Huawei sows 'Telecom Seeds' in Thailand
Chinese firm launches initiative for academic, technical knowledge transfer with KMITL
After small-scale knowledge-transfer programmes, Huawei Technologies (Thailand) has stepped up its CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiative to help develop the country’s human-resource infrastructure.
A cooperative agreement was struck recently with King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) that will involve academic and technical knowledge transfers as well as career-development support for students focusing on telecommunications and related disciplines.
This is the first agreement of its type for Huawei in Thailand and is aimed at demonstrating the many practical benefits to be achieved when academic institutions partner with leading private corporations.
It was struck under Huawei’s “Telecom Seeds for the Future” programme, established in 2008. Within five years, it plans to expand the programme to 20 major universities, where it will reach some 3,000 students.
“KMITL has an outstanding reputation in telecommunications technology and electrical engineering, which are fields of particular interest to Huawei,” said Chen Rui, managing director of Huawei Technologies (Thailand).
“Further, many of our staff, including a number of our senior local executives, have graduated from this faculty, so we are very familiar with the high quality of [its] graduates. We believe that Huawei can provide valuable expertise and insights into state-of-the-art technology that will benefit both the students and faculty of the institution and ultimately help develop Thailand’s human-resource infrastructure.”
In the coming year Huawei plans to establish formal relations with the engineering and technology-oriented faculties at the top 10 universities in Thailand. This will represent a critical element of the company’s total CSR programme and reinforce its reputation as an excellent corporate citizen in Thailand, it says.
The initial agreement with KMUTL is for two years, with the possibility that the term will be extended.
Huawei also announced the four KMITL students who will receive special two-year academic scholarships as part of the company’s educational CSR programme.
“KMILT and the faculty of engineering will celebrate their 55th anniversary next year,” said Assistant Professor Dr Komsan Maleesee, dean of the engineering faculty.
“We are always looking for ways to improve the educational experience of our students, and this agreement with Huawei promises to offer a unique set of benefits including access to world-class technology, professional expertise and insights from professionals in the industry, and of course the ability to apply for practical internships that offer our students the ability to learn by doing at a major global corporation.
“This set of benefits will greatly enhance our offering and lead to even better-qualified graduates from our programmes.”
Under the Telecom Seeds for the Future programme, Huawei Thailand has executed a large number of knowledge-transfer projects and provided guest lectures at Thailand’s top academic institutions, which have provided training to about 1,000 students.
Additionally, Huawei has offered internships to about 100 qualified university students from across Thailand.
The company is also organising a special two-week trip to Huawei’s corporate headquarters for 10 students, two professors and 10 government experts to offer an unparalleled opportunity to gain first-hand experience with Chinese culture while gaining knowledge about the latest breakthroughs in advanced next-generation information and communications technology, and how they can benefit Thailand’s development.
“Huawei is committed to growing our presence in Thailand over the long term and engaging in ongoing collaborative relationships with key academic institutions is an important part of this process,” Chen said.
The scholarship programme will be expanded to 300 students and offer an additional 100 students the opportunity to join special study trips to its headquarters in China.
“Through these activities we both help develop the skilled human resources Thailand will need to compete in the global market of tomorrow, while also raising awareness of Huawei’s technology leadership and unique culture. This is really a win-win situation that we look forward to expanding in the years ahead,” Chen said.
