UAE’s Beyond Limits Secures Second Place At Tech4Good Competition In Tashkent

Team Future Gadget Lab from Kuwait and Team Beyond Limits from the UAE secured first and second place, respectively, in the regional semifinal of the fourth annual Tech4Good Competition. This event was held alongside the Seeds for the Future 2024 Programme in Tashkent.

The awards ceremony in Tashkent marked the end of the regional finals of the Seeds for the Future 2024 programme. Huawei, in collaboration with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Digital Technologies, celebrated this occasion. The teams were praised for their innovative technology aiding stroke patients with limited hand mobility. They will now compete in China with other qualifying teams globally to explore ICT’s potential for sustainable development.

Teams from Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain also received recognition for their exceptional projects. Team Nabeeh from Saudi Arabia, Team Sufun from Oman, and Team AquaLucens from Bahrain were among those honoured. Additionally, Amanzhan Sabyrgali from Kazakhstan and Zainab Al Zaimoor from Bahrain were chosen as Mentors’ Favourites for their skills and positive influence on their teams during the competition.

The closing ceremony saw attendance from notable figures such as Rustam Karimjonov, Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, and Nausheen Adnan, Member of Pakistan's Parliament and Advisor on Educational Reforms.

Shunli Wang, Vice President of Huawei Middle East and Central Asia, highlighted the importance of this year's programme. He said, "The 2024 edition of the Huawei Seeds for the Future programme is particularly significant as it marks both the 10th anniversary of the programme in Uzbekistan and the 25th anniversary of Huawei’s operations in this nation. We are grateful to our sponsor, the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, for their fervent support and for enabling us to celebrate this momentous occasion in Uzbekistan. We are confident this gathering was instrumental in nurturing the region’s burgeoning ICT talent and empowering the youth to lead digital innovation and shape the region’s sustainable future."

Rustam Karimjonov expressed his appreciation for Huawei's role in Uzbekistan's digital transformation. He stated that skill-based development and industry exposure are crucial for students to innovate within the digital economy. He added that initiatives like Seeds for the Future equip youth with industry knowledge and strengthen ICT talent ecosystems.

Impact on Students

Nausheen Adnan praised Huawei's platform for developing ICT skills among students at a global level. She remarked on how inspiring it was to see young talents representing their countries at such events. She emphasised that programmes like these are vital for equipping students with necessary skills and advancing towards a digital era.

This year’s Seeds for the Future programme brought together 150 university students from 14 countries across Middle East and Central Asia. Participants came from leading universities in Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Uzbekistan.

Programme Activities

The week-long event included sessions aimed at developing Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) skills while promoting global digital inclusion. Students engaged in various activities including classes on cutting-edge technologies like 5G, AI, cloud technologies; discussions on global topics; Tech4Good group projects; cultural programmes; and visits to companies like Huawei and Artel.

The Tech4Good competition encourages youth to drive positive change by addressing social issues using advanced ICT technologies. This platform empowers young minds to harness technology's potential to make a difference within their communities.

Huawei’s Commitment to ICT Talent Development

Since its inception in 2008, Huawei’s Seeds for the Future programme has been a flagship CSR initiative aimed at developing global ICT talents. Over 18,000 students from 141 countries have participated so far. The programme has received endorsements from more than 360 senior officials and heads of state while collaborating with over 500 universities worldwide to cultivate future ICT leaders.

The intensive training sessions held over five days covered scientific leadership topics along with practical workshops on advanced ICT technologies. Participants gained insights into emerging technologies which enhanced their competitiveness in job markets.

With inputs from WAM