the digital community. Since its inception in 2008, more than 15,000 students from 139 countries have participated, with the program garnering endorsements from over 450 senior officials and heads of states.

Beijing, 07 Sept. 2023 (Xinhua News)

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Thursday that, so far, representatives from more than 90 countries have confirmed their participation in the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October.

Sept. 7 marks the 10th anniversary of the Silk Road Economic Belt (the Belt component of the Belt and Road Initiative), Mao Ning said, noting that hosting the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October will be the grandest event to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The forum will also serve as an important platform for all parties to discuss high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, she said.

"So far, representatives from more than 90 countries have confirmed their participation. Among them are leaders, ministers, and other official representatives of Belt and Road partner countries, as well as people from various fields, including the business community, think tanks, and civil society who actively support and participate in the Belt and Road cooperation," said the spokesperson.

Heads and representatives of many international organizations have also confirmed their attendance. It is believed that more partners will confirm their participation in the next few days, she said.

Istanbul, 06 Sept. 2023 (Anadolu News)

The upcoming summit of the Group of 20, or G-20, will bring together the leaders of the world’s richest and most influential nations in India’s capital New Delhi, marking a first for the South Asian country.

The two-day summit kicks off on Sept. 9 with a raft of pressing global issues at hand – and uncertainty over whether the bloc can put up a united front.

At its core, the G-20 is an intergovernmental forum primarily concerned with economic issues, comprised of the world’s 20 largest economies – 19 countries and the EU.

The member states are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the UK and US.

The G-20 accounts for roughly 60% of the world’s land area and two-thirds of the global population.

On the economic front, it has an overwhelming share of 80% in the global gross domestic product and 75% in international trade.

The group was founded after the Asian financial crisis of 1999, and up until 2008, its only annual meeting would bring together the treasury chiefs of the member states.

That changed with another financial crisis – the one in 2008 – and now there is a leaders’ summit every year, bringing together the heads of government or state, finance ministers, finance ministers and other high-ranking officials.

The EU, meanwhile, is represented by top officials of the European Commission, European Council and European Central Bank.

A house divided

The G-20 has a deeply divided outlook this year, particularly because of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Western countries aligned with Ukraine have said condemnation of Russia, a G-20 member, would be a prerequisite for a joint statement.

Russia calls its military activity in Ukrainian territory a “special military operation,” while Western nations view it as an “unprovoked Russian invasion.”

Then there are others, like this time’s host India, who have taken a neutral stance on the matter, making the situation all the more complex.

When the G-20 finance and central bank chiefs met this February, there was no joint statement and the same remains a high possibility for the leaders’ summit.

Climate change goals could be another potential deadlock as they remain an issue that divides developed and developing nations.

The Ukraine war and other geopolitical rifts have also affected the attendance list for the New Delhi summit, with the two most prominent absentees being Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Among those who have confirmed their participation are Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Agenda

Under India’s presidency, the G-20 has focused on food and energy security, changing the international debt system, loans for developing nations from multilateral institutions and other issues like regulating cryptocurrencies.

“The theme of India’s G-20 Presidency – ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘One Earth - One Family - One Future’ – is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad,” reads the official G-20 website.

“Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life – human, animal, plant, and microorganisms – and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe.”

With the summit just days away, security measures have been ramped up in New Delhi, including the deployment of tens of thousands of security personnel.

Fighter jets, radars, anti-drone systems and surface-to-air missiles are also included in elaborate efforts to secure the skies of the capital and neighboring areas.

 

Doha, 04 Sept. 2023 (QT)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

UNDER the patronage of Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), Huawei kicked off the 2023 Seeds for the Future programme at an official opening ceremony held on Sunday at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).

The event saw the coming together of 175 students from elite universities representing 15 countries of the Middle East and Central Asia in the first phase of the Seeds for the Future programme for the first time in Doha. These countries included Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Oman, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan. They include 16 talented students from Qatar from renowned universities like Qatar University, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Qatar Community College, and the University of Doha for Science and Technology.

The regional event being held from September 2 to 9 aims to develop local talent, share knowledge, enhance Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector awareness, and foster a digital community for young ICT talents.

High-level officials and industry leaders who delivered keynote speeches on the opening day included Karim Jjonov Rustam, deputy minister of digital technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Kamil Akatov, vice minister of science and higher education, Kazakhstan; Reem Abdulaziz Al Mugbel, Acting vice governor for planning & business development, TVTC, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Omar Abdulaziz Al-Naama, assistant undersecretary for private education affairs, Qatar; Jawad Abbassi, head of GSMA, MENA; and Dr. Jassim Haji, president, International Group of Artificial Intelligence.

In his address on the occasion, Eng. Hussain Salatt, public relations and communication unit manager, CRA, said, “CRA is the patron of the program for the fourth consecutive year, as it encourages skills development and innovation to contribute to Qatar National Vision 2030 goals. One of which is to create a balance between an oil-based and a knowledge-based economy.”

In his address on the occasion, Shunli Wang, vice president, Huawei Middle East and Central Asia, said: “In the digital era, skilled talent is pivotal to maintaining rapid development, seizing opportunities, and economic progress. At Huawei, we’re proud to be among the first few global tech companies to leverage its technology and expertise to help narrow the talent gap through programmes like Seeds for the Future. We’re thrilled to host the first phase of the Seeds for the Future programme in Doha and look forward to seeing some of the best regional ICT talents in action.”

Omar Abdulaziz AlNaama, Assistant Undersecretary for private education affairs, Qatar, said, “Skilled talent is crucial to our prosperous digital economy and
through our partnership with global industry leaders like Huawei on programmes like Seeds for the Future, we are training and equipping our talented youth with the necessary skills to support Qatar’s ambitious Vision2030 and ICT strategy, he added.

Huawei’s Seeds for the Future programme is the company’s flagship CSR programme that aims to develop ICT talents globally. With an ever-increasing emphasis on innovation and technological advancements, this competition offers a unique platform where these young minds can exchange ideas, network with international peers, and gain valuable insights into the ICT sector that will shape their future and promote their participation in the digital community.

Participating students will present their Tech4Good projects to the judges, and eight outstanding teams of 40 students will be selected to move on to the second phase of the Tech4Good programme, which will be held in Dubai from September 10 to 16, 2023.

Winners from the Tech4Good Global Competition will be invited to the Tech4Good Startup Sprint in China, where they will visit Shenzhen, Beijing, and other cities to experience real-world entrepreneurial environments and compete for a startup support fund of US $100,000.

Talking to www.asiantelegraphqatar.com, students of Pakistan, Iraq and Kazakhstan paid their thanks to the organizers for the care and wonderful facilities being extended to them during their stay.

They paid their gratitude to HUAWEI leadership for providing them and others selected from around the globe a lifetime opportunity for their personal development and growth. They assured that they will take full advantage of the opportunity given to them and will work hard to gain valuable insights into ICT sector to contribute towards the further development of digital community.

Beijing, 02 Sept. 2023 (Xinhua News)

China on Saturday pledged to advance the opening-up of its service sector, a resolute move to unleash growth potential and share business opportunities with countries and enterprises worldwide.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a series of measures for expanding the opening up of services sector while addressing the Global Trade in Services Summit of the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) via video.

Eighty-three countries and international organizations are attending the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services, and more than 2,400 companies are participating in offline exhibitions.

Themed "Opening-up leads development, cooperation delivers the future," the 2023 CIFTIS is being held in Beijing from Sept. 2 to 6 and features over 200 varied events, including forums, negotiations, and summits.

To make its development environment more open and inclusive, China will expand the globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas, and actively engage in negotiations on the negative list for trade in services and investment, Xi said. China will open wider in such services areas as telecommunications, tourism, law and vocational examinations, he said.

"We will widen access to China's services sector, advance the opening up in cross-border services trade in an orderly manner, improve the level of standardization of services trade, and steadily expand institutional opening up," Xi said.

Xi emphasized that the country will share the outcomes of the Chinese modernization drive with the rest of the world by vigorously boosting domestic demand, accelerating the building of a robust domestic market, taking the initiative to increase the imports of quality services, and encouraging more exports of knowledge-intensive services.

"We will lend new impetus to global development with the opportunities generated by China's vast market, and offer more and better Chinese services to the world through high-quality development in a bid to increase the sense of gains of people around the world," Xi said.

The CIFTIS has sent positive signals of China's persistence in economic globalization and embodied China's consistent commitment to sharing development opportunities with the rest of the world, said Jack Chan, chairman of EY China, adding that it plays an important role as a platform for promoting global economic recovery.

People in fields such as supply chains, IT, construction, and finance are closely watching opportunities in the global low-carbon scenario, especially the vast opportunities in China's dual carbon targets, said Qin Hu, vice president of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and chief representative of EDF's Beijing Representative Office.

Doha, 31 Aug 2023 (QT)

The MALAYSIAN Embassy in Doha, in collaboration with Malaysian community members in Al Khor Community complex, celebrated their 66th National Day and Hari Malaysia with zeal and fervour at the AlWaha Club on Thursday.

Present at the event were Malaysian Ambassador HE Zamshari Shaharan, embassy officials, community leaders and a large number of children and women. There are more than 5,200 Malaysian nationals working in Qatar.

In his address on the occasion, Ambassador Shaharan thanked the community members who collaborated with the embassy to ensure the success of the event.

He said the occasion served as an opportunity to recognise the Malaysian community’s indirect contributions to Malaysia by upholding a positive image and reputation for Malaysians in Qatar.

The celebration of Malaysia’s 66th National Day revolved around the theme ‘Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan’ (Determination in Unity, Fulfilling Hope)’, corresponding with the government’s commitment to nation’s development and building the country that embodies a strong spirit
of unity.

Madani, a Malay acronym for sustainability, care and compassion, respect, innovation, prosperity and trust), the slogan was launched earlier this year by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. It can also mean being developed in terms of thinking, spirituality and materiality depending on the context.

The nation’s amalgamation of diverse cultures, religions and languages contributes to its success. This diversity was showcased through cultural performances by children during the event, fostering Malaysian cultural identity among the younger Malaysian residents in Qatar.

Malaysian community members, donning their national attire, exhibited a strong sense of patriotism and unity, representing the variety of Malaysian backgrounds and ethnicities. The event commenced with the singing of the national anthem and the recitation of the Rukun Negara, Malaysian’s national
principles.

The vibrant and traditional colourful attire-wearing Malaysian children presented ‘pantun’, expressing affection, love and patriotism for their homeland.