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.