Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies Monday unveiled its "Seeds for the Future" educational program in Ecuador's capital Quito.
The program seeks to promote studies in information and communications technology (ICT) among university students, it said.
"We want to make the most of the opportunity to support the professional growth of young Ecuadorians in ICT, because we believe in a better connected Ecuador," Huawei's Ecuador spokesperson Deyanira Cabrera said at a press conference.
China's high-tech multinational "wants to serve as a bridge of friendship, culture and technological innovation between China and Ecuador, and foment more talent in telecommunications," Cabrera added.
The program started in 2008 as part of the company's global corporate social responsibility program, and has since promoted ICT education in 30 countries, including France, Spain, Italy, Thailand, Morocco and Kenya.
According to Cabrera, Huawei has signed cooperation agreements with more than 60 universities, and more than 10,000 students have benefited from the program.
In Ecuador, the program centers on student exchanges, with 15 students from the country's seven leading ICT universities selected to participate in the program.
Students will not only enhance their knowledge in ICT, but also learn Chinese culture and its latest technological advances during a two-week stay there.
The 15 students "will be the first delegation from the country," said Cabrera, adding the program and others similar ones aim to narrow the digital divide that separates Latin America from Southeast Asia.
A global ICT provider, Huawei invests more than 10 percent of its annual sales revenues in research and development.
