Huawei launches new online AI academy in Singapore

With the launch of Huawei’s ‘virtual’ academy in Singapore, the tech company looks to certify 1000 engineers by the end of next year.

Available entirely online, prospective students will be able to take up online courses in ‘hot topics’ such as artificial intelligence, 5G, cloud computing, and big data.

Students will also get practical experience by having the opportunity to work in its stimulation labs on AI development. In addition, the company has also announced that Cyber Range training courses would be made available in the next quarter to enable small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats.

This initiative was shared on Tuesday at its Huawei Ecosystem Summit held online, this Virtual AI Academy will be aligned with the vendor’s local AI lab and provides courses designed to train and certify users from all educational backgrounds, including ICT novices and professionals.

As Singapore ramps up its efforts to create a digital economy, AI will likely play a big part. The government has introduced initiatives to train 12,000 people in artificial intelligence skillsets, including industry professionals and secondary school students.

In preparation for their AI Academy, Huawei worked during Singapore’s partial lockdown to enroll over 300 local ICT professionals in the virtual academy as a trial. It has also established partnerships with educational institutions such as Nanyang Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, and the Singapore University of Social Sciences to boost their students’ digital skills.

The Chinese tech giant also shared that it would be investing SG$5 million ($3.58 million) in Singapore to boost joint product development efforts with its local partners. The company would aim to focus on AI as part of its overall growth strategy through aligning its services for enterprises across the various sectors such as government, finance, transportation, and internet service providers.

Huawei’s Singapore managing director of enterprise business group, Aaron Wang, said in media interviews online: “Organizations will need to redesign their services to adapt to the new normal. Digital technology powered by 5G, cloud, and AI will be pivotal in this transformation. We will focus on connectivity and computing in Singapore by building an open ecosystem with our partners, as we believe it will empower digital transformation for numerous industries and help our ecosystem partners boost immunity eventually.”

During the event, Huawei also unveiled its Asia-Pacific Ascend Partner Program, which it said would assist with Singapore’s AI push. The programme comprises Independent Software Vendor AI Collaboration, Institute of Higher Learning AI Talent Cultivation, and Government AI Industry Development.

Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. The company has more than 194,000 employees, operating in more than 170 countries and regions.