Huawei, a leading global information and communication technology provider has indicated its resolve to build a digital academy at the University of Ibadan.
The Country Manager, Talent Ecosystem Development, Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kenneth Igwe, made the disclosure, on Wednesday, during a visit to the acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Adebola Ekanola, in his office.
His visit followed the performance by the contingent of the university in the 2020 edition of Huawei ICT Global Challenge, where the students emerged as global champions.
Igwe said the excellent performance of the UI students in the competition showed that the students were talented, skilled, creative and zealous for information and communication technology for sustainable development.
According to him, the Huawei ICT Global Challenge is a competitive ICT talent exchange event geared towards the healthy development of ICT ecosystem among universities’ students globally.
He said, “In the 2020 edition of the competition, the University of Ibadan, alongside Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Port Harcourt, emerged as global champions in the National and Cloud Categories.
“The three champions from the University of Ibadan: Toheeb Badiru, Bolaji Abideen and Sulaiman Olubiyi, all of the Department of Electrical Electronics, Faculty of Technology, who are currently participating in the National Youth Service Corps scheme, displayed outstanding digital skills and values impacted in UI’s students. Hence, our request for internship, graduate training and coaching section.”
The Country Manager stated further that collaborating with UI on the project would involve, at least, 10 companies, not only Huawei, saying that the project is tagged ‘Huawei Partners.’
According to him, the Huawei Partners project is to deep hands into the talent resources that abound in UI and give the students internship, graduate training and employment opportunities.
Igwe said, “I am in UI to coach your students on the requirements for the 2021 challenge, agree on a date to organise students’ job fair in the University community and to discuss a proposal to establish a digital academy in UI.”
In his response, Ekanola indicated the readiness of the university to collaborate with Huawei on its internship, graduate training and coaching project to bolster the institution’s effort in promoting teaching, learning and research through information and communication technology.
“UI is willing to collaborate with Huawei in achieving and sustaining the goal, since IT is now a great tool for teaching, learning, research and administrative work,” the VC said.
The acting VC also drew the attention of the ICT expert to the efforts by the management, staff and students to strengthen the town and gown relationship to enhance mutual benefits.
“I specially thank Huawei for partnering with the university in the past, for taking cognizance of the excellent performance of UI students in the 2020 Huawei competition, and for being anxious to have an enduring relationship with UI.
“This success and other feats are achieved due to the system of our merit-driven policy of admitting students and dedicated staff,” he said.
Present at the occasion were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Kayode Adebowale; Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Faluyi; acting Bursar, Mr. Olayiwola Abimbola; Dean, Students Affairs, Prof. ‘Keye Abiona; Deputy Dean, Students Affairs, Dr. ‘Demola Lewis; Dr. Olusegun Ajide, Sub-Dean (Postgraduate), Faculty of Technology; Deputy Registrar, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Oluwole Dada; Director, University Advancement Centre, Mr. Adebowale Adeosun; and the Deputy Director, Training, Research and Development, Directorate of Information Technology and Media Services, Mr. Soji Adisa.
