Seeds For the Future 2.0: Cultivating ICT Talent to Stimulate Innovation
In the digital economy, ICT talent plays an instrumental role in driving digital transformation and unleashing productivity. In 2008, Huawei launched its flagship talent development program – Seeds for the Future. In July 2021, we integrated various talent development projects across the company and officially launched the Seeds for the Future 2.0 program, which is also known as SEEDS. The program includes a range of digital talent development projects related to basic digital skills training, talent leadership, intergovernmental talent cooperation, technology competitions, and vocational skills certifications that help increase employability. The program aims to develop ICT talent in the countries and regions in which we operate and improve their abilities to use new technologies and platforms to innovate and create. The ultimate goal is to advance science and technology and drive global digital inclusion. In 2023, we held more diverse activities through the Huawei Cloud Developer Institute and ICT Academy than the previous year, benefiting developers and industry professionals around the world. By the end of December 2023, the Seeds for the Future 2.0 program had been implemented in more than 150 countries and regions, benefiting over 3.4 million people.
StoryTech4Good Global Competition
The Tech4Good Global Competition, which was launched in 2021 as part of the Seeds for the Future program, encourages participants to propose innovative digital solutions that address sustainability issues and create both business and social value.
At the 2023 Tech4Good Startup Sprint in China, the previous year's winning teams from Algeria, Italy, and Ireland went on field trips to see some commercial applications of digital technologies, and received guidance on their projects from startup entrepreneurs and technical experts. Following a careful review by the Tech4Good startup investment committee, the Algerian team was awarded a US$100,000 startup fund for their farm hazard warning and monitoring system. This fund created more possibilities for the team to implement their ideas and achieve business success.
At the 2023 competition, Team Namibia won the First Prize with their AI-powered teaching solution that caters to the needs of every student. The Second and Third Prizes went to Team Uzbekistan's farm irrigation optimization solution and Team Germany's drinking water purification solution, respectively. Team Brazil and Team Uzbekistan won the People's Choice Award based on public voting. The winning teams will be invited to participate in a digital tour in China in 2024.
The winning teams of the Tech4Good Global Competition on their tour in China in 2023
StoryFirst Seeds for the Future Global Ambassador Election
In 2023, Huawei held the first Seeds for the Future Global Ambassador Election. Voting was done online and open to the public, and the 10 alumni with the most votes became ambassadors of the program. As representatives of global Seeds for the Future alumni, the ambassadors participated in a range of activities throughout the year, including online workshops and offline industry events, as well as Huawei's flagship events and international multilateral conferences.
The ambassador from Ecuador attended MWC Barcelona to learn about the latest developments in the communications industry. The ambassador from Ireland chaired the Talent & Green Summit at COP 28 and highlighted the importance of green and sustainable development for the digital economy. The ambassador from the Philippines spoke at the Asia Pacific Digital Talent Summit, as part of Huawei's annual flagship event HUAWEI CONNECT, and discussed new ways to shape future leaders with the Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation. On behalf of global Seeds for the Future alumni, the ambassadors have promised to demonstrate their passion and skills during their year-long term to make sure that the voices of young people are heard by more people.
An online workshop with global Seeds for the Future ambassadors
