Lusail University signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Huawei, a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices, to enhance digital skills in support of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Under the agreement, a Huawei ICT Academy will be established at the university to further develop Qatar’s blossoming technology ecosystem, and that of the wider region.
The memorandum was signed by Professor Nitham Hindi, Lusail University Provost and Zhao Liang, CEO of Huawei Gulf North in the presence of other representatives from both parties.
Launched in 2013, the Huawei ICT Academy co-operation programme helps universities around the world to cultivate ICT talent that can meet future industry requirements, in turn providing a high-quality workforce for the sector's development.
Through the initiative, Huawei builds a comprehensive value chain covering the entire learning, certification, and employment process. The deepening of co-operation between universities and private enterprises ultimately promotes the development of the digital economy while supporting nations’ digital transformation agendas.
To date, Huawei ICT Academies have been deployed throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Southern Pacific.
The new Huawei ICT Academy is one of the various long-term partnerships between Huawei and Qatar institutions to nurture advanced digital skills amongst the country’s youth. Through such knowledge-exchange collaborations, the company aims to train 10,000 students in Qatar over the next three years.
Lusail University provost, Dr Nitham Hindi, said: “We are delighted to sign this agreement with one of the leading companies in technology - Huawei. We are looking for a long-term mutually beneficial agreement that will allow Lusail University to provide high quality education to graduate professionals who are needed in the marketplace and who are competent in their fields. With the assistance of our strategic partners, Lusail University is determined to become a pioneer in providing high quality education based on leadership and innovation.”
Zhao Liang, CEO of Huawei Gulf North, noted: “Qatar continues to make major strides in attracting investments and nurturing a diversified, technologically-advanced economy. By collaborating with local partners like Lusail University, bolstering local talent development, and committing support to megaprojects, Huawei aims to contribute to the digitisation efforts outlined in the Qatar National Vision 2030.”
New technologies are already revolutionizing traditional industry sectors in Qatar and beyond. According to Gartner forecasts, IT spending in the Middle East and North Africa is projected to total $171bn in 2021, an increase of 4.5% from 2020.
