ICT and telecommunications firm Huawei, in association with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), have launched a Huawei Authorised Information and Network Academy (HAINA) at the University's Soshanguve Campus.

This is the first installation of HAINA, the tech company's global ICT technology education program, in the Eastern and Southern Africa region.

"Adopting the increasingly popular university-enterprise cooperation model, the program plans to introduce Huawei's cooperation with universities in course development, training and certification," reads a statement issued by the technology company.

Partners say more intense cooperation between industry and academic institutions is a fast-growing trend that will help meet the need for ICT professionals.

HAINA is kitted out with equipment, software and ICT certification courses, and the University will provide educators to deliver content to learners.

Initially the program will include courses to cover networking or IP certifications, and this will then be expanded to other ICT technologies such as WLAN, security, storage and cloud computing.

The two partners says training and certification will be provided to instructors for each course direction and courses will be customised according to the university's requirements.

Organisers have confirmed TUT HAINA-trained graduates will be given first priority for internships and employment opportunities at Huawei and its partner companies.

ICT skills development

Professor Maredi Mphahlele, Executive Dean of the ICT Faculty at the Tshwane University of Technology welcomed the new partnership. "TUT is pleased to partner with Huawei for this program, to assist our senior students with technological challenges and help them gain competitive skills so that they benefit the community,"

Alex Du, Managing Director of Huawei Enterprise South Africa, said the company is honoured to collaborate with TUT to equip students with up-to-date ICT knowledge and skills that will nurture the next generation of ICT professionals in South Africa.

"Huawei believes that knowledge will create opportunities, and education is of key importance to support effective and sustainable growth."

The HAINA program has been extended to 130-plus universities globally.

The company aims to launch its HAINA program at eight more universities in South Africa by the end of 2016.