Addis Ababa University (AAU) inaugurated a new ICT Practice Center at Addis Ababa Institute of Technology (former Postgraduate Campus) in collaboration with the China based Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. today, 1^st of June 2021.

The main purpose of the Center is to provide theoretical and practical training on microwave, wireless technology and software development in the telecom sector in liaison with providing training on the use of solar and generator power system to prevent frequent power cuts.

The Centre is designed with training capacity of 200 learners at a time, to train students, staffs close to ICT in AAU and other organizations, such as Ethio-Telecom operators, undergoing theoretical and practical trainings before they start regular duties.

AAU as an excellent knowledge providing entity, needs the Center in order to equip its students especially graduates with practical skills, said Professor Tassew Weldehanna, President of the University, while briefing the importance of the Center during his inaugural speech.

“As digital economy is very important practice for Ethiopia to grow and the country is liberalizing the telecom sector, our universities including AAU, have to produce capable manpower equipped with practical skills that is able to join the ICT sector,” Prof Tassew said.

Prof Tassew stated that AAU has contributed a lot for the realization of the Centre expressing that the University has paid the duty for the equipment and an estimated 2.1 million USD has been invested on the project.

“Reaching to AAU means reaching to all Ethiopian universities and the country as whole, and even to benefit the entire Africa,” Prof Tassew finally said appreciating Huawei’s determination to retain cooperation and widen its connection with the University.

Mulu Nega (PhD), State Minister at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MoSHE), on his part said, the need for highly qualified ICT graduates is very important as Ethiopia cannot realize the vision of digital economy without having capable and qualified ICT graduates.

The State Minister appreciated Huawei for the development of long term relationship with MoSHE by signing MoU in June 2017 to accelerate talent cultivation in Ethiopia and the awards of scholarship to enable Ethiopian students pursue their dreams. Huawei has.

Mr. Philp Wang, Executive VP for Huawei in Northern Africa, stated that, the fulfilment of constructing Huawei-AAU ICT Practice Centre is to give experience and knowledge transfer to Ethiopia which will have a great contribution for the very future of its development endeavor.

By: Abraham Giramy

Photo: Andualem Aseffa

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