Huawei, a global leader in ICT and telecommunication solution provider, has commissioned an ICT equipment in Ahmadu Bello University installed to train students to acquire hands-on skills to bridge the digital divide in intermediate and advanced technologies in routing, switching and security. 

The equipment, donated by the telecommunication company, comprised three Huawei AR6280 routers, five Huawei S5720 switches as well as cables and other accessories for designing physical and logical topologies. 

Commissioning the ICT facility at the University’s NLG Engineering Laboratory today, the Director of Enterprise Delivery and Service, Huawei Technologies Nigeria Ltd, Ms. Melissa Chen Yangfeng, traced the relationship between the University and the global ICT firm to 2018 when they signed a memorandum of understanding for a partnership on Huawei Authorized Information Network Academy (HAINA) programme and other Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. 

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabir Bala, appreciated the gesture by the telecommunication giant since the MoU was signed in 2018, and expressed satisfaction with the outcomes so far recorded. 
On Huawei Authorized Information Network Academy (HAINA) programme, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that there were over 800 enrollments and 350 certified in different certificate tracks. 

Prof. Bala explained that Fahad Danladi, one of the students from the institution, for example, had recently acquired the highest-level certification HCIE (Huawei Certified ICT Expert) and would serve the mandatory NYSC with Huawei. 
He also said that the University had four instructors for the HCIE and HCIP Certification training with Engr. Bashir Sani and Dr. Bashir Sadiq regarded as some of the best in the country. 
The Vice-Chancellor said that the successes recorded so far was due to the commitment of the instructors as well as dedication and interest by students, and that the institution would continue to support Huawei ICT Academy. 
While assuring the Company that the donated equipment would be used judiciously, Prof. Bala was of the belief that creating and maintaining a strong ICT ecosystem could enhance discovery of ICT talents, skills acquisition, opportunities and promote ICT industry certifications. 
Some of the personalities present at the commissioning ceremony included Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Danladi A. Ameh; Ag. Director, Iya Abubakar Institute of Information and Communication Technology (IAIICT), Prof. Balarabe Junaidu Sahalu; Director, Directorate of University Advancement, Prof. Ahmed D. Ibrahim; Dean of Engineering, Prof. Abubakar Ismail and a host of others from Directorate of University Advancement, Directorate of Academic Planning and Monitoring as well as Faculty of Engineering.   
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
27th November, 2020