ICT students win under New Colombo Plan

Up to 75 students over the next three years will benefit from a partnership between the Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) and Huawei Australia, following receipt of federal funding under the New Colombo Plan Mobility Programme.

The New Colombo Plan Mobility Programme will offer support for Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program, an initiative which offers undergraduate students the opportunity to travel to Huawei’s HQ in Shenzhen, China.

There, the students will experience the latest emerging technology and products; visit Huawei’s Exhibition Centre, R&D labs and Logistics Centre; and experience life on campus.

“The Australian government has given high priority to building a skilled ICT workforce. Thanks to the strong support from the government and higher education institutions, Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program has achieved great success since it was launched in Australia in 2013,” said Ms Chen Lifang, Huawei’s senior VP of the Public Affairs and Communications Department.

Chen said the program aims to inspire more students to pursue a career in STEM fields.

“Through Seeds for the Future, we will nurture more high-end talent and even leaders in technology, strategy and management,” said Chen.

“We’re thrilled to receive this funding, which will provide more opportunities for students to interact with state-of-the-art technology, get first-hand experience and learn vital multicultural business skills at one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies,” said ATN Executive Director Renee Hindmarsh.

“We’ve seen first-hand the benefits students get from overseas study experiences and there have already been some tremendous outcomes since the beginning of the program,” said Hindmarsh.

“Past students have found the study tour invaluable, giving them rare insights into the latest innovation and trends in the telecommunications industry, opening up new doors for their future careers, with some inspired to return to China this year.

“With the nationwide spread of the ATN, and the potential future involvement of ATN researchers in joint research projects with Huawei, this program will stimulate and strengthen both institutional and student engagement with the massive Asian high-tech market,” Hindmarsh said.

Image courtesy Huawei.