Huawei has called for deeper collaboration between governments, the private sector, and academia as a key strategy to drive innovation, foster economic growth, and create sustainable development solutions.
Speaking at a round table on Partnerships for Development through Science Parks and Areas of Innovation, on the sidelines of the 41st IASP World Conference from September 24-27, 2024, in Nairobi, Adam Lane, director of government affairs and policy at Huawei Kenya, emphasised the importance of partnerships in leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address pressing local, regional, and global challenges.
“In the last five years, we have worked closely with Konza in providing infrastructure and training for Jitume Labs, as well as funding research into how to enhance their effectiveness. We also plan to support events to bring more partners on board to Jitume. We are collaborating with Machakos University to set up an IoT Lab and contributing content for the Bachelor’s in IoT and cloud computing, as well as supporting innovation competitions and hackathons with universities and TVETs across the country. Through these partnerships, we can unlock the full potential of digital transformation,” Mr. Lane said.
Collective expertise
Mr. Lane stated that leveraging the collective expertise of governments, businesses, and academic and research institutions will create innovative ecosystems that support digital transformation and foster environments where innovation thrives.
He noted that through collaboration, governments, academic institutions, and businesses can jointly solve complex challenges and harness new opportunities in areas like smart cities, connectivity, and digital inclusion.
“Huawei has partnered with Konza Technopolis and Machakos University, among others, because we believe that the collective expertise of governments, businesses, and academic institutions can create a powerful engine for sustainable innovation,” Lane said.
He added that while Huawei embraces partnerships that bring greater impacts, the company also recommends focusing on one’s strengths and niche areas, highlighting an ongoing programme using AI for special needs as one example.
“At Huawei, we believe that technology can be a force for good. We are committed to collaborating with governments, academia and industry leaders to develop innovative solutions that address the unique needs of communities around us as we strive to create a brighter future for all,” Mr. Lane noted.
