10th Huawei ICT Competition Crowns Asia Pacific Champions at ASEAN Headquarters
TLDR:
- 8,600+ students from 14 countries competed in the 10th Huawei ICT Competition APAC Finals in Jakarta
- National University of Singapore (Innovation), Vietnam (Computing & Cloud), and Philippines (Network) took Grand Prizes
- Malaysia’s IMU University won 1st Prize in the Innovation Track
- 16 teams advance to global finals in Shenzhen this June
- Huawei, ASEAN Foundation, and ITU signed AI talent development collaboration at the ceremony
A Decade of Digital Talent Competition
The 10th Huawei ICT Competition APAC Finals and Awards Ceremony wrapped up at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia on May 14, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the region’s digital talent development journey. Organized by Huawei and co-hosted by the ASEAN Foundation, the competition brought together over 8,600 students from 14 countries and regions to battle it out across multiple tracks. After rigorous selection rounds, more than 160 finalists from 13 countries earned their spot at the APAC Finals, competing in both the Practice Competition (spanning cloud, network, and computing tracks) and the Innovation Competition.
The ceremony drew an impressive lineup of dignitaries, including ASEAN Secretary-General H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, who delivered opening remarks championing the competition’s role in nurturing digital talent across Southeast Asia. In his speech, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn stated, “Empowering young talents is the source of our region’s creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit,” directly linking the initiative to the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2030 framework that guides the region’s digital transformation journey.
Other notable attendees included Dr. Fauzan Adziman from Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Dr. Boni Pudjianto from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Sarah Al Bakri Devadason (Chair of the ASEAN Foundation Board of Trustees and Malaysia’s Permanent Representative to ASEAN), H.E. Wang Qing (China’s Ambassador to ASEAN), and Kishore Babu Yerraballa representing the ITU for Southeast Asia.
Innovation Takes Center Stage
The competition’s Innovation Competition saw National University of Singapore clinch the Grand Prize for their project that impressed judges with both its commercial viability and social impact. The Singaporean team’s work demonstrated how technological innovation can address real-world challenges while remaining scalable and commercially sustainable—a combination that stood out among all entries.
In the Practice Competition, Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology proved their dominance by securing top honors in two major tracks: Computing and Cloud. Their consistent performance across technical disciplines reflects Vietnam’s growing emphasis on producing industry-ready ICT graduates. Meanwhile, the Philippines’ Bulacan State University captured the Grand Prize in the Network Track, showcasing strong fundamentals in networking infrastructure and design.
Representing Malaysia, IMU University (International Medical University) claimed first prize in the Innovation Track, demonstrating that Malaysian students are actively contributing to the region’s innovation ecosystem. A total of 16 outstanding teams—including all Grand Prize winners—have earned their tickets to represent the Asia Pacific region at the global finals in Shenzhen this June, where they will compete against more than 100 teams from around the world.
AI Talent Development Takes Priority
Beyond the competition results, Huawei Asia Pacific used the occasion to announce significant initiatives aimed at accelerating AI talent development across the region. Mr. Peter Pan, Vice President of Huawei Asia Pacific, reflected on the competition’s decade-long journey: “As we mark this 10th edition, we look forward to even greater impact: continuing to inspire innovation, encourage collaboration, and support the next generation of digital talent in our region.”
One major announcement was the overseas launch of the white paper “ICT Job Roles and Skills in the Intelligent World,” jointly developed by Huawei, IDC, OpenAtom Foundation, and the Global Intelligent Internet of Things Consortium. Unveiled in the presence of Dr. Boni Pudjianto from Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, the white paper identifies key trends, skill shifts, and training pathways for ICT professionals entering the intelligent era. It serves as a strategic reference for educational institutions and industry partners navigating the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
The Huawei ICT Academy also revealed a comprehensive curriculum upgrade that introduces AI-focused courses designed specifically for universities and training institutions across the Asia Pacific region. These courses aim to bridge the gap between traditional ICT education and the demands of an AI-driven workplace, ensuring students graduate with relevant, job-ready skills.
A symbolic collaboration moment saw representatives from Huawei, the ASEAN Foundation, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) come together to formalize their commitment to AI talent development, youth empowerment, and digital capacity building across the region. This partnership underscores the shared aspiration to promote digital inclusion and nurture the next generation of tech leaders in Asia Pacific.
Our Take
The 10th Huawei ICT Competition represents more than just a regional tech contest—it’s a strategic investment in the future workforce of Asia Pacific. With over 160,000 students trained through the Huawei ICT Academy over nine years and expansion from 2 to 500+ institutions, this initiative has become a cornerstone of the region’s digital skills development. The involvement of high-level ASEAN officials and ITU leadership signals that this isn’t just corporate CSR—it’s a coordinated, multi-stakeholder effort to address the growing digital skills gap in the region.
For Malaysian tech enthusiasts, IMU University’s Innovation Track first prize is a reminder that our local talent is competitive on the regional stage. As these students prepare to face global contenders in Shenzhen this June, the competition will test not just technical skills but also innovation thinking and real-world applicability—the qualities that define truly job-ready graduates in the AI era.
