Mr. Saif Chi, Huawei Pakistan CEO, highlighted the essential need to have ICT competition. He said that Huawei team will hold seminars and roadshows in universities to create awareness about the competition among the students. Also Pakistan is home to unlimited potentials with its core being the youth. With HEC’s support together we will be able to tap youth’s ICT talent which will contribute in the development of Pakistan’s ICT industry.

The ICT Competition will help enhance the quality of future ICT professionals In Pakistan, along with increasing national ICT competitiveness, and supporting local students across Pakistan. During the 2nd ICT competition in 2017, Pakistani students did exceptionally well. More than 7,000 students from over 30 universities registered for the ICT Skill competition. Over 3,000 appeared in the preliminary round, 150 students entered the regional final, out of which 50 were selected for the National final. The top 6 winners joined in the Middle East international final competition in China. Final team scored second position and qualified for the second ME Global Final out of 13 participating teams. 6 final winners joined on behalf of the Middle East region in the Global Final Competition in China which took place in May 2018. Finalists scored 2nd and 3rd positions out of 23 participating teams. 3 students from Pakistan also won an admission award in SUSTC University, Shenzhen China for a six-month scholarship program.

Successful students from the ICT Competition 2017 have achieved the Huawei Certifications of HCNA, HCNP and HCIE levels with the constant support of Huawei Pakistan. Honorable Minister awarded Noor Malik (NUST Islamabad) and Muhammad Zubair from (UET Lahore) Huawei professional and expert certification, who were a part of the winning teams of last years’ competition.

Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman Higher Education Commission thanked Huawei for a long-term collaboration. He was of the view that ICT program should be replicated by other organizations in order to encourage more and more students to involve in informative competitions.

In 2018, the 3rd ICT competition will aim to motivate more students into registering for the competition and polish their ICT talent. Huawei will focus on holding awareness seminars, workshops and preliminary rounds of this year’s competition at Pakistan’s 14 running HAINAs starting from this month. Huawei is also going to visit 50 universities for a road show. Initially more than 10,000 students from reputable universities are expected to register for the online test. 5,000 students will take the preliminary test, out of which 500 students will appear for the e-learning test. The top 100 students will take the lab test. The most competitive 6 students will be selected for the international round which will be held in Huawei headquarters in Shenzhen, China

Mr. Yao Jing, Ambassador of Peoples Republic of China in Islamic Republic of Pakistan recognized the unbeatable talent of the youth in Pakistan. He appreciated Huawei and HEC saying “ICT competition is a great initiative to train students in this ever growing IT world.” He highlighted the role of government in improving education and creating some famous names in the fields of IT, health, social sector etc.

Not only will the winners of the competition receive certificates, trophies, and prizes, they will also have  opportunity to travel to China and gain access to a top global ICT company. Huawei will grant the winners an exclusive fully paid trip to the company’s international headquarters in Shenzhen and the chance to meet with the brand’s leadership. They will gain unrivaled exposure to Huawei’s expertise in telecommunications, enterprise, and consumer business, not to mention a priceless cultural experience and knowledge exchange.

The competition is part of Huawei’s longstanding effort to have a positive impact on the community in the Pakistan. Huawei has already implemented a Seeds for the Future program to offer training and internships to promising students across the region. The ICT Competition offers students additional opportunities to gain valuable experience in the industry. Participants will work in a real laboratory, and tackle some of the industry’s most complex challenges. The competition material is based on advanced IP and IT material, and tests contestant on their knowledge of cloud computing, switching, routing, and network security. It is a unique opportunity for students to test their abilities in ICT’s most cutting edge fields.

The event was concluded by closing remarks of Mr. Shafqat Mahmood, Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training “the efforts of Huawei Technologies pvt limited with collaboration of Higher Education Commission are unmatchable. It’s great that both the organizations realized the need of holding such competitions to make the youth aware of ICT. This will train students professionally to become the IT support of the country. He assured the support of the Education Ministry is all such events in order to transform the education system of Pakistan.

Ceremony briefing:

Time: 6th, Sep,2018 10:30AM-12:20PM

Address: Higher Education Commission Auditorium

Chief Guests：

• Mr. Shafqat Mahmood, Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training
• Mr. Yao Jing, ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
• Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman of Higher Education Commission in Pakistan
• NUST and other universities Chancellors, teachers and students (total attendees around 400)