Huawei Thailand, a leading global ICT company and enabler of digital transformation, has joined the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s “Girls in ICT” initiative, showcasing its commitment to driving digital inclusion and women’s empowerment in the digital era through various training sessions, seminars, and knowledge transfer.
The 2023 International Girls in ICT Day focused on the crucial need for more women in the ICT sector and followed the theme of “Digital Skills for Life!". According to recent data from the ITU, women's internet usage globally amounts to 57%, compared to men's 62%. Without access to the internet or feeling safe online, women cannot develop digital skills and participate in future digital spaces. This ultimately limits their ability to pursue careers in various STEM fields, impeding their full potential.
In Thailand, the Girls in ICT Day initiative encourages girls and young women to pursue STEM subjects, improve their digital skills, and raise awareness about the meaningful and safe use of ICT. The initiative is organised by the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC), the Ministry of
Digital Economy and Society (MDES), and the ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific through a series of training programs. Huawei will be a significant partner in this initiative, offering various activities and training sessions to bridge three digital gaps.
According to Mr. Woragarn Likhitdechasakdi, CTO of Huawei Thailand Carrier Business Group, the first task is to “close the skill and knowledge gap”. Huawei believes that raising awareness is the first step towards unpacking gender-related factors impacting digital inclusion. Therefore, Huawei will offer ICT training classes on topics such as networks, 5G, and cloud, as well as development sessions, hands-on practice, and an innovation exhibition hall visit. To further promote more girls to step into STEM careers, Huawei will organise career seminars for passionate students with veterans in the ICT sector and offer internship opportunities if candidates are qualified.
The second task is to “close the digital infrastructure and connectivity gap”. As a technology company, Huawei firmly believes that ICT infrastructure is vital to ensure equal access to the internet. Therefore, Huawei is working with partners to improve last-mile internet access that can reach more households. Huawei has developed a Giga village concept that utilises fibre and 5G coverage to reach rural households together with FWA. In 2021, Huawei, NBTC, and ITU collaborated on the Giga
Thailand whitepaper under the theme “Digital Infrastructure Benefits Everyone.” Huawei will continue working in this direction with the aim of enabling the ITU Connect 2030 Agenda.
The third and final task is to “close the application gap”. Internet connectivity is not useful without good applications. Huawei is currently developing remote education solutions and 5G telehealth and telemedicine applications under the USO and other projects to provide social resources to girls and boys in rural areas thanks to better digital connectivity. For this aspect, Huawei will invite girls from the “Girls in ICT 2023” project to experience these applications during the showcase.
Huawei is committed to supporting more girls and young women to understand the benefits of ICT in enabling their careers and aspirations. In the digital era, the engagement and perspectives of women will continue to create more possibilities for all, leading to more diversity, sustainable development, economic growth, and more liberty and stability.
In 2022, Huawei collaborated with ITU to organise the "Walk into ICT Industry" event to promote the capacity of youth to understand the latest technology trends and applications. Over 20 students from all over Thailand were invited to visit the Huawei Customer Solution Innovation & Integration Experience Centre (CSIC) in Bangkok and receive digital skills training provided by Huawei’s ASEAN Academy.
In collaboration with Thailand's National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) and other partners, Huawei organised the first-ever "Women: Thailand Cyber Top Talent 2022" competition, which offered a total of over 200,000 THB in prize money to the winners. The competition aimed to raise awareness of cybersecurity, empower women, and increase the number of cybersecurity professionals in the ICT industry. These efforts align with Huawei's mission to "Grow in Thailand, Contribute to Thailand" and to help drive the country towards a future digital and intelligent era in which everyone is fully connected.
