Zim students take top honors at ICT competition in China

By Beaven Dhliwayo

ZIMBABWEAN students won third prize at the Huawei Global ICT competition concluded recently at Huawei Headquarters in Shenzhen, China.

The winning team comprised Panashe Marisa a student from Telone Centre for Learning, Vimbai Matonhodze, and Tinashe Mahweku students from the University of Zimbabwe.
The first to be held in person since 2019, the event’s culmination was a competition between finalists in 146 teams from 36 countries. Before the final, more than 120,000 students from more than 2,000 universities in 74 countries around the world took part in the ICT competition.
This is the second time Zimbabwe is represented at the prestigious Huawei competition after securing the first place in the Sub-Saharan semi-finals which took place in February this year.
Huawei Director of Public Relations under the Southern Region, Jane Zhang said the Zimbabwean team displayed exceptional capabilities in the network category during semi finals and that she was optimistic they will carry the day.

The winning team comprised Panashe Marisa a student from Telone Centre for Learning, Vimbai Matonhodze, and Tinashe Mahweku students from the University of Zimbabwe.

An instructor from the University of Zimbabwe who accompanied the students, Bernard Mapako, said participation at global level is a clear testimony that Zimbabwe can be built by its people.
“Zimbabwe can leverage to Huawei’s active participation in the open-source community and take advantage of free operating system, Open Euler, and also free applications for example OpenGaus,” he said.
Marisa thanked Huawei for this opportunity to participate on the competition at a global level.
“It was a great chance to broaden my horizons and gain new perspectives. I was so excited in learning new culture, customs and traditions. The trip to China was a dream come true,” said Marisa.
Matonhodze said she was a bit nervous since she was the only girl who managed to participate in the global competition and traveling to a foreign country.
“I am so excited to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. I believe this competition helped me to grow both personally and professionally,” she said.
The Zimbabwe winning team had a chance to visit Huawei R & D centre in Beijing where the closing ceremony was held and graced by the top officials including Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Fredrick Shava.
The Minister lauded the work being done by Huawei and emphasized the need for more investments in research and development and encouraged students to consider pursuing careers in technology.
The Huawei ICT Competition aims to provide students with a platform to compete healthily and exchange ideas, thus enhancing their ICT knowledge and practical skills as well as increasing their ability to innovate by using new technologies and platforms.