By Andrew Irumba
Makerere University, in partnership with Chinese tech company Huawei is to establish an ICT Academy in Uganda, Spy Uganda has learnt.
The academy, officials said, will offer free certification to students with the aim of improving and cultivating ICT talents, bridge the gap between universities and the corporate world, by offering hands-on training skills, promoting ICT industry technology certification, developing ICT industry talent and a strong learning ecosystem.
According to signed MoU, the academy will run as a non-commercial co-operation project between Huawei and universities, colleges, and other Educational institutions all over the world.
Speaking at the ceremony held at Makerere University, Hon Frank Kagyigi Tumwebaze, the minister of ICT commended the initiative targeting at skilling the youth for competitive employment.
“Through initiatives such as these, we cultivate and pool together ICT professionals that are crucial to industry development, thus boosting ICT industry development, driving the development of different sectors and contributing to lower unemployment rates over the long term,” he said.
Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe said the institution is ready to work with Huawei to ensure that this programme is well implemented.
Huawei’s Managing Director Mr. Liujiawei stressed that Huawei would co-operate with the various universities of Uganda such as Makerere Univ.and those in the countryside to teach ICT courses to over 1,000 students, encourage students to get certified by Huawei and cultivate professionals with practical skills for the world and ICT Chain, without charge.
The ICT academy immediately starts its enrollment of students this June 2019 after certifying the lecturers who will teach them. The lecturers are already undergoing training and will soon complete their certificates with Huawei.
