Highlights of the executive educational technology visit in China
Published: 02:07 PM,Jul 08,2024 | EDITED : 06:07 PM,Jul 08,2024
As part of a delegation from Oman, nominated by the Ministry of Higher Education, Innovation, and Research and represented by about 20 senior-level academic leaders (Deans, Vice Chancellors, and Executives), I had the privilege to attend a 1-week visit (from June 29th to July 4th) to Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen, China, to explore cutting-edge educational technologies and explore areas of collaboration and cooperation with the specific aim of supporting Oman's digitalisation, bridging the digital gap, and creating a platform to support the Oman Vision 2040.
The executive trip was not only an eye-opener for what and how educational technology has advanced but also a great opportunity to find potential areas of collaboration to enhance Oman’s education sector. My article this week is the highlight of the executive educational technology visit in China.
The invitation to Shenzhen, the vibrant city blended with tradition and modernity and also known as China's Silicon Valley, was arranged by Huawei, a leading global ICT solution provider. The Omani delegation, nominated and selected by the Ministry of Higher Education, Innovation, and Research, was headed by Dr Maryam Bal Arab Mohamed al Nabhani, the General Directorate of Private Universities and Colleges, with the attendance of the Dr Ali Saud Ali al Bimani, Vice Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology, along with 20 senior-level representatives from higher education’s private and public institutions.
The visit explored educational and innovation technologies provided by Huawei, where traditional education is complemented by smart technologies utilising artificial intelligence via cloud solutions and the Internet of Things (IoT) — truly comprehensive!
The delegation from Oman had the opportunity to visit multiple exhibitions, centres, and innovation labs that include Huawei’s Shenzhen Head Quarters, Education Industry Exhibition Hall, F5G Optix Innovation Lab, Global Flagship Store, Digital Power HQ, Cyber Security Innovation Labs, Research & Development Campus, Training Center Library, Planck Cloud Exhibition, 5.5G Exhibition, Dongguan University of Technology, Polytechnic University, Shenzen University, and later concluded with the ICT Talent Development Forum, where discussion on ICT talent development and areas of engagement with Huawei was discussed and presented during a dedicated full-day event organized for the delegation. Best practices, experience, and knowledge sharing among the Omani and Chinese universities were shared during the panel discussion session.
Huawei overall has a presence in over 170 countries, comprising 207,000 employees, of whom approximately 55% work in research and development. Furthermore, Huawei has a presence in 500+ universities and 60+ science research institutes. Huawei has generated a revenue of US$ 100 billion (in 2023 itself) and is today considered 4th in global research and development investment.
Over the past 21 years (since 2003) in Oman, Huawei has set up its first transmission backbone network and continues to progress to date by having recently signed a national cloud contract that provides the latest global technologies and expertise and enhances the security and hosting of local data for various sectors that include government institutions and companies, including the financial sector, energy, health, and others.
Huawei’s contribution to the education sector includes, but is not limited to, smart classrooms, AI-powered learning platforms, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) solutions, cloud-based learning platforms, innovation and research, 5G connectivity, ICT talent development programmes, and digital transformation initiatives, to name a few.
What I found most intriguing is Huawei’s dedication to research and development centres. These centres are the heart of Huawei’s innovation, where cutting-edge technologies are developed and refined. I see that leveraging these technologies would truly let students receive a high-quality, future-ready education.
It was truly an amazing experience and an inspiring journey into the future of education. I was honoured to learn about the rapid technological advancements China has made over the past few decades. The ability to learn, explore, and touch the latest technology in smart campus education — 5.5G, F5G, digital power, intelligent automotive, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud solutions, and the like — was also immersive.
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's vision for education is comprehensive, forward-thinking, and aimed at creating a world-class education system for Oman that is inclusive, innovative, and aligned with the needs of the 21st century.
The potential strategic collaboration between Oman and Huawei promises a fruitful partnership that will drive educational excellence and innovation for years to come. We look forward to further discussing, supporting, and seeing how we can integrate some of the practical learning into the education setting in Oman so as to develop Oman’s vision while enhancing cooperation and collaboration internationally as well. Until then, let’s remain positive and continue serving Oman with technology!
The executive trip was not only an eye-opener for what and how educational technology has advanced but also a great opportunity to find potential areas of collaboration to enhance Oman’s education sector. My article this week is the highlight of the executive educational technology visit in China.
The invitation to Shenzhen, the vibrant city blended with tradition and modernity and also known as China's Silicon Valley, was arranged by Huawei, a leading global ICT solution provider. The Omani delegation, nominated and selected by the Ministry of Higher Education, Innovation, and Research, was headed by Dr Maryam Bal Arab Mohamed al Nabhani, the General Directorate of Private Universities and Colleges, with the attendance of the Dr Ali Saud Ali al Bimani, Vice Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology, along with 20 senior-level representatives from higher education’s private and public institutions.
The visit explored educational and innovation technologies provided by Huawei, where traditional education is complemented by smart technologies utilising artificial intelligence via cloud solutions and the Internet of Things (IoT) — truly comprehensive!
The delegation from Oman had the opportunity to visit multiple exhibitions, centres, and innovation labs that include Huawei’s Shenzhen Head Quarters, Education Industry Exhibition Hall, F5G Optix Innovation Lab, Global Flagship Store, Digital Power HQ, Cyber Security Innovation Labs, Research & Development Campus, Training Center Library, Planck Cloud Exhibition, 5.5G Exhibition, Dongguan University of Technology, Polytechnic University, Shenzen University, and later concluded with the ICT Talent Development Forum, where discussion on ICT talent development and areas of engagement with Huawei was discussed and presented during a dedicated full-day event organized for the delegation. Best practices, experience, and knowledge sharing among the Omani and Chinese universities were shared during the panel discussion session.
Huawei overall has a presence in over 170 countries, comprising 207,000 employees, of whom approximately 55% work in research and development. Furthermore, Huawei has a presence in 500+ universities and 60+ science research institutes. Huawei has generated a revenue of US$ 100 billion (in 2023 itself) and is today considered 4th in global research and development investment.
Over the past 21 years (since 2003) in Oman, Huawei has set up its first transmission backbone network and continues to progress to date by having recently signed a national cloud contract that provides the latest global technologies and expertise and enhances the security and hosting of local data for various sectors that include government institutions and companies, including the financial sector, energy, health, and others.
Huawei’s contribution to the education sector includes, but is not limited to, smart classrooms, AI-powered learning platforms, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) solutions, cloud-based learning platforms, innovation and research, 5G connectivity, ICT talent development programmes, and digital transformation initiatives, to name a few.
What I found most intriguing is Huawei’s dedication to research and development centres. These centres are the heart of Huawei’s innovation, where cutting-edge technologies are developed and refined. I see that leveraging these technologies would truly let students receive a high-quality, future-ready education.
It was truly an amazing experience and an inspiring journey into the future of education. I was honoured to learn about the rapid technological advancements China has made over the past few decades. The ability to learn, explore, and touch the latest technology in smart campus education — 5.5G, F5G, digital power, intelligent automotive, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud solutions, and the like — was also immersive.
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's vision for education is comprehensive, forward-thinking, and aimed at creating a world-class education system for Oman that is inclusive, innovative, and aligned with the needs of the 21st century.
The potential strategic collaboration between Oman and Huawei promises a fruitful partnership that will drive educational excellence and innovation for years to come. We look forward to further discussing, supporting, and seeing how we can integrate some of the practical learning into the education setting in Oman so as to develop Oman’s vision while enhancing cooperation and collaboration internationally as well. Until then, let’s remain positive and continue serving Oman with technology!