Barcelona (© 2023 Afriquinfos)- Huawei announced on February 26 that it has joined UNESCO’s Global Literacy Alliance (GAL) as part of the company’s preparation for Mobile World Congress 2023. The announcement was made during a Digital Talent Summit co-hosted by Huawei and the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), with UIL serving as the LAG’s secretariat.
At the summit, Huawei and UIL agreed to jointly promote the use of technology to improve literacy. The two parties also signed a cooperation agreement under which Huawei will fund the expansion of UIL’s current initiatives to improve the use of technology by teachers in developing countries. Currently, the UIL initiative is implemented in Bangladesh, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Nigeria and Pakistan.
Huawei is the first private company to become an associate member of the LAG. In this regard, the company is delighted that its own objectives align with the LAG’s vision of combating digital illiteracy among young people.
UIL Director David Atchoarena explained at the event: The ever-changing world we live in requires concerted efforts and strong partnerships to achieve quality education and lifelong learning for all. »
Atchoarena then continued: “ Huawei’s expertise in learning innovation will be a great asset to the Global Literacy Alliance. Collaborative projects like ours will indeed ensure that no one is left behind on this journey.»
Vicky Zhang, Huawei’s Vice President of Corporate Communications, also said, ” Getting a solid education is often the key to success in life. As a major player in the technology sector, Huawei believes it has a responsibility to provide digital skills in all regions of the world, doing our best to include as many people as possible. »
« We are proud to join forces with UNESCO to better assume this responsibility. added Ms. Zhang.
Huawei believes that digital talent is a key enabler of digital transformation, while being a pillar of sustained socio-economic growth and in fine of a better quality of life. Since 2008, the company has offered numerous training programs for talents. Under its “Seeds for the Future” program, Huawei provides tens of thousands of people with scholarships and digital training courses for all age groups every year. The company also organizes and sponsors technology competitions where students can expand their knowledge, win prizes and meet new people.
John Omo, Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), also stressed the need to connect local talent with the international community. He thus stated: It is essential that young people in Africa have access to international opportunities and can take part in global exchanges. »
Senator Jorge Ramirez Marin, President of the Mexican Senate’s Science and Technology Commission, also called for global synergy. ” Digital education should be a factor that brings us closer to equity, rather than aggravating inequalities “, he said.
The summit concluded with a rich and exciting round table on the theme ” Imagining the future of education “. The debate was moderated by George Gilder, renowned economist and co-founder of the Discovery Institute, Dr. Ricardo Gil-da-Costa, CEO and co-founder of Neuroverse and two Alumni of Huawei Seeds for the Future.
To date, Huawei’s “Seeds for the Future” program has nurtured more than 2.2 million digital talents in more than 150 countries. As for the Huawei ICT Academy, it trains some 200,000 students each year. In 2021, the Chinese tech giant announced that it had already invested US$150 million and plans to invest another US$150 million in digital talent development before 2026, which is expected to benefit 3 million additional people.
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