Unrelenting in its efforts to train Nigerian students in core Information and Communications Technology skills under Huawei Authorised Information and Network Academy, in the face of the coronavirus disease, Huawei Technologies has moved its classes online.
The internet-based class engages hundreds of students across the country on their computer screens from the comfort of their homes.
HAINA, in collaboration with more than 70 universities in Nigeria, was established to train students for free in the latest internationally relevant ICT skills in subjects such as Networks, Cloud Computing and Big Data. Over 10,000 Nigerian students have benefitted from the training.
Some of the teachers and students gave insight into the structure of the Huawei ICT Academy online training programme and its impact.
Head of Information Technology Technical Support Unit, Katsina State Institute of Technology and Management, Mr.Lawal Alhassan, said his first batch of online classes held fromMay10 to 15, 2020 with about 75 students from different educational institutions from all over Nigeria.
The Huawei Academy Instructor in Routing, Switching, Storage and Security said classes were split into two, with 40 students in each.
Structured for three hours daily, the training had breaks in-between. The course was broken down into four to five topics daily.
On his experience teaching the students online, Alhassansaid, “It was a wonderful experience coming from a virtual classroom organised by Huawei. The students were so overwhelmed and, as we speak, we have over 250 students waiting to be trained and still making enquiries and application for training. To some of the students, it was a new experience which they never thought could be possible while staying at home.”
A student, NgeiMkpuru-Mpio, said, “The HCIA training was insightful and detailed, though in a short time. It forms a foundation for my Huawei 5G career pursuit.”
His colleague, Joseph Akpunonu, added, “Networking is one of my favourite courses and HCIA R&S has enlightened me more about IT and e-learning, showing that everything is still possible without classroom, despite the challenges of network and other things. It has added to my skill base and also enriched my CV.”
Huawei Channel Training Manager (ICT Talent Ecosystem Development) in Nigeria, Kenneth Igwe, said, “Although we live in difficult time with the COVID-19, Huawei will not relent in making knowledge available to students across the nation. Huawei plans to get 2,000 Nigerian students certified in core technology courses during this pandemic period, through the online training and certification.
“Through the online home training, our partners in the academia are staying safe, and also improving students’ knowledge capacity.”
