12 Nov 2015

Huawei Technologies Botswana, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MOESD), has sponsored 10 information and communications technology (ICT) students to study the latest ICT technologies in China.

The University of Botswana (UB) computer sciences students will leave later this month for the two weeks training.

The company said the students would study the latest ICT technologies, Huawei’s corporate culture and management experience, visit Huawei’s exhibition halls and campuses and learn about Chinese culture.

They have been sponsored under Huawei’s Seeds for the Future (SFTF) ICT training programme, which was launched in Gaborone on Tuesday. The programme launch coincided with the Chinese company’s 10^th  anniversary of its operation in Botswana.

Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Moiseraela Goya officially launched the programme.

The company agreed to work with UB and the ministry to cultivate ICT talent in Botswana. 

Giving the keynote address during the launch, Mr Goya commended Huawei for having seen the need to assist in skilling the ICT students through the SFTF training programme. He said the training programme was in line with the government’s efforts to develop and tap on ICT to drive service delivery.

He also said Huawei has played a key role in enhancing ICT locally by working with other players in the industry such as BoFinet and Mascom as well as through the Nteletsa programme. 

“The Seeds for the Future training programme is of paramount importance because it is designed to make ICT students fill the gap. Botswana has made inroads in ICT connectivity and now we are aiming for successful application of it in service provision,” Mr Goya said. 

The Ambassador of China to Botswana, Mr Zheng Zhuquiang said Huawei was established in 1987 and was today one of the world’s leading ICT companies. 

Mr Zhuquiang explained that through the Seeds for the Future training programme, Huawei aims to empower youth in Botswana. 

The company worked closely with UB, MOESD and the Ministry of Transport and Communications to select the first batch of SFTF beneficiaries.

The 10 students enrolled in the programme were awarded enrollment letters by Mr Goya. They are Ofentse Phuti, Ofentse Koolopile, Shathani Mbulawa, Kesego Tumisang, Lucia Madube, Bonalemong Linos, Badisa Mosesane, Molleen Kgobati, Letlhogonolo Motlhalamme, and Wamodikwa Kamgunde

Tumisang, speaking on behalf of the students, said they were happy to have been selected under the training programme. 

“We are going to see how exactly they are bridging the gap between the institution and industry. It is going to be tough but we are going to work hard and will bring what we learn in China to our country,” he said. Ends