In March 2018, The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Huawei, one of the world's largest information and communication technology (ICT) solution providers, to partner on the Huawei "Seeds for the Future" Programme, a cultural exchange and training opportunity for top ICT students at the University level.

Emerging from this collaborative agreement, Shivanna Samrath, Lorrenzo Francis, Richard-Michael Mohammed, Ricardo Smith, and Cassandra Bascombe of UTT's Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Computer Engineering travelled to Huawei's headquarters in Shenzhen, China for a two weeks period to participate in the programme, which is designed to help bridge the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge.

At the Opening Ceremony of the programme, the students, much to their delight met with Dr. The Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and members of his official contingent on May 19th, 2018. At this event, the Prime Minister briefly addressed the students as he acknowledged the importance of ICT to the future of Trinidad and Tobago and further advised the visiting students to fully utilise the excellent opportunity afforded to them by Huawei.

As part of the cultural exchange, the students treated the visiting contingent to performances, which consisted of - a traditional Chinese song they learnt while in Beijing and a local rendition of the calypso, "Portrait of Trinidad" by the Mighty Sniper, with one of the students accompanying by steelpan. The performances were well received by the audience.

The students also visited the Great Wall of China, as they continue to learn and experience the Chinese culture. They are expected to return on May 27^th, 2018.  

Back Row (L – R): Mr. Zhaobo, General Manager, Huawei Technologies (T&T) Ltd; H.E. Song Yumin, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of T&T; Mr. Stephen Ma, CEO Huawei Caribbean region; Mr. Detlef Eckert, Huawei Global Government Affairs Dept; Hon. Dennis Moses, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs; Dr. The Hon. Keith Christopher Rowley, Prime Minister; Hon. Stuart Young, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Attorney General and Legal Affairs; Mr. Steve Steve Yi Xiang, Huawei Member of the Supervisory Board and President of the Regions' Management Department; H.E. Steven Seedansingh Jr., Ambassador of the Republic of T&T to China; Commodore Hayden Pritchard, T&T Chief of Defence Staff; Mr. Wang Chunxiang, Vice President of Latin America and Caribbean Public Affairs and Communication.

Front Row (L –R): Students of the Seeds for the Future from The University of the West Indies and The University of Trinidad and Tobago.