Huawei bridging the gap between education and ICT sector

By Lloyd Rabaya

Tinayeshe Kariwo, a fourth-year student at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) studying Electrical and Electronics Engineering, said the gap between education and industry can only be bridged through continued engagement between the two.

This came to light today when global telecommunications giant Huawei held a career expo at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), a move that answers Tinayeshe’s prayers.

“I believe that Huawei can continue to partner with institutions like UZ and bring more events like this one so that they interact with students.

It is through such meetings that they can continue fostering and developing talent among students,” he suggested.

Like many other students, Tinayeshe was oblivious to the opportunities that he could get after completing his studies, but thanks to Huawei’s career expo, dreams can now be fulfilled.

This is part of the efforts Huawei is making to practice its mandate of bringing digital to every person, every home, and every industry.

For Kupakwashe Makubaza, who is studying Medical Physics, Huawei was just into making mobile phones, until today’s engagement.

“They are also doing telecommunications, engineering, provide Internet access around the world, and they also want to do that in our rural areas.

Huawei would greatly improve things in my area of study by applying themselves in software engineering and artificial intelligence (AI) by developing software that can do dosimetry that can work as radiation detectors as well, ” she said.

Addressing journalists on behalf of Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Mapfumo, Dean of Science Professor Idah Sithole-Niang emphasised that the career expo would give insights into the job market as the students were connecting with potential employers.

She also said that the relationship will create more opportunities even for upcoming generations who would like to venture into the ICT sector.

“This initiative has informed our students so that they are aware of the opportunities that are available and how to engage the employers.

We are expecting to further benefit from further strengthening what is there, and our students have been able to participate in global competitions,” she said.

Huawei Zimbabwe Managing Director Yang Shengwan said the engagement also acted as a call for students and institutions to pay more attention to ICT as the technology is improving hastily, and Huawei is there to ensure that students and institutions are not lagging behind.

“Between education and the industry, the technology and what we are teaching the students there is a huge gap. To remove that gap and ensure that students seamlessly get used to the industry, we have to promote these programs,” he reiterated.

Since 2015, Huawei has been holding annual ICT competitions, in which the participants will have an added advantage in employment opportunities.