Unlocking Tech Careers: Sylvia Jebet’s Success with Huawei Seeds for the Future

This article is shared by Huawei and highlights the experiences and impact of the Huawei Seeds for the Future program on participants like Sylvia Jebet.

In 2020, as the world grappled with the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sylvia Jebet Kipkemoi, then a third-year student of BSc. Telecommunication & Information Engineering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), found herself back in her village. With educational institutions shut down and uncertainty looming, Sylvia, like many others, sought ways to remain engaged and continue her learning journey despite the lockdown.

Sylvia, an active member of her university’s engineering club responsible for publicity, recounts the moment when she had to adapt to new forms of communication due to the pandemic’s restrictions. “We relied a lot on keeping in touch through printed stuff like fliers while in college, which was now restricted by the pandemic. So I began scouting for other means of communication during the lockdown. We then decided to form a WhatsApp group. It’s through this group that one of the members shared a link on the Huawei Seeds for the Future programme,” she explained.

Intrigued by the prospect of advanced training and international exposure, Sylvia eagerly applied to the program. Despite her initial skepticism, given the competition from senior students, she was selected to participate in 2020. “I applied, even though I was skeptical since I was competing against senior students, some of whom were in their final (fifth) year. Being chosen as a participant felt like a significant milestone in my academic and career journey,” she says.

The Huawei Seeds for the Future Programme

The Huawei Seeds for the Future programme is a global initiative aimed at nurturing young talent in the ICT sector. Established in 2008, the program provides university students worldwide with opportunities to enhance their technical skills and gain international exposure to the latest technologies. The program focuses on emerging technologies such as 5G, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, offering a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice. Sessions are conducted by industry experts, ensuring that participants receive high-quality training.

The program also includes a global learning tour and cultural exchange, typically held at Huawei’s headquarters in China. However, due to the pandemic, Sylvia’s cohort experienced the program virtually, which included training sessions, assessments, and a virtual tour of Huawei University. Despite the virtual format, the program’s impact was profound, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge technologies.

Transformative Experience

Sylvia describes the Huawei Seeds for the Future programme as a transformative experience that significantly enhanced her technical skills and understanding of emerging technologies. “The Seeds for the Future programme offers in-depth training on emerging technologies such as 5G, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. These sessions are conducted by industry experts and provide hands-on practice, which significantly enhanced students’ technical skills and understanding of these cutting-edge technologies,” she said.

In 2024, Sylvia, along with three other Kenyan students, had the opportunity to participate in a one-week immersion into digital technology skills during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai in China. This visit included a tour of Huawei’s headquarters, where Sylvia witnessed the latest innovations and interacted with professionals at the forefront of technological advancements. “The Huawei Seeds for the Future programme was a transformative experience, packed with learning and growth opportunities.

Visiting Huawei’s headquarters in China was an eye-opener. I witnessed the latest innovations and interacted with professionals who are at the forefront of technological advancements. This exposure has given me valuable insights into the global ICT landscape and the practical applications of the technologies I was learning about,” she said.

Cultural Immersion and Soft Skills Development

One of the unique aspects of the Huawei Seeds for the Future programme is its emphasis on cultural immersion. Participants learn about Chinese culture, history, and language, broadening their perspectives and enhancing their cross-cultural communication skills. Sylvia highlighted this aspect, saying, “One of the unique aspects of the programme was the cultural immersion activities. Learning about Chinese culture, history, and language broadened my perspective and taught me the importance of cross-cultural communication in today’s globalized world. This experience has made me more adaptable and open-minded.”

In addition to technical knowledge, the program emphasizes the development of soft skills. Through various team projects and interactions, Sylvia scaled up her leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. “Through this programme, I have realized the immense potential of ICT in driving innovation and solving real-world problems. I am grateful to Huawei for the opportunity and am committed to using what I have learned to drive technological innovation and make a positive impact and improve lives in my community and beyond,” she expressed.

Career Impact

The skills and knowledge Sylvia gained from the Huawei Seeds for the Future programme have significantly impacted her career. She now works as a Developer Relations Associate at Africa’s Talking, a telecommunication company that offers a unified API platform for software developers in Africa to build applications using SMS, USSD, voice, and airtime. Sylvia’s role involves engaging with the developer community, fostering innovation, and ensuring the effective use of Africa’s Talking’s API platform.

Reflecting on her journey, Sylvia attributes much of her success to the Huawei Seeds for the Future programme. “The program not only enhanced my technical skills but also helped me develop crucial soft skills. I am now more confident in my abilities and more committed than ever to making a positive impact through technology,” she said.

Conclusion

Sylvia Jebet Kipkemoi’s story is a testament to the transformative power of the Huawei Seeds for the Future programme. From a village in Kenya to the bustling tech landscape of China, Sylvia’s journey underscores the importance of global initiatives that nurture young talent and provide them with the skills and exposure needed to thrive in the ICT sector. Through her experience, Sylvia has become a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating how opportunities in technology can drive innovation, solve real-world problems, and make a lasting impact on communities.