Public-private partnership key for digital advancement, CS Ogamba says

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba awards one opf the Kenyan students during Huawei ICT Competition 2024-2025 Awards. [Courtesy] Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has said public-private partnerships remain key to advancing Kenya Kwanza's digital agenda. While reinforcing the government's commitment to positioning education at the forefront of the nation's technological advancement, Ogamba said education plays a pivotal role in the country's digital transformation. Huawei ICT Competition 2024-2025 Awards Ceremony in Nairobi, where he highlighted ICT's transformative potential. "Education empowers our people, reduces inequality, and builds a prosperous future. As we transition to a knowledge-driven economy, investment in ICT education is paramount," said Ogamba. According to him the Education Ministry is dedicated to equitable access to quality education, ensuring students are prepared for 21st-century workforce demands. "Collaborations with institutions like Huawei, Safaricom, and UNESCO are critical in integrating technology into education, training lecturers, and bridging skills gaps in emerging fields like 5G, AI, and Cloud Computing," he noted. The Huawei ICT Competition aligns with national goals, offering students industry exposure and career opportunities while complementing initiatives like the Open University of Kenya and Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. This year's competition attracted 21,000 students from 18 Sub-Saharan African countries, with 21 Kenyans advancing to the Regional Finals. Out of these, 12 students will represent Kenya at the Global Finals in Shenzhen, China, after attending a tech immersion program in Johannesburg. Mr Michael Kamau, Head of Huawei ICT Academy, emphasised Huawei's investment in nurturing talent. READ: Kenyan students scoop top three prizes at Huawei's ICT competition awards "Through talent transformation and cultivation, we address industry needs while building a sustainable digital ecosystem," he said. The competition provides a global platform for students to excel in fields like AI and networking, with Kenyan students consistently performing well. A significant achievement this year was the increased participation of female students. Among them was Rukia Mohammed, a Telecommunication Engineering student at JKUAT and a Top Prize Winner. Rukia, determined to inspire more girls in tech, announced her plans to mentor young women through a university program dubbed She Tech Africa. "In my university (JKUAT), not all students are aware of these opportunities, so I will first volunteer to be a Huawei instructor this coming year before I finish my undergraduate studies," said Rukia. Determined to bridge the gender gap in technology, she added, "I'm going to ensure girls take up this golden opportunity spearheaded by Huawei and partners. My focus will be on empowering girls to undertake such opportunities. I want to mentor girls and inspire them to pursue technological courses and explore careers in the ICT field." Her sentiments were reiterated by JKUAT Vice Chancellor Prof Victoria Wambui Ngumi who commended the Huawei ICT Academy for empowering the next generation of tech innovators. "The Huawei ICT Academy empowers the next generation of tech innovators. This partnership provides students with invaluable resources and opportunities that will shape their careers and our digital future," she said. ALSO READ: 18 Kenyan students win regional awards for the Huawei ICT Competition Wanjiku Njire, Safaricom's Senior Manager for Government Relations, urged students to use their skills to address real-world challenges like climate change, education, and healthcare. "Innovate, collaborate and challenge the status quo. We encourage you to deploy your skills to solve present real-world challenges like climate change, education, health, and food security," Njire said. Since 2018, the Huawei ICT Competition has engaged over 2,700 universities, trained over 11,000 teachers, and equipped more than 1 million students with ICT skills. Over 500 participants have secured jobs through Huawei's Talent Job Fair, with top performers gaining fast-track entry into Huawei's Management Trainee Program.

Public-private partnership key for digital advancement, CS Ogamba says

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