Global tech powerhouse Huawei Technologies is pursuing its onsite ICT skill building event under its flagship Asia-Pacific Seeds for the Future programme in Thailand to develop digital skills among youth in the region.
Under the programme, 120 top students from 16 Asia-Pacific countries, including 10 from Thailand, will be attending the digital boot camp in Thailand, which began yesterday and continues through Aug 27.
The programme in Thailand is in collaboration with the Asean Foundation and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), which will co-host a field trip for the participants.
Students 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.
The participants will also be provided with training in cutting-edge technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence and cloud computing from leading experts.
Simon Lin, president of Huawei Asia-Pacific, said the Seeds programme is the flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) project with the longest history, representing "hope, passion and the future".
The programme has been brought to nearly 140 countries and regions, reaching more than 12,000 students from 500 universities, he said.
"Digitalisation is the driving force for our future. Talent is the key to digital transformation and sustainable growth," Mr Lin said.
Huawei believes that the young generation will grow as the creators of Asia-Pacific when pursuing their tech-dreams, he said.
"Asia-Pacific Seeds for the Future is not only about knowledge learning but also about how to transform ideas into initiatives and projects that will benefit the decent life quality and happiness in society," said Mr Lin.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of Asia-Pacific Seeds for the Future 2022 programme at Park Hyatt Bangkok Hotel yesterday.
The nine-day digital boot camp in Thailand enables the participants to get immersed in technologies and cross-cultural experiences, and propose technical solutions to address social problems in Tech4Good projects.
Abel Deng, chief executive of Huawei Technologies Thailand, said Seeds for the Future is a programme that brings together young talent from top universities around the globe.
The programme was launched in Thailand 2008.
During the digital camp, participants will team up and create a "Tech4Good" pitch where they have to share visions for a better world. The winning teams will join an accelerator camp in Singapore from Aug 29-Sept 4.
Last year, the Thai team's "Are u Ok" project took gold for their solution that helps patients in Thailand receive faster emergency treatment.
Speaking via a video recording, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said the co-training with leading specialised firms such as Huawei will greatly enhance the quality of education and is an excellent step for advancing digital development with the goal of strengthening the economy to international level.
Deputy Education Minister Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich said the programme can help fill the gap between theory and practice while Krisada Kongkajan, deputy permanent secretary for culture, said the programme, which supports regional youth exchanges, would allow students to have an opportunity to learn with Huawei that develops skilled ICT talents and bridges countries and cultures.
