Huawei has announced the toppers of Seeds For The Future 2021 Bangladesh from eight universities. The name of the winners has been announced at an online gala event.
Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury graced the occasion as the chief guest with the presence of Beatrice Kaldun, UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh; Prof. Satya Prasad Majumder, Vice-chancellor (VC) of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET); Dr Omar Jah, pro-vice-chancellor, Islamic University of Technology (IUT); and Zhang Zhengjun, CEO of Huawei Technologies (Bangladesh) Limited. Other high officials from Huawei Bangladesh; academicians and participants from renowned universities were also present.
Seeds For The Future is Huawei’s flagship CSR programme dedicated to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) based students worldwide and is meant for inspiring ICT talent. First launched in Bangladesh in 2014, this programme has been nurturing ICT talents since its initiation.
This year, the University of Dhaka (DU), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) joined the event when it includes private universities namely Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) and East West University (EWU) for the first time.
More than 600 students from these eight universities rolled in the selection phase this year. And from there, 16 toppers, one male and one female student from each university, have been selected based on their academic record, spot-exam, presentation skill and innovative thinking. In the selection rounds, a special jury board was formed to prepare questions for the spot exam and assess interviewees.
The 16 students are– Imtiaz Ahmed, and Syeda Fatima Fayruj from BUET; Sumayya Rahman, and Mehedi Hasan from KUET; Nahian Rifaat, and Nazifa Rahman Adhora from RUET; Aninda Nandy, and Fatema Islam Tania from CUET; Syed Doha Uddin, and Nishat Tasnim from the DU; Seeamoon Hasiba Reza, and Mohtasim Tasnim Zaman from East West University; Kazi Arham
Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury said, “As Bangladesh is progressing young people. In this regard, Huawei’s initiative ‘Seeds For The Future’ will yield positiv outcomes not only for the future leaders but also for the country.”
“We started this programme in Bangladesh seven years ago, and the response has been phenomenal. Huawei considers the youth as of today’s seeds, which must be facilitated with proper care so that they can prove to be assets in the future. To that end, Huawei has taken several initiatives, including ‘Seeds For The Future’ program so that the youth of the country can be trained and upskilled”, said Zhang Zhengjun, CEO of Huawei Technologies (Bangladesh) Limited.
Beatrice Kaldun, said, “Today’s youth are the future of tomorrow. Huawei, through the Seeds for the Future Programme, is supporting Bangladesh’s emerging ICT talent and future ICT leaders by broadening their knowledge and equipping them with skills that will be useful and relevant to them both in their professional careers as well as lives as responsible global citizens.”
Prof. Satya Prasad Majumder, VC of BUET, said “This programme has been an excellent opportunity for our students to develop skills and learn so many things firsthand from experts
and Huawei engineers. I appreciate Huawei for such initiative.” Dr. Omar Jah, pro vice-chancellor, IUT, said, “Students are our future. They will keep the wheels of the progress of the country rolling. As being a part of university we are always thrilled and happy when we see the youth involved. Seeds For The Future is a nice platform to do better in student’s academic exams, improving presentation skills, and igniting their innovative minds. I would like to thank Huawei for working for developing the future ICT talents.”
A 3rd Year student from the CSE department of RUET and one of the winners, Nazifa Rahman Adhora said, “There is a huge difference between the way I looked at the world before attending this programme and after being a part of this programme.
Earlier, there were lots of ideas in my head, but those were amorphous. After attending ‘Seeds For The Future,’ I have started figuring out the ways to shape up my scattered ideas and make those more concise and constructive.”
Traditionally, the selected students would go to China for a study trip; however, due to COVID- 19, the training has been shifted to an online programme. The winners also get certificates of completion along with awards.