BEIRUT, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's telecom giant Huawei, a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices, launched on Monday the latest edition of its annual Huawei Middle East ICT Competition in Lebanon, a statement by Huawei said.

Contestants are tested on their knowledge of cloud computing, switching, routing, and network security.

The competition is a unique opportunity for students to test their abilities in ICT's most cutting-edge fields, and helps local colleges and universities better understand enterprises' talent requirements, and optimize their curriculum accordingly.

The competition is part of Huawei's wider talent development agenda to support Lebanon's national ICT capabilities and the government's priority to nurture a generation of leaders ready to drive digital transformation.

"Nurturing local talent has always been part of Huawei's efforts in Lebanon to have a positive impact on the community," Paul Fengnan, CEO of Huawei Levant Region, said during the opening ceremony in Beirut.

"For many years, Huawei has not only led the development of the industry in the frontiers of technologies such as 5G and cloud computing, but has also invested heavily in the training of industry talent and building a talent ecosystem," he added.

Lebanon's Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Choucair said that Lebanon is moving swiftly into the digital era through initiatives in the public and private sectors.

"Investing in our people is thus a top priority as we aim to reap the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution. Our cooperation with those in the private sector is paramount to this aim, and we appreciate the efforts made by Huawei to help Lebanon's young people prepare for promising careers in the ICT industry," he said.

The competition comprises three stages including a preliminary phase, a national final, and a regional final.

The winners of the national level will travel to the international tech hub of Shenzhen, China, to compete in the regional final at the end of November.

While in China, the national winners will have access to Huawei's expertise in telecommunications, enterprise, and consumer businesses.

The finalists will also be invited to conduct field experiments at Huawei's specialized labs and research centers in its global headquarters.