Leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices, Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, for the establishment of Nigeria’s first Academy Support Centre (ASC) to motivate students in the tertiary institution to study ICT.
Speaking at the ceremony today (November 4) in Abuja, the vice-chancellor of ABU, Prof. Kabir Bala, said the relationship with Huawei, which dates back to 2018, has seen the development of the interest of the institution’s students in ICT which has resulted in winning several competitions in the past.
According to him, the partnership between the Huawei ICT Academy and ABU has motivated students to pick interest in ICT and courses related to it.
“The promise we made to Huawei in August 2018 [was] if Huawei does not acknowledge it, we acknowledge that we have fulfilled our part of the promise we made, that we are going to make a difference in the Huawei Authorised Information and Network Academy (HAINA) programme in Nigeria.
“I think we have done that over the years with the talents that evolve from the HAINA programme of the university and how our students have participated in and excelled in ICT skills’ competition, winning two grand prizes in last year’s tourneys sponsored by Huawei.
“We are happy to present our appreciation to Huawei for the internship programme that our students have been engaged and we are pleased to say that we acknowledge the fact that almost all the interns have been recruited. This is a massive boost to Ahmadu Bello University and credibility of the final programme.
“It gives students the motivation that if they do well in the internship programme, a job is guaranteed in Huawei Nigeria. Also, it develops the IT ecosystem and give the students a shot at having a career in IT,” he said.
Represented by Prof. Muhammed Mu’azu of the university’s Department of Computer Engineering, Bala said the varsity will deliver on the mandate it was given by the company.
Earlier in his remark, the director, Nigeria Enterprise Delivery, Huawei, Zhang Mi Mars, commended the ABU management team for its support, stressing Huawei’s commitment to helping the nation achieve her digital economy dream.
“We are going to sign the first ASC in Nigeria and partner with the students. We will work together with the student to build a better digital Nigeria,” he said.
Similarly, Huawei Channel Training Manager, ICT Talent Ecosystem Development, Nigeria, Mr. Kenneth Igwe, asserted that the choice of ABU as Nigeria’s pilot ASC was due to the smooth and cordial relationship between both institutions.
“They were the first school to have a certified ACIP instructor in Nigeria and, in 2018, they were the first school to send students to an ICT competition where they came third. Last year students from ABU won the grand prize in the competition. Going into partnership with the school was no difficult decision.
“The ASC is very important because, one way or the other, every university in this country needs its support,” he added.
