TVET students urged to register for ICT global competition

The Ministry of Education has urged principals of TVET institutions across the country to encourage students to register for the forthcoming Huawei ICT Global competition.

Principal Secretary for TVETs Esther Muoria on Thursday said the competition has become an important platform for identifying, nurturing, and showcasing top ICT talent from both universities and TVET institutions.

Muoria said it is a shining example of the positive impact that public–private partnerships can have on education and youth empowerment.

She said earlier this year, Huawei and the State Department for TVET signed a memorandum of understanding in South Africa to strengthen talent development collaboration.

This MoU, she said, will help expand training opportunities to 150 TVET institutions, and annually build ICT skills capacity for TVET trainers and learners while fostering innovation to enhance the industry readiness of TVET graduates.

“ICT is no longer just a support function; it is central to our manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and financial sectors,” she said.

Muoria said since the inception of the initiative in 2018, Huawei, which is the implementing partner, had engaged university students, but after the MoU, all stakeholders agreed that more TVET students should be engaged.

“Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, Big Data, the Internet of Things, and cybersecurity are transforming how we work and live, making continuous upskilling not just an option but a necessity,” said Muoria.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula said the competition has so far impacted more than 12,000 students from over 40 universities, colleges, and TVET institutions across the country.

These students, he said, have not only acquired valuable skills but have also contributed to Kenya’s rising reputation as a hub for technological innovation in Africa.

“I wish to assure you that Parliament will continue to provide an enabling legislative and policy framework to support the growth of ICT and innovation in Kenya.

"We will work closely with stakeholders to ensure that policies, budgets, and regulatory measures foster an environment where young innovators can thrive and compete at both municipal and international fora,” Wetangula said.

The Speaker argued that the future of the country rests in the hands of young innovators, and the ICT sector is central to building the Kenya of tomorrow.

“This competition offers a platform to learn, compete, and gain the expertise that is in high demand globally. This is not just a contest, it is a transformative journey that will open doors, shape futures, and expand horizons,” said Wetangula.

Huawei Kenya ICT Academy Programme Manager Michael Kamau said the impact of the competition has gone far beyond the borders, with more than 40 Kenyan students having qualified for the global finals in China, competing with some of the world’s most brilliant minds.

“Many of these finalists have joined Huawei’s prestigious management trainee programme or secured roles with Huawei Channel Partners, a clear testament to the exceptional calibre of the students,” he said.

Kamau said the competition will offer Kenyan students an international platform to strengthen their ICT knowledge, improve practical skills and foster innovation using the latest technologies.

The 10th edition aims to enrol about 10,000 students from universities, TVET institutions, and colleges.

The students will compete in networking, cloud computing, and computing.