Huawei and The University of Nairobi launch HAINA Lab to build digital capacity

Huawei Technologies Kenya has partnered with the University of Nairobi (UoN) to launch a fully-fledged Information Technology teaching laboratory as part of a collaborative effort to bridge the digital divide in building capacity.

The Laboratory at the University of Nairobi is the second of its kind in the country after the Strathmore University Lab launched in 2013.

The Huawei Authorized Network Academy (HAINA) Labs are a non- profit programme designed to build the skills that are required to practical skills for students undertaking Computer Science and related studies.

Speaking when he confirmed the establishment of the HAINA solution in Kenya, Huawei Technologies Kenya CEO Mr. Dean Yu described the HAINA solution as a global ICT technology education program launched by Huawei.

The solution he said has adopted the popular university-enterprise cooperation model and features co-operation with universities in different countries in course development, training and certification. Courses covered under the HAINA solution include popular ICT technology subjects, including Internet Protocol, wireless, transport network, and cloud computing.

Based on Huawei’s advanced technologies in the ICT area and leading market position, the solution Mr. Dean Yu said, helps promote the development of ICT technical workforce and ICT technology.

“With the advancement of economic globalization and the intense competition for high-quality professionals, governments have increased investments in education sector. The in-depth cooperation between sector industries such as Huawei and universities is an innovative model of talent development, helping cultivate more ICT professionals and form an ICT talent pool thanks to the HAINA solution,” He said.

University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor, Prof. Peter Mbithi, while welcoming the Huawei investment at the University expressed confidence that the HAINA Solution will assist bridge the skillset gap between academic training and industrial needs.

“This partnership will bring on board expertise in ICT and related technology. Huawei Technologies, an industry leader, is committed to impart relevant employability skills to the youth who enroll to the programme. The university will provide the necessary resources to see to it that our students get the most out of the programme and in turn change the entire scope of the ICT Industry in terms of application of the skills gained, said Prof. Mbithi.

Huawei technologies is committed to ensuring that the youth of this country are not only well prepared for the job market but get a direct employment opportunity. They provide the students with job placement and internship opportunities directly and through their partners for them to be able to apply the skills they gain at the academy.

‘At Huawei, we measure our work against how much value we bring to customers. This partnership with a leading university in the region provides a platform to identify and grow skills necessary for the current job market. We at the same time look not only to equip the youth with knowledge but to also provide them with work opportunities both at Huawei and with our partners. We look forward to the success of our second story with a willing University that has seen the need of imparting relevant technology skills to its students,” said Dean Yu, CEO Huawei Kenya.

Through the HAINA solution, students at the University of Nairobi will acquire cutting-edge knowledge of ICT technology, master relevant skills, and improve their individual capabilities through elaborate hands on practical training experiences. Students going through the HAINA labs will also obtain ICT career certification to increase their employability.