Creating a foundation for Nepal’s digital economy: Huawei’s Digital Talent Development Ecosystem Initiative

By William Zhang: Huawei Nepal CEO

Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. As a strategic partner of Nepal’s leading telecom operators, Huawei has been in service of the Nepalese people for the last 21 years. We were the first to introduce 2G, 3G, and 4G in Nepal. Over the last few years, we have also entered the enterprise domain. We are now partnering with ISPs to introduce our latest fixed broadband products and solutions in the Nepalese market. We have also been assisting in the digital transformation of government enterprises, private businesses, commercial banks, and media companies. Our public cloud business has been growing steadily in Nepal. We are committed to bringing digital to every person, home, and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.

It is a well-known fact that throughout the world, the digital economy is becoming an important part of GDP. At Huawei, we recognize that the digital economy is the new growth engine for economies of all sizes. Here in Nepal, Huawei hopes to help the country build the foundation for its digital economy through broadband connectivity, data centers, cloud and computing, and other latest technologies and by partnering with all ICT stakeholders. Every amount spent in the ICT sector has huge returns, almost 6.7 times more than investment in the non-ICT sector. Research has shown that a 20% investment in ICT boosts GDP by 1%. For developing countries like Nepal, the ICT sector and digital connectivity can provide a much-needed boost to accelerate development. Hence, the Digital Nepal Framework introduced by the Government of Nepal is a welcome move.

However, the digital economy cannot grow without digital talents. Skilled human resource is a prerequisite to exploit the benefits brought by greater digital connectivity. Keeping this basic fact in mind, Huawei is actively promoting the growth of digital talents in all 170 countries and regions that Huawei is present in. We are committed to sharing our knowledge and expertise with local talents so that they can go on to become future ICT leaders. As part of our Digital Talent Development Ecosystem, we have a goal of developing 10,000 ICT talents in the next 5 years in Nepal. Digital talents are the foundation of digital development and in turn, economic development. We want to nurture outstanding digital talents to realize the vision of a truly digital Nepal.

To that end, this year, we have launched our global flagship CSR initiative – Seeds for the Future in Nepal. Since 2008, over 9,000 students from 130 countries and regions have participated in the program. We welcome all excellent, undergraduate-level ICT students to apply to the program which offers a unique learning experience for 20 excellent students selected through a competitive application process. The program is an 8-day (Nov 29 – Dec 6) interactive online experience around technology, innovation, and cross-cultural exchange with international peers where students will hear from experts, entrepreneurs, professors, and scientists on a wide range of topics from cybersecurity to the aerospace industry. The students will also receive entry-level courses on 5G, cloud computing, and AI. In an interactive and dynamic classroom environment, students will engage in cross-cultural exchanges and participate in the “Tech4Good” project where they will come up with an innovative technological solution to real-world social and environmental problems. An opportunity to better understand the ICT industry in Nepal will also be provided via Huawei Nepal office visit, expert lectures, and an overnight field trip to a Huawei-built base station. Upon successful completion of the program, the students will join the worldwide network of Seeds on LinkedIn where regular activities will allow ample opportunity for networking. Interested applicants can apply or learn more about the program via www.seedsnepal.com. We welcome all students to apply to the program before the application deadline which for this year is Nov 7, 2021.

Besides Seeds for the Future, Huawei will also be launching the Huawei Student Developer program at the earliest which in its inception will provide students a 5-week foundational course on app development on Huawei’s HMS (Huawei Mobile Services) Ecosystem at no cost. In 2022, we will also launch the Huawei Nepal ICT Academy in partnership with a top-level university. The academy will be a state-of-the-art learning facility that will train and develop future ICT leaders.

I cannot stress enough how important skilled human resource is for the digital economy. With a largely young population that is dynamic, resourceful, and capable, Nepal has immense potential in making the digital leap. Huawei will continue to support the growth and learning of these talented young people – the future of this country. We will continue to demonstrate that we are “In Nepal, For Nepal.” Once again, I’d like to welcome all eligible students to apply to Seeds for the Future and wish all applicants good luck. In the future, we also hope to see enthusiastic participation from students in Nepal in our other educational initiatives.

Lastly, my best wishes to all Nepalese citizens on the occasion of Deepawali, Nhu Da, and Chhath! Thank you.