Huawei launches Seeds for the Future Programme

• Participants will leverage tech to address social problems 
• Brings together 120 students from 16 countries across APAC

Huawei has launched the Asia Pacific Seeds for the Future 2022 in collaboration with Asean Foundation and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). 

In a statement, the telco vendor said from Aug 19 to Aug 27, the programme will bring together 120 outstanding students from 16 countries across the Asia Pacific region for a nine-day digital boot camp in Thailand. 

It said these participants will get immersed in technologies and cross-cultural experiences and propose technical solutions to address social problems through Tech4Good projects. 

Huawei said that 56 of the 120 participants this year are women, making the 2022 cohort the most gender-balanced in the region since the programme was initiated in 2008. 

Asia Pacific Seeds for the Future 2022 marks the first time the programme is held since Huawei and Asean Foundation signed an memorandum of understanding on scaling it up in 2021.

The TAT will also contribute significantly to this year's programme by hosting the participants on a cultural tour of Bangkok, Huawei said.

Together, these organisations hope to create a synergy that will deliver an unparalleled experience to the participants, it said.

Deputy prime minister and minister of commerce of Thailand, Jurin Laksanawisit said, “Personally, I believe that co-training with leading specialised companies such as Huawei will greatly enhance the quality of the education and is an excellent step for advancing digital development with the goal of strengthening the economy to international levels."

Secretary-general of Asean Lim Jock Hoi said, “The private sector can play a pioneering role in realising this vision. In this regard, I commend Huawei Asia Pacific’s initiative: Seeds for the Future Programme.

“This project underscores the long-term commitment of Huawei to collaborate and prepare the ASEAN youth for the changing world of work and industry’s demands.”

In Asia Pacific, advanced digital talent cultivation is typically conducted through joint projects run by governments, academia, and private tech providers. The ASEAN Academy and Seeds for the Future are examples of such projects. 

Executive director of Asean Foundation Yang Mee Eng said, “To nurture a generation of digitally savvy and innovative problem solvers, it is pivotal for stakeholders of ASEAN to create a robust learning ecosystem that allows our youth to advance their digital skills.”

President of Huawei Asia Pacific Simon Lin said,“Digitalisation is the driving force for our future. Talent is the key to digital transformation and sustainable growth.

“We deeply believe that the young generation will grow as the constructors of Asia Pacific when pursuing their tech-dreams.” Lin added. 

Huawei said participants to Asia Pacific Seeds for the Future 2022 will embark on a cultural and digital journey filled with site visits including the United Nations Regional Hub in Bangkok, the Metaverse Expo, and the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

At the same time, they will be provided training in cutting-edge technologies like 5G, AI, and cloud computing from industry-leading experts, it said.

During the digital camp, the participants will be expected to team up and create a "Tech4Good" pitch where they will share their visions for a better digital world, it added.

The winning teams will be given a place in an accelerator camp in Singapore that will be held from Aug 29 to Sept 4.