The Seeds for the Future 2024 program was inaugurated here by Huawei on Friday, the fourth consecutive year for the Chinese technology giant to continue its efforts to help the South Asian country achieve a digital transformation.
Undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in the program co-organized with Nepal's ministry of education, science and technology.
Under the program, top selected students shall join on-site training and a regional competition in China in September, where they will be attending seminars on cutting-edge technological innovation as well.
The top two teams from the regional round shall visit China again for the global final.
"The experiences and knowledge gained through this program will empower our young talents to become leaders in the digital transformation of Nepal," said Huang Jun, CEO of Huawei Nepal. "They are the seeds that will grow into the future innovators, entrepreneurs and tech leaders of the nation."
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Bishwo Babu Pudasaini, secretary at Nepal's ministry of education, science and technology, stressed that the Huawei program offers "a unique platform" for Nepali students to get insights into cutting-edge technologies, foster cross-cultural understanding and ignite their entrepreneurial spirit.
"This comprehensive approach aligns with our vision of creating a knowledge-based society," said the secretary.
Michael Croft, representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to Nepal, described the Huawei program as one "very much in line" with the priorities and development requirements of Nepal.
"And it's the sort of program that the young people are calling for," he said at the inauguration ceremony.
The UN body is a strategic partner in Huawei's program.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song called the Seeds for the Future program "a shining example to nurture young talents and foster innovation."
"This initiative reflects the values of knowledge-sharing and capacity-building that are crucial for the advancement of any society," Chen said on the occasion.
Launched in Thailand in 2008 as Huawei's flagship corporate social responsibility program, Seeds for the Future has been covering 140 countries and regions and benefiting more than 18,000 students.
For his part, Bhola Thapa, vice chancellor of Kathmandu University, voiced his appreciation for Huawei's unwavering dedication to developing local talents in Nepal over the years.
Kathmandu University and Tribhuvan University are working together with Huawei under the program.■
Source: https://english.news.cn/20240601/9aac40889db942a4b9cf8cafb71c78ae/c.html