China's Huawei helps Botswana ICT development

China's Huawei has greatly advanced the ICT development in Botswana through cooperation with local partners, says a senior Botswana official.

Acting Minister of Education and Skills Development Moiseraela Goya made the comment on Tuesday at Huawei Botswana 10th anniversary, where the telecom giant officially launched a global ICT training program.

A knowledge gap exists between what is learnt in the classrooms and skills that are necessary in the practical world, therefore bridging process is required and the training program will help professionals fill the gap, said Goya.

The program named "Seeds for the Future" is Huawei's biggest global corporate social responsibility event.

Huawei has been operating the program in more than 45 countries and has partnered with Botswana Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Ministry of Transport and Communication, University of Botswana and Chinese Embassy to work together in making this program a success.

Top 10 best ICT students have been selected to study in China for two weeks.

Huawei Botswana Managing Director Gao Wenli said Huawei is a responsible corporate citizen, a private company that strictly abides by standard industry practices and local customs, an ICT thought and innovation leader, and a supporter of national ICT initiatives and local industries.

Huawei is always committed to the development of and job creation. Currently over 70 percent of Huawei Botswana's staff are locally employed, he said.

"When I think of China I think of technology, because I know it's a country which is highly advanced in technology and its beautiful infrastructure," Uamunikwa Kangude, one of the selected students from University of Botswana told Xinhua. Enditem