Seventeen UTech, Jamaica Students Selected for Huawei “Seeds for the Future” 2021 Virtual Programme

Seventeen outstanding students of the University of Technology, Jamaica’s Faculty of Engineering and Computing are among the fifty-four Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tertiary students from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname selected by Huawei Technologies, Jamaica to participate in the Huawei “Seeds for the Future” 2021 virtual programme.

Huawei Technologies, Jamaica hosted the opening ceremony of the Huawei “Seeds for the Future” 2021 virtual programme via Zoom on October, 22, 2021, in collaboration with university partners, University of Technology, Jamaica, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica and St Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago campuses, Stichting University of Applied Sciences and Technology, Suriname, Stichting Polytechnic College, Suriname, and University of Trinidad and Tobago.

In opening the ceremony, Ms. Tricia Henry, Public Relations Manager, Huawei Technologies, Trinidad and Tobago noted that the programme offers students the opportunity to be virtually immersed in the vibrant, dynamic and innovative Chinese cultural and technology scenes. The “Seeds for the Future” virtual 2021 programme will run from October 25 to November 2, 2021.

In his welcome, Mr. Allen Chen, Huawei Technologies’ Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, Central America and Caribbean noted that the company is proud “to share its ICT expertise, innovative technology and cross-cultural management experience to our local young talents.” Mr. Chen noted that the company has developed several initiatives, including the “Seeds for the Future” programme, to enable talented Caribbean youth to be trained in ICT solutions and knowledge to contribute to digital development in the 4th Industrial Revolution.

He also thanked Huawei’s partners, including governmentsand universities, for supporting the company’s ethos of corporate social responsibility in serving the region through the development of talents in ICT and digital transformation.  He encouraged the students in the programme to “enjoy this journey of training, knowledge transfer and mindset exchanging.”

The Honourable Fayval Williams, Minister of Education, Youth and Information who brought greetings, noted that the “Seeds for the Future” programme is an excellent means through which young Jamaicans, over the past five years, have developed their skills in ICT, and have gained a greater awareness of the telecommunications sector. Minister Williams commended Huawei for the initiatives, which forms part of its social responsibility outreach programmes, and for its partnership with the University of Technology, Jamaica and The University of the West Indies.

She also congratulated this year’s “Seeds for the Future” student participants, urging them to seize the opportunity to explore the wider world of Information Technology and enhance their awareness of the many new emerging technologies. “In addition, you will have an opportunity to explore Chinese cultural experiences, participate in group projects and cultural exchanges with peers around the world. This will redound to your personal development and ultimately to Jamaica’s benefit and that of the region,” Minister Williams noted. 

Endorsing the programme, His Excellency, Tian Qi, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica congratulated Huawei Technologies, noting that the “Seeds for the Future” programme demonstrates the company’s “continued efforts to cultivate well qualified ICT talents in the Caribbean,” which serves as part of the thrust to promote economic and social recovery through digital transformation.

Also giving their endorsements of the Huawei “Seeds for the Future” 2021 virtual programme were Ambassadors of the People’s Republic of China to Trinidad and Tobago and to Suriname Their Excellences Fang Qui and Han Jing. 

Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President, UTech, Jamaica in congratulating the students, noted that the  programme, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, offers an important opportunity to inspire “the current generation of ICT tertiary students to harness knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (known as STEAM) to innovate solutions to current and future problems that will improve lives and livelihood in the years to come.” Professor Gyles also thanked Huawei Technologies for partnering with the University of Technology, Jamaica to offer opportunities of engagement to advance the knowledge and skills of students beyond the classroom.

Partners remarks were received from the heads of each of the participating universities, including Prof. Dale Webber, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal, UWI, Mona, Professor Brian Copeland, Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal, UWI, St Augustine and Professor Prakash Persad, President, University of Trinidad and Tobago, who all underscored the importance of these collaborations to harness the potential of the next generation to transform society through ICT and digital innovation.

The launch ceremony also included presentations from former participants of the Huawei “Seeds for the Future” programme, as well as a virtual presentation of the 2021 cohort of awardees.

 Congratulations to our outstanding Huawei “Seeds for the Future” 2021 scholars from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing: 

BSc. Animation and Production Development
Chloe Campbell, 3rd Year

BSc. Computer Science
Jada Bailey, 3rd Year
Shanya Connell, 4th Year
Darren Beckford, 3rd Year
Kemani Young, 4th Year
Zachary Clarke, 3rd Year
Ashleigh Austin, 3rd Year
Khamali Powell, 3rd Year

BSc. Computing
Jaycia Williams, 4th Year

BSc. Computer Networking and Security
Jayan Williams, 3rd Year

B.Eng. Electrical and Computer Engineering
Antonio Johnson, 4th Year
Nicholai Watson, 4th Year
Odane Swaby, 4th Year
Rick Darby, 4th Year
Toni-Ann Gray, 3rd Year
Elliot Tyndale, 3rd Year

B.Eng. Industrial Engineering
Shawn Vassell, 4th Year

End.

Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 876 970-5299 
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm