The Malawi team proudly raising the national flag
* Exposed the five Malawi universities’ students to cutting-edge innovations and deepened their understanding of global ICT trends
* The programme designed to help young adults learn about the latest trends in digitalization and explore how digital technologies can address common social issues
By Duncan Mlanjira
The five information and communication technology (ICT) students from Malawi universities, who flew to Shenzhen, China last week for the global prestigious Tech4Good competition, courtesy of Huawei Technologies, have scooped 4th position out of 12 participating countries and were at the same time named 3rd in the People’s Choice award.
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The five — from the University of Business & Applied Sciences (MUBAS), University of Malawi (UNIMA), Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), National College of Information & Technology (NACIT) and Mzuni University (MZUNI) — qualified for the global after emerging victorious in the sub-Saharan regional Tech4Good competition.
Tech4Good is Huawei’s entrepreneurship program designed to help young adults learn about the latest trends in digitalisation and explore how digital technologies can address common social issues.
The students — Grace Gausi from MUBAS; Nyasha Chinthu from MUST; Steve Tsekani from the UNIMA, Tayamika Kaponda from NACIT and Victoria Kankhokwe from Mzuni — qualified first demonstrated mastery in cutting-edge ICT skills in the sub-Saharan regional phase of the competition.
A statement from Huawei Technologies Malawi says in Shenzhen, the five were joined by participants from three other African countries; South Africa, Ethiopia and Morocco and globally from Vietnam, Cambodia, Argentina, Guatemala, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and Luxembourg that qualified for this year’s global finals.
At work during the competition in Shenzhen
The statement quotes UNIMA’s Steven Tsekani as saying the invaluable opportunity to travel to participate in the competition has exposed them to cutting-edge innovations and deepened their understanding of global ICT trends.
“We are extremely grateful to Huawei for believing in us and investing in our future,” he said on behalf of the group. “It was a great opportunity to represent Malawi on a global platform.
“We learned not only about emerging technologies but also about collaboration, innovation, and what it means to be part of a global tech community.”
The statement added that the delegation has returned home with renewed motivation to share their knowledge and inspire other students to pursue careers in ICT and contribute to Malawi’s digital transformation.
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Managing Director for Huawei Technologies Malawi, A Tao is quoted as saying: “The excellent performance in the competition represents a significant milestone for Malawi in the global technology arena.
“Throughout the period, we noted that cultural exchange and global networking opportunities are essential parts of shaping the next generation of technology in Malawi.”
He added that Huawei is motivated by the ICT capabilities Malawian youths have displayed throughout the competition’s journey: “Our objective is to see many Malawian students taking up the ICT challenges to enhance sustainability.
“Being ranked 4th and named 3rd in the award, Malawian youths have proven their capabilities on the global stage at the Tech4Good Challenge, indicating that Malawi’s youth have limitless potential.”
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According to An, the competition solidifies its commitment to nurturing young talent and providing them with opportunities to further their ICT skills and knowledge.
“We are excited to support these bright students as they took the final stage of their ICT journey after emerging regional winners in Africa,” he said. “Their success is a testament to the incredible potential within Malawi and the growing interest in ICT among young people.”
Before their departure for China, Tao An emphasised that the competition solidifies the tech company’s commitment “to nurturing young talent and providing them with opportunities to further their ICT skills and knowledge”.
He indicated that their success at the sub-Saharan regional Tech4Good competition was “a testament to the incredible potential within Malawi and the growing interest in ICT among young people”.
“Our objective is to see many Malawian students taking up the ICT challenges to enhance sustainability,” he said adding that Malawian team’s performance at the African regional competition put Malawi on the global map in terms of technological innovation.
He indicated it showcased the country’s growing digital talent and signals to the international community that Malawi can produce world-class tech leaders — with the final stage in China promising to be “an unforgettable experience for the students, with opportunities to collaborate, learn and develop essential skills for the future”.
