TU Dublin students learn about cutting-edge innovation and culture at international summer school in China
9th October 2024: A group of aspiring young students recently returned from an enriching Technical Summer School in China, where they gained experience in, and knowledge on the latest technological advancements, global innovation, and cultural exchange.
The summer school project, in collaboration with Chinese universities, was organised by the School of Computer Science in TU Dublin, in association with Huawei Ireland. Each of four female students who participated received a €1,000 scholarship from Huawei to support their study in China and further studies in STEM subjects. The aim of the project is to provide the students with a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary experience.
Visiting the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) and the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) the programme included both STEM study (Robots, AI and Future Technology at UESTC and Materials for Renewable Energy at BIT), and Chinese language and culture courses. The students were also had the chance for cultural visits in Beijing and Chengdu.
Speaking about the programme, Baolin Liang, PR Manager, Huawei Ireland said: "We believe that exposing students to global perspectives in technology is key to shaping the innovators of tomorrow. This experience not only enhances technical skills but also encourages students to think beyond borders and collaborate on a global scale. I spoke to the students and they all found that this programme was very beneficial and particularly enjoyed learning about China and its culture."
One of the students who travelled to Beijing, Gráinne Bannister, added: “As a third-year undergraduate student, I was extremely happy to learn about career opportunities and particularly the career experience of a female expert in Huawei. I feel that I really benefited from the visit to the Beijing Institute of Technology and am now believe there is a strong future for female students who have concentrated on STEM subjects.”
Last week, the students visited Huawei’s office in Dublin where they attended information sessions to learn about recent developments and trends in technology, and they also received some career development advice from the experts.
About Huawei Ireland
Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. With integrated solutions across four key domains – telecom networks, IT, smart devices, and cloud services – Huawei is committed to bringing digital to every person, home, and organisation for a fully connected, intelligent world. Huawei employs over 207,000 people in 170 countries across the globe.
Since its arrival in 2004, Huawei’s activities in Ireland have developed from supplying mobile phones, building Ireland’s first national fixed wireless network, providing fibre optic broadband technologies, to being at the forefront of the current 5G digital transformation. Huawei’s activities globally, and in Ireland, are underpinned by a core focus on R&D. Indeed, the EU ranks Huawei among the top five investors in R&D in the world3. Annually Huawei spends 10%-15% of its global sales revenue on R&D, in 2023 its total R&D spending reached €21.2 billion, representing 23.4% of total revenue. In Ireland, Huawei has invested over €250 million in its Irish R&D efforts between 2019-2023. Along with the positive impact of Huawei’s R&D activities, Ireland’s economy derives significant economic benefits from Huawei’s operational expenditure and exchequer contributions, with a total annualised economic contribution of over €800 million and will contribute €4.5 billion in economic value to Ireland between now and 2030 according to a recent Amárach report. Huawei’s Irish operations employ 543 individuals, and support the employment of a further 6,100 individuals through indirect and induced effects from its activities.
Huawei works with several Irish third-level institutions, including Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, Tu Dublin, University of Limerick, University College Dublin, and University College Cork, funding vital Irish research into video, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. The company also partners key Science Foundation Ireland centres such as Connect, Insight, Adapt and Lero.