UTech, Ja. Students Awarded Huawei “Seeds for The Future” Scholarships to Visit China
Five outstanding University of Technology, Jamaica students were presented with the prestigious Huawei Technologies Limited “Seeds for the Future 2018” Scholarship Award at a presentation ceremony and send-off farewell held on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. The “Seeds for the Future” two week programme in China comprises the two main components of Cultural Experience and ICT Training.
The students are 3rd year School of Computing and Information Technology (SCIT) high achievers, Ms. Juleen Gentles (1st left), Mr. Taslan Graham (2nd left), Mr. Hushane Esson (3rd left) Ms. Kasjshae Quimwarrwye (right) and 4th year electrical engineering student Mr. Oswin Wilson. They join five students from the University of the West Indies, Mona who were also selected. The Jamaican students will join other Caribbean university students from Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana to participate in Huawei’s flagship international corporate social responsibility programme (October – November 2018).
During the programme, the “Seeds for the Future” scholarship awardees will visit the city of Beijing, China for immersion into Chinese culture and will have the opportunity to learn about its traditions and language. The students will also visit the most iconic tourist attractions of the city such as the Great Wall of China, Forbidden City and the Olympic Stadium. During the second week, the students will participate in an intense ICT training at Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen to learn about the latest advances in ICT through the company’s experts.
Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, Minister of Education, Youth and Information was guest speaker at the celebratory occasion. In his advice to students the Minister encouraged the bright, young Jamaicans “to embrace this opportunity of a lifetime, learn as much as you can, as fast as you can.” He told the students that “Jamaica is waiting for you to come back with a wealth of knowledge to help improve our ICT sector.”
Professor Colin Gyles, Deputy President in his remarks thanked Huawei Technologies for the company’s contribution to the international education of students through the Huawei Seeds for the Future Program. He congratulated all the students from both universities who met the criteria for selection for the Hauwei Seeds of the Future Program, noting that all 5 UTech, Jamaica students earned Grade Point Averages (GPA) of over 3.0 and all received high commendations from the selection panel for their appropriate “attitude”, their “innovative ideas”, “thinking outside the box, ” “good research related to the work of Huawei Technologies,” and for their “interest in making changes in ICT development.”
Prof. Gyles also thanked Faculty of Engineering and Computing members of faculty led by Dr. Sean Thorpe, Head of the School of Computing and Information Technology for guiding and preparing the students for academic excellence. He urged the students to take their new roles as Jamaican ambassadors in China seriously.
Country Manager, Huawei Jamaica, Mr. Allen Chen in his address said that through this programme, “we are offering to our Jamaican young students the opportunity to enhance their ability to adapt to the ICT industry as they learn more about the state-of-the-art technologies and skills as well as the innovation needs for the local market.” He added that “by acquiring these skills, students are able to gain confidence which can help them to excel in their careers.”
Ms Doris Ng Human Resources Manager, Huawei Jamaica, and Professor Dale Webber, Principal of the University of the West Indies, Mona also addressed the ceremony.
2017 Seeds for the Future awardees from UTech, Jamaica, Orande Harris (SCIT graduate) and Anthony Bryan from UWI, Mona shared their enjoyable memories and life-changing lessons learnt from their visit to China, and left parting words of wisdom for the “future seeds” as they prepared to depart for their own journey to China.
Mr. Neil Grant, Executive Account Manager, Huawei Technologies Jamaica Co. Ltd presents Ms. Juleen Gentles with her award for Huawei Interviewers’ Panel Selection “Top Candidate Recognition.” Announcing the award is Ms Doris Ng, (at podium) Human Resources Manager Huawei. Ms Ng praised the UTech, Jamaica student for her excellent interview in which she was noted to be eloquent, congenial and “beaming with confidence.”
Prof. Colin Gyles, (left ) Deputy President, University of Technology, Jamaica presents an appreciation plaque from the University to Mr. Allen Chen, Country Manager, Huawei Technologies Company Ltd., “in appreciation of the company’s collaboration and invaluable contribution to international education in information and communication technology through Seeds for the Future.”
“Seeds for the Future” 2018 awardees from UTech, Jamaica and UWI, Mona show off their symbolic seeds. Joining the happy occasion (seated L-R) are Professor Colin Gyles, Deputy President, UTech, Jamaica, Mr. Allen Chen, Country Manager, Huawei Technologies Company Ltd., Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, Minister of Education, Youth and Information and Professor Dale Webber, Principal, UWI, Mona.
UTech, Jamaica “Seeds for the Future” 2018 awardees pose with members of faculty and administration. (Front row, L-R) are Dr. Claire Sutherland, Senior Director, International and Institutional Linkages, Oswin Wilson, Kasjshae Quimwarrwye, Professor Colin Gyles, Deputy President. (Back row, L-R) Professor Nilza Aples, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Computing, Juleen Gentles, Dr. Sean Thorpe, Head, School of Computing and Information Technology, Taslan Graham, Hushane Esson and Dr. Therese Chambers, Head, School of Engineering.
End.
Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm