Huawei partners with Stage 2 to deliver first class IP training to Middle East

Huawei Technologies, a global leader in delivering telecom and ICT solutions today announced it has launched the Huawei Authorised Learning Partner (HALP) programme in partnership with Stage 2 Learning Solutions, a certified division under Al Khaleej Group, currently one of the Middle East’s largest leading independent education and training centres.

The Huawei Authorized Learning Partner (HALP) programme will provide training and certification specifically in Internet Protocol (IP) and Datacom technology. The training aims to equip technical engineers and experts with specific technical skills including the application, installation, configuration and troubleshooting of Datacom and IP technology.

From understanding network designs, benchmarking and maintenance in IP technology, the HALP programme will ensure that technical engineers and experts in the enterprise market, channel sales and services, as well as students studying network technology related degrees achieve the best value training in IP technology. The programme is expected to enrol at least 500 students across the Middle East region by the end of 2011.

With an exponential growth of USD2.7 billion in sales revenue for 2010 in the Middle East, Huawei Technologies continues to increase its market foothold in the region where the enterprise market will remain its strategic focus over the next few years. Targeting five main sectors including banking, government, oil and gas, transportation and smart grid, Huawei Technologies will offer training and certification services as part of the range of offerings in the Enterprise portfolio.

Michael Xiong, Director of services and delivery for Huawei Enterprise Middle East said: “Training our partners and having our customers become well-versed with Huawei’s IP and Datacommunictions solutions is critical in the early stages of the Enterprise Business Group. The partnership will not only help our partners give our customers a proper introduction of our solutions but it will also help them understand how the technology can help deliver business results to their organisations”.

“We are excited about working with Stage 2 and look forward to providing a comprehensive and specialized certification on network technologies for our region’s customers. Together, we will bring a wealth of experience and resources to ensure that we can bring a greater understanding of technologies and solutions that will help to create win-win business opportunities for everybody.”

Al Khaleej Group signed an agreement with Huawei Enterprise earlier this year in Saudi Arabia to establish a certification system that allows for a more pragmatic training programme in Datacoms and Internet Protocol (IP) technology. Huawei’s partnership with Stage 2, its newly formed division under Al Khaleej Group will aim to continue its training capabilities in UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon.

Alwaleed Aldryaan, Chairman, Al Khaleej Groups and Stage 2 Learning Solutions said: “The Al Khaleej Group has been at the forefront of providing cutting edge training programmes in multiple areas in the region for many years. Our alliance with Huawei as one of the industry leaders in the Datacom and Internet Protocol domain constitutes further testimony of our ongoing thrust to expand our portfolio of trainings with future-relevant contents.

“We are proud of working with Huawei in the true spirit of partnership that has helped to first establish our relationship in Saudi Arabia and now with Stage 2 for the rest of the Middle East region. Both data communication as well as the internet in its broadest sense will play a key role in the future development of the region in many aspects, both in the enterprise world as well as for individuals. As a result, the overall potential and the growth opportunities for the Huawei ecosystem will be huge and we, at the Al Khaleej Group are thrilled to be part of this exciting journey.”

The launch of the training programme has been eagerly anticipated by a number of large companies in the Middle East following high demand for IP technical training.

The HALP programme is classified into three-tiers so that experts are able to develop their IP knowledge based on their professional background. From receiving a Huawei Certified Datacom Associate (HCDA), Huawei Certified Datacom Professional (HCDP) to Huawei Certified Datacom Expert (HCDE), trainees will be enriched with an understanding of networking solutions that will equip them with the necessary skills to compete in the datacommunications space.

While the HALP programme typically takes eight days to complete, students with prior experience with IP technology will also have access to the fast track programme. This will give them the opportunity to complete the course in a shorter time frame.

Huawei’s Enterprise business also offers products and solutions in four key areas including Internet Protocol (IP) for basic network infrastructure, communications technology (CT) such as video conferencing and unified communications, Information Technology (IT) including cloud computing and data centres, and industry solutions in e-government, railway network technology for high-speed trains (GSM-R), smart grids and solutions in the energy sector.