Two teams of nine Jamaicans were among 132 students from 16 Latin American and Caribbean countries who participated in the 2024 Huawei Seeds for the Future Program, held in El Salvador. The Jamaican students hailed from The University of the West Indies, Mona (UWI Mona), and The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja). This initiative aims to nurture local talent, share knowledge, and raise awareness about the ICT sector while promoting the development of a digital community.

The program featured a range of enriching activities, including a global village where participants showcased their cultures, presentations by industry experts and government officials, exploration of El Salvador, and the Tech4Good competition, where teams developed innovative solutions for local challenges. Both Jamaican teams advanced to the top 11 in the competition, with the UWI Mona team securing 3rd place and the Most Innovative Award for their project, Electromat—an alternative energy source that generates power from mechanical stress.

The UWI Mona team consisted of Daniel Palmer (BSc Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering), Serene Shirley (BSc Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering), Somesh Sharma (BSc Medical Physics, pending, Department of Physics), Aaliyah Reid (BSc Computer Science, pending, Department of Computing), and Rachelle Williams (BSc Electronics and Computer Science, pending, Department of Physics). Reflecting on her experience, Aaliyah shared, “Participating in Huawei’s Seeds for the Future Program was an immensely enriching experience. The cultural exchange, insightful tech workshops, and the drive of the Tech4Good competition deepened my appreciation for the role of technology in improving our world, leaving me more confident to tackle future challenges.”

These achievements underscore Jamaica's exceptional talent and its global recognition for innovative potential. Somesh Sharma expressed his pride, stating, “Representing UWI and Jamaica with my team was an incredible honor, and we were thrilled to win two awards for our efforts. The experience also allowed us to connect with inspiring individuals and showcase our nation's talent on a global platform.”

Rachelle Williams stood out as the only Jamaican to receive a Letter of Intent for Engagement and was appointed as a Campus Ambassador for Huawei. In this role, she will collaborate closely with the Huawei team to promote events and internship opportunities at UWI. Her responsibilities will include highlighting Huawei's events, products, and services to her peers through social media, word-of-mouth, and campus activities, as well as fostering connections with students, faculty, and campus organizations to enhance visibility and engagement. Celebrating her achievement, Rachelle remarked, “Being part of the 2024 Huawei Seeds for the Future Program was an inspiring and transformative experience. It allowed me to connect with talented individuals across the region, learn from industry leaders, and explore innovative solutions for real-world challenges.”

Photo caption (L-R):  The UWI team comprising of (L-R) Daniel Palmer (BSc Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering), Serene Shirley (BSc Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering), Somesh Sharma (BSc Medical Physics, pending, Department of Physics), Aaliyah Reid (BSc Computer Science, pending, Department of Computing), and Rachelle Williams (BSc Electronics and Computer Science, pending, Department of Physics) at the Seeds for the Future Program closing ceremony in El Salvador.