Huawei Philippines Leads Digital Talent Revolution in ASEAN Region

In a resounding celebration of digital innovation, Huawei, in collaboration with the ASEAN Foundation and SEAMEO, orchestrated the Seeds for the Future Summit 2023, showcasing the boundless potential of emerging tech leaders in the Asia-Pacific region.

The summit, held under the theme “Connect, Cultivate, Contribute for Inclusive Digital Talent Growth in Asia-Pacific,” brought together 91 exceptional participants from 19 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This included a prominent Philippine delegation, underscoring the country’s active role in the digital evolution landscape.

Huawei’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of tech leaders was evident as Mr. Simon Lin, President of Huawei Asia Pacific, expressed, “This is the third year for Huawei to host the Asia Pacific Seed for the Future Summit. Every year, we can see this program grow with something new, with more partners joining us. Meanwhile, three things remain unchanged: Partnership, Commitment, and Youth empowerment.”

The event commenced with a vibrant cultural parade, where representatives from 19 countries adorned in their national costumes, showcased the rich diversity of the region. H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, officially opened the event, emphasizing the importance of private-led initiatives in attracting and nurturing digital talents.

H.E. Amb. Hou Yan QI, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN, acknowledged the impact of the program in catalyzing the digital transformation of ASEAN countries. He highlighted how Seeds for the Future injected youthful impetus into the upgrading of China-ASEAN cooperation.

Huawei’s collaboration with the ASEAN Foundation drew appreciation from H.E. Amb. Heng Sarith, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Cambodia to ASEAN and Chair of the Board of Trustees of ASEAN Foundation. He commended Huawei for creating a platform that empowers young people in the Asia Pacific region, allowing them to enhance their digital skills and expand networks beyond national boundaries.

Dr. Kritsachai Somsaman, Centre Director, Southeast Asian Minister of Education Organization Regional Centre for STEM Education, emphasized the urgency of cultivating digital talent. He described the Seeds for the Future program as crucial to boosting growth and resilience, holding the power to revolutionize industries, societies, and economies by inspiring and nurturing the next generation of leaders.

A pivotal moment in the summit was the joint declaration by Huawei and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The declaration focused on six key areas of digital collaboration across the Asia-Pacific, encompassing ICT policy and regulation, joint research, inclusive infrastructure, digital capacity-building, girls and youth empowerment, and digital practice-sharing.

The summit concluded with a panel discussion led by Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation. Experts from the National University of Singapore, Huawei representatives, and Seeds for the Future participants delved into shaping tomorrow’s leaders by closing gaps, harnessing digital skills, and nurturing lifelong skills.

L to R, Philippines Seeds Justin Dy, Vince Lim, Allain Ricci Tan, Criscela Ysabelle Racelis, Daryll Gomez, Huawei Seeds Brand Ambassador Jeziel Ramos, Danielle Louis Ledesma visit Huawei Dongguan Campus

This talent summit extended beyond the conference room, offering an immersive experience for the 91 students. A tour of Huawei’s campuses in Shenzhen and Dongguan, China, provided unique insights into information theory, digital power, automobile technologies, and cybersecurity. The participants, selected by Huawei, the ASEAN Foundation, and ITU, represented a diverse range of countries, showcasing the global impact of Seeds for the Future.

Seeds for the Future is Huawei’s flagship talent program that immerses participants in technologies and cross-cultural experiences. With a commitment to Tech4Good projects, Seeds for the Future aims to shape ICT leaders of tomorrow, fostering a digital revolution that transcends boundaries and empowers the youth for a brighter future.