Huawei Launches a $2.1 M ICT Practice Center in Addis Abeba University

Huawei together with Addis Ababa University officially launched Huawei-AAU ICT Practice Center in Addis Ababa Institute of Technology. The project is realized by Huawei with the aim of delivering hands-on practical experience for students and professionals.

The target of the center is to train more than 2000 engineers including students and teachers to boost talent ecosystem of Ethiopia in the coming three years.

The practice center located in AAU pharmacy campus was inaugurated in the presence of H.E. Dr. Mulu Nega, State Minster of Science & Higher Education, Mr. Philippe Wang, Executive Vice-President of Huawei Northern Africa, and Prof. Tassew Weldehanna, President of Addis Ababa University, along with other invited guests and members of media.

As part of the cooperation, Huawei installed the up-to-date telecom equipment in AAU pharmacy campus for educational purpose. After 3 years’ know-how transfer, Addis Ababa University will gain 100% ownership of the ICT Practice Center. The 2.1 Million USD investment of the project includes a donation scope of 1.9 Million USD worth of equipment for training and demonstration, and the Train the Trainer program to Addis Ababa Institute of Technology (AAiT) teaching staff.

During the ceremony, Huawei also handed over 30,000 USD scholarship fund to Addis Ababa University for 10 postgraduate students annually within 3 years.

Mr. Philippe Wang, CEO of Executive Vice-President of Huawei Northern Africa during the occasion stated that “Building a long-term relation and platform for resource sharing, joint development efforts and mutual benefits is the responsibility for us all. I firmly believe Huawei-AUU ICT Practice Center, together with Huawei ICT Academy will be the cornerstone in achieving this common target.”

H.E. Dr. Mulu Nega State Minster of Science & Higher Education on the occasion highlighted “Huawei is very active in the field of digitalization of education and ICT content embedding is a global trend and the future of the nation.

Prof. Prof. Tassew Weldehanna, president of Addis Ababa University noted that “This practice center built in partnership with Huawei will serve not only our university, but for all Ethiopians. I would like to thank Huawei for this great initiative.”

Huawei is currently implementing multiple projects benefiting thousands of students and industrial practitioners with a view of building ICT capacity and improving ICT development in Ethiopia. These projects include the flagship program Huawei ICT Academy, Huawei ICT Competition, Seeds for the Future exchange program, as well as ICT Handshaking forum – a job fair connecting the industry and ICT talents. Since first ICT academy launched in 2018, Huawei has partnered with 36 universities on educational activities. Huawei also aligned with Jobs Creation Commission in talent cultivation and hiring projects.