The second agreement with a National University to contribute towards building a talent ecosystem and boosting the development of Sri Lankan ICT Industry

Huawei, a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices, recently announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to build, and nurture local ICT talents through several training programs including certifications, internships, field trainings, and establishing the Huawei ICT Academy and Joint Innovation Lab at the university premises. The agreement will contribute towards building a talent ecosystem and boosting the development of the ICT industry in Sri Lanka.

The MoU was signed by Tao Guangyao, CEO of Huawei Sri Lanka and Senior Prof. Sudantha Liyanage, the Vice Chancellor of University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The University officials including Dr. Thilakasiri Bandara - Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Mr. Anurudda Weliwita – Registrar of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Dr. Akila Subasinghe - Former Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Nishan Dharmaweera - HoD, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Dr. Chamitha de Alwis - Former HoD, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Dr. Randima Dinalankara - HoD, Computer Engineering, Dr. Udaya Wijenayake - Senior Lecturer, Computer Engineering, Mr. Sandun Wijayarathne – Lecturer, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Huawei officials including Liam Nixiaopeng – Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Nadun Gunawardana – Director Enterprise Solutions and  Supun Induwara – Engineer, also took part at the event.

The proposed joint innovation lab with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura will further facilitate undergraduate and graduate research, and provide a platform to develop solutions and products for industrial needs and to organize certification courses on advanced ICT technologies. In addition, it will further strengthen ongoing commitments such as industrial training for students.

Senior Prof. Sudantha Liyanage, Vice Chancellor of University of Sri Jayewardenepura said, "As one of the largest and most diverse Universities in Sri Lanka, University of Sri Jayewardenepura is an ideal institution to collaborate with Huawei to empower the Sri Lankan youth and talent with the latest ICT industry skills and knowledge. Such ICT skills will prepare them for the future where digitization and digital transformation will play an increasingly crucial role. As we collaborate with a world leading technology company such as Huawei, we will be able to provide Sri Lankan University students with the necessary exposure to the best technology practices and global experiences in line with the fast-changing technologies.”

Tao Guangyao, CEO of Huawei Sri Lanka, also commented. "We are glad and delighted to be collaborating with a prestigious national university of Sri Lanka, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, as part of our ongoing efforts to empower local ICT talent and support Sri Lanka in its economic transformation efforts, including developing world-class talent for key industries and digital transformation. Through this partnership, we will provide world-class capabilities and advanced technologies to enable future generations to lead the digital transformation journey and advance the economic growth in Sri Lanka.”

He further assured that Huawei is committed to continuously develop high-level information and communications technologies and young talent in Sri Lanka to bridge the gap between the skills and abilities of university graduates and the expectations of businesses with regard to graduates.

Upon setting up of Huawei ICT Academy and Joint Innovation Lab, Huawei experts will be sent to the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to support the implementation of professional technical certification. The training project aims to provide high quality ICT talent for Sri Lanka and the South Asia region to meet the market demands and the challenges of the ICT industry.

University of Sri Jayewardenepura stands strong with ten (10) faculties, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Dental Sciences and its latest addition, the Faculty of Urban and Aquatic Bioresources and home to over 12,000 undergraduates, and over 1000 postgraduate students. The University is currently in the process of establishing the Faculty of Computing as its 11^th Faculty.  It is considered the largest university in terms of Student Population in Sri Lanka. The university is also in the forefront of research and innovation in Sri Lanka with a research council of over 20 research centers and an Invention, Innovation and Venture Creation Council with over 50 entrepreneurs and stakeholders with over 15 patents. The university strives to give its students an international experience, offering student exchange programmes and internships and continue to maintain cordial relationships with many international bodies of education and have signed over 60 MoUs with recognized internationally acclaimed universities; and over 60 MoUs with established international and local companies.

In Sri Lanka, Huawei has been operating for 20 years and has cooperated extensively and in-depth with major local telecommunications operators, governments and industry customers. Over the years, Huawei has continuously promoted the development of the ICT talent ecosystem in Sri Lanka through activities such as the Huawei Seeds for the Future program which was launched in 2016, and offers internships for talented young people and ICT Skills industrial training. Further in 2020 Huawei’s cooperation followed by a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Moratuwa to establish a joint innovation laboratory and ICT Academy which was opened in 2021, and collaboration with National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) for opening of NAITA-Huawei ICT Academy for Vocational Training, aims at skilling 300+ passionate youth annually, with knowledge and practice as on-site telecom engineers.

Officials from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Huawei Sri Lanka at the signing of MoU to strengthen digital talent development and setup Joint Innovation Lab

Photo caption : Vice Chancellor of University of Sri Jayewardenepura Senior Prof. Sudantha Liyanage (Third from Left) exchanging the signed MoU with CEO of Huawei Sri Lanka Tao Guangyao (Fourth From Left), with the University officials including Former Dean - Faculty of Engineering - Dr. Akila Subasinghe (Extreme Left) , Dean - Faculty of Engineering - Dr. Thilaksiri Bandara, and Huawei officials including Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Liam Nixiaopeng (Fifth from Left),   Director Enterprise Solutions - Nadun Gunawardana are also present.