Gulu Varsity Student Named Best Huawei Seeds For the Future 2020 Trainee

By Francis Otucu

Gulu University student, Patrick Kasiita, has been named the best student in the Wednesday concluded Seeds for the future 2020 program held 100% virtual.

Kasiita, is among 37 students drawn from 8 public university in Uganda who, for the past weeks, have been camped at Huawei headquarters in Kampala, Uganda for the 2020 edition of the annual Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) program.

Kasiita, took home Huawei Matebook.

Janet Lele (Muni University and Brenda Namuli (Makerere University) emerged second best, each taking home Huawei P40 Lite while three students; Stuart Ayesiga (Kabale University), Aaron Rubangakene (Lira University and Andrew Okello (Mbarara University) settled for third prize – Huawei P30 Lite, per winner. For the past fortnight or so, the students trained on the latest technology trends such as 5G, cyber security and cloud computing among others. “This training has opened our eyes technology wise. We have acquired knowledge in key ICT STI areas but more so, we enjoyed virtual tours of China. I believe that the benefit surpasses individual benefit,” Kasiita said, during a virtual closing ceremony Wednesday morning. I appeal to my colleagues, he added, “manifest in the realm of technology, and don’t sit on your new found skill. It’s now our duty to put to practice what we have learnt.”

Kasiita commended Huawei Uganda and the Chinese government for the opportunity.

Commercial Counselor in the Chinese Embassy, Zhao Xiufen noted, in her remarks, “I look forward to seeing more fruits of our (China and Uganda) cooperation”

While presiding over the even as Chief Guest, minister in charge of sports, Denis Hamson Obua, noted that government has been steadfast in ensuring the good relations between Uganda and China remains intact.

“Uganda is a beneficiary of the goodwill of China. We are proud of the service, employment and training opportunities to the citizens of Uganda and we appeal for more support,” he said. Obua admitted, “The future development of any country lays on ICT and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), Uganda is no exception.”

The seeds for the future program is Huawei’s Corporate Social Responsibility flag ship program that began in 2008. This program takes 10 students every year to China for hands- on technological training in the latest industry trends. Approximately 30,000 students have taken part since inception.