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Celebrating Global Talent: The 10th Huawei ICT Competition Awards

On June 9, 2026, Shenzhen hosted the grand finale of the 10th Huawei ICT Competition, an event that has grown impressively over the years. This year's competition engaged over 220,000 university students and educators from more than 2,000 institutions across 100 countries. The immense scale of participation marked a record-breaking chapter in the competition’s history.

The journey consisted of rigorous national and regional rounds that ultimately led to 177 teams from 49 countries advancing to this global final. During the Closing Awards Ceremony, Ritchie (Honghua) Peng, the President of Huawei's ICT Strategy Business Development Department, emphasized the competition's role in highlighting the importance of technology for positive social and environmental change. He articulated that the event not only showcased technical expertise but also reinforced the value of education through competitive platforms, which effectively address real-world challenges.

Additionally, Peng announced the introduction of the Ascend AI Operator Development Track for the next edition to further engage young developers with contemporary technology via task-driven challenges. This new element promises to enhance the educational experience, merging competition with hands-on learning.

Dr. Shafika Isaacs, Director a.i. at the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education, acknowledged the fruitful collaboration with Huawei, praising participants for their exceptional performances. She stressed the necessity for collaboration between governments, the private sector, academia, and international organizations for the future of AI education. Both UNESCO and Huawei have been actively involved in initiatives designed to bolster ICT education and capacity-building programs in various regions, including the Arab countries and Central Asia, showcasing their commitment to nurturing a tech-ready workforce.

The 10th Huawei ICT Competition culminated in grand awards across several categories. The standout teams this year included:

• - Practice Competition - Network Track: Teams from Algeria, Brazil, Nigeria, and Shenzhen Polytechnic University.
• - Practice Competition - Cloud Track: Participants from Egypt, Algeria, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, and Kenya.
• - Practice Competition - Computing Track: Teams from Egypt, Henan Institute of Economics and Trade, Dominican Republic, and Algeria.
• - Practice Competition - Ascend AI Track: Shenzhen Polytechnic University.
• - Innovation Competition Grand Prize: Wuhan University of Technology, Ahmadu Bello University, National University of Singapore, and Fujian Normal University.
• - Programming Competition Grand Prize: Wuhan Vocational College of Software and Engineering.

The ceremony also recognized exceptional contributions with special awards including the Women in Tech Award which went to seven all-female teams from various countries, and the Green Development Award awarded to teams from Ghana and China. Furthermore, ten exceptional students were awarded Fast Passes to the Huawei Future Business Leader Track, while 16 outstanding instructors received the Most Valuable Instructor Award, recognizing their efforts in mentoring the next generation of tech-savvy leaders.

The event also underscored the growing demand for skilled professionals in AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics. To address this, Huawei hosted the AI Accelerating Education Transformation Summit, launching the ICT Academy AI Course Solution and releasing an insightful ICT Skills Development Report, tailored to optimize educational outcomes in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

As we reflect on the remarkable achievements of this year's Huawei ICT Competition, it becomes evident that it not only cultivates individual talent but also fosters a collaborative spirit. Participants have bridged cultural and technical divides, exemplifying the transformative power of technology and education in shaping future leaders in the digital economy.