UNESCO-Huawei AI Training Program for University Lecturers in Eastern Africa

In an impactful effort to enhance education and digital competencies across Africa, UNESCO and Huawei have revealed a collaboration aimed at delivering extensive training on artificial intelligence (AI) technology to university lecturers in Eastern Africa throughout 2024.

This program is set to be instrumental in arming educators with the essential knowledge to incorporate AI into their curricula, thus readying students for the swiftly changing digital marketplace.

Training Program Overview

The training initiative led by UNESCO and Huawei seeks to strengthen the skills of university lecturers in Eastern Africa. This program's curriculum will cover a wide array of subjects, such as AI basics, machine learning, and the practical implementation of AI across different industries.

Through this training, UNESCO and Huawei aspire to close the knowledge gap and encourage the ethical advancement and utilization of AI, especially in developing areas.

Huawei, a global technology powerhouse, will contribute the technical know-how and resources essential for the training program. Concurrently, UNESCO will oversee the program's execution, selecting the universities and lecturers who will take part.

This joint endeavor highlights the dedication of both organizations to promoting digital education and driving sustainable development through technological innovation.

Catch up more about this program and future development at UNESCO Artificial Intelligence Training Program for Africans

Goals and Objectives

The UNESCO-Huawei training initiative aims to equip university lecturers with the expertise required to teach AI-related courses proficiently. By preparing students for the digital economy's demands, the program ensures they are knowledgeable about the latest technological developments and well-prepared to join the global workforce.

Additionally, the program aligns with UNESCO's broader efforts to build capacity in AI and promote its ethical use.

By focusing on education systems in Eastern Africa, UNESCO and Huawei are addressing the region's need for skilling, reskilling, and upskilling to match 21st-century competencies. This initiative also supports research capacities and fosters partnerships that are essential for sustainable development.

The Eastern Africa Sub-Regional Forum on AI

In 2024, UNESCO's Eastern Africa Sub-Regional Forum on AI will address the pressing need for regional education systems to evolve in response to AI and emerging technologies.

The forum will investigate diverse areas, emphasizing the importance of skilling, reskilling, and upskilling educators to align with 21st-century competencies.

This gathering will expand upon UNESCO's current directives on AI in education and arts education, offering a thorough framework for incorporating AI into the educational realm.

Historical Context and Continued Collaboration

The partnership between UNESCO and Huawei is not a recent development. Since 2019, both organizations have been working together to enhance digital skills and AI capabilities in Eastern Africa.

The collaboration began with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving teacher training, AI and cloud computing in education, digital skills research, and stakeholder engagement.

Huawei's ICT Academy has played a pivotal role in this initiative, offering AI training courses to university students and helping to build a robust foundation for digital education in the region.

Furthermore, Huawei has been involved in the Campus UNESCO program since 2021, which engages youth aged 14-18 on major UNESCO themes such as education and AI.

These sessions cover critical topics like the role of technology in education, AI trends, and ethics, thereby fostering a generation of digitally literate and ethically conscious individuals.

Supporting Sustainable Development Goals

The UNESCO-Huawei partnership is firmly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Huawei's digital inclusion initiative, TECH4ALL.

By focusing on enhancing digital skills and AI capabilities in Eastern Africa, the partnership aims to contribute to the global effort to reduce inequalities and promote inclusive, quality education for all. The initiative reflects a shared vision of leveraging technology to drive sustainable development and create opportunities for communities worldwide.

The joint initiative by UNESCO and Huawei to offer AI training for university lecturers in Eastern Africa represents a significant step toward enhancing digital education and promoting sustainable development.

Educators will gain a pool of AI knowledge and skills needed to prepare students for the digital economy and enable them to contribute effectively to a technologically advanced global workforce.

Developing AI capabilities, promoting its ethical application, and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals through innovative and inclusive approaches is pertinent for African technological advancement.