The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST), in collaboration with Huawei, has unveiled the AI ICT Academy Lab.
The collaboration, which marks a significant stride in Qatar's educational landscape, was inaugurated on Thursday at the UDST and atteneded by government officials, underscoring the pivotal role of public-private partnership in advancing AI capabilities in Qatar.
UDST president Dr Salem al-Naemi emphasised the monumental importance of the partnership.
"The launch of the UDST-Huawei AI ICT Academy Lab represents a pivotal moment in our dedication to nurturing innovation and excellence in education,” he said. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to empowering students with the requisite skills and knowledge to thrive in the digital era."
As artificial intelligence (AI) is ushering in the fourth industrial revolution, upskilling initiatives to address the AI-powered digital divide will be fundamental to driving innovation and cultivating a skilled workforce to drive Qatar's digital future.
Coupled with Huawei Cloud capabilities, the AI ICT Academy Lab is targeted at unlocking the potential of AI in the education sector, empowering students with advanced AI skills necessary to transform their competence to new levels in line with Qatar’s National AI Strategy focused on six pillars: education, data access, employment, business, research, and ethics, that will guide Qatar towards the transition to an AI future.
Central to the opening ceremony was the presence of an AI avatar, symbolising the convergence of technology and education.
This dynamic showcase vividly depicted the transformative potential of AI in fostering digital ambassadors and revolutionizing educational paradigms, laying the groundwork for a future where innovation thrives.
Huawei Technologies LLC chief executive Alex Zhang highlighted the collaborative effort in propelling technological advancements forward.
"Huawei takes immense pride in partnering with the UDST to inaugurate the AI ICT Academy Lab,:” he said. “Together, we are empowering students to explore the limitless possibilities of AI and spearhead Qatar's digital transformation journey."
Dr Khalid Abdulla al-Ali from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) said that the collaboration between the UDST and Huawei underscores the critical importance of fostering excellence in AI education.
“This partnership will undoubtedly fortify Qatar's endeavours in cultivating a skilled workforce for the future," he noted.
The ceremony marked the UDST and Huawei jointly felicitating the ICT (information and communications technology) academy professors who attained certification as Huawei ICT Academy Instructors.
UDST students were praised for their exceptional performance in Huawei’s "Seeds for the Future" corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.
Securing third place in the Middle East and Central Asia region Seeds for the Future 2023 which was held in Qatar last September, these students have earned the opportunity to partake in a digital tour in China.
An official statement said Huawei is slated to organise a Hackathon aimed at honing student capabilities in leveraging Model Arts in education through the Huawei Cloud.
This collaborative endeavour underscores Huawei's commitment to fostering educational initiatives and empowering students with practical skills in AI and cloud computing.
“The launch of the UDST-Huawei AI ICT Academy Lab heralds a new era in Qatar's journey towards becoming a leading digital hub, the statement said. “Through strategic partnerships, innovative initiatives, and a shared vision for the future, the UDST and Huawei are paving the way for a brighter, more connected future for generations to come.”
