Huawei launches Ascend Partner Program

Global ICT provider Huawei has launched its Asia Pacific Partner Ascend Program as part of its aims to build an innovative and sustainable artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem that enables digitalisation and intelligent transformation in the region.

“When it comes to AI ecosystem-based collaboration, Huawei has always focused on infrastructure. We work with the academic community and industries to promote AI development, which advances both technology and industries as a whole. Ultimately, we hope to bridge the divide, and achieve shared success as quickly as possible. By leveraging our collaborative Connectivity + Computing + Cloud synergy, we are able to provide an intelligent, automated, information-driven platform for our partners’ content, applications, and algorithms. Together, we will build a thriving ecosystem and usher in a fully connected, intelligent world,” said Daniel Zhou, President of Huawei Cloud & AI Business Group, Asia Pacific Region.

The APAC Ascend Partner Program consists of three parts covering independent software vendor AI collaboration, institute of higher learning (IHL) AI talent cultivation, and government AI industry development. Through these initiatives, Huawei and its partners will support Asia Pacific countries with their strength in AI development, knowledge transfer, go-to-market and strategic resources.

The Independent Software Vendor AI Collaboration sub-programme provides ISVs, innovators and entrepreneurs with benefits such as non-recurring engineering funding (NREs), cloud resource vouchers, knowledge transfers via the Ascend AI community, Huawei HCIA-AI Certification exam vouchers, and go-to-market support.

The Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) AI Talent Cultivation sub-programme will support higher education institutes in building AI disciplines, cultivating AI talents, and improving academic research in AI based on the Huawei full-stack Atlas AI technological capabilities.

“In the new AI era, a strategic partnership between National University of Singapore and Huawei in research and talent development will make a great impact to society,” said Huang Zhiyong, Deputy Director, at National University of Singapore’s Business Analytics Centre.

For governments, the programme provides technical support in enhancing Asia Pacific countries’ AI innovation facilities using Ascend technology. Huawei will also share its experience in terms of industry best practices, and assist in policy matters such as AI industry standards.

“Indonesia national AI strategy, empowered by BPPT, is the most important milestone toward an innovation-driven nation, the golden vision of Indonesia 2045. Ubiquitous AI will drive our nation journey to achieve Sustainable Development Goals,” said Dr Ir Hammam Riza, head of Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT).