Huawei has awarded scholarships to students from five universities on the island with the idea of boosting the development of ICT talent in Cyprus.

The scholarships were awarded at a ceremony earlier this month, which saw 30 students from the University of Cyprus, the European University, the University of Nicosia, Frederick University and the Cyprus University of Technology receive funding.

The selection process was carried out with the participation of a representative from the education ministry, the innovation deputy ministry and a professor from each university.

It is the fourth consecutive year, Huawei has invested in the future of young people by providing scholarships to students from public and private universities in Cyprus.

The initiative aims to cultivate local talent in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), offering opportunities for young people to develop their skills and contribute to shaping the country’s digital future.

“Here in Cyprus, Huawei has been running this programme, attracting the participation of over 120 university students. Having attended the award ceremony for three consecutive years, I am delighted to see an increasing number of Cypriot students benefiting from this initiative,” Chinese ambassador Liu Yantao (pictured below) said.

Through the 54 years of diplomatic relations between China and Cyprus the two countries have supported each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, such as national reunification, he added.

“We celebrate the achievements of the students awarded, we praise the academic excellence, ambition and values at the heart of our efforts to nurture the next generation of leaders and innovators. We reward not only the academic achievements of students, but also the suggestion that they will have a lasting impact on the future of our society,” permanent secretary at the education ministry George Panteli said on behalf of minister Athena Michaelidou.

His counterpart at the deputy ministry of research and innovation George Komodromos said such initiatives align with Cyprus’ national vision.

“By providing students with the necessary tools, knowledge and financial support, we collectively support the new generation in the field of ICT,” he said.

Huawei acknowledges the need to develop and prioritise the ICT as the industry is constantly evolving, creating an increasing demand for skilled professionals, and through these scholarships, it attempts to encourage more students to pursue careers in the technology sector, bridging the skills gap and enhancing the employability of young graduates, Huawei country manager for Cyprus Elias Yiannilas said.
Since 2021, more than 120 people have received scholarships, while the total amount for scholarships in 2024 was €30,000.

“We continuously invest in the future through education and innovation. The delivery of these scholarships is a practical demonstration of our commitment to support the youth of Cyprus. We seek to foster talent and help shape a more innovative and digital future for our country,” Yiannilas added.

“The Seeds for the Future programme is helping cultivate a global forest of digital talent. I am confident that by deepening government-business and university-business cooperation, Huawei’s initiative will continue to help Cyprus nurture more digital talents,” Yantao concluded.