Fifty (50) student innovators drawn from provinces of Zambia have been awarded a One Thousand ($1000) dollars each for their outstanding digital innovations, under the Hakainde Hichilema Innovation fund (HHIF).
The HHIF is a component of Huawei sponsored Digital Innovation Leadership talent program, under the patronage of President Hakainde Hichilema, and it seeks to encourage home grown ICT innovations from students across institutions of higher learning.
Speaking at the award ceremony at State House, President Hakainde Hichilema
Commended Huawei for fulfilling its pledge, adding that he had a discussion with
Huawei concerning the innovation program last year in 2022.
“I wish to thank Huawei for fulfilling their pledge, we were in the cabinet room last year when this ideas was mooted and today we are here to award prizes and so thank you Huawei technologies for this initiative” The President said.
Mr. Hichilema said he was delighted to have the first 50 recipients of the HHIF and that his heart was beaming with joy at the fact history had been written.
The President further expressed his happiness at the works from young people that were being awarded, and urged them to continue providing leadership in different spheres of life.
Mr. Hichilema said his Government is determined to take the nation forward using innovation across all sectors and that the government’s agenda was to grow Zambia into middle prosperous income status.
And Huawei Vice President for Southern Region Yang Chen said Huawei will continue supporting Zambia in terms of ICT’s and support its realizing of the 8 th National Development Plan.
He added that Huawei is fulfilling its commitments, to train over 5000 students and 50 instructors by the year 2025.