From Switzerland to Shenzhen

What unfolded there over the course of just a few days was far more than just a competition. It was an intense week filled with focus, technical excellence, international exchange, and lasting impressions. ITpoint is particularly pleased that two of its employees were part of this extraordinary journey.

A competition of impressive proportions

The Huawei ICT Competition is one of the largest international tech competitions for students and young ICT talent worldwide. More than 210,000 participants from over 100 countries and more than 2,000 institutions took part in this edition; in the Network Track alone, more than 110,000 students competed.

The fact that the Swiss team has worked its way up to the global stage in this environment is a strong testament to its expertise, motivation, and team spirit.

The Road to Shenzhen: Switzerland, Europe, World Finals

The path to the Global Final involved several stages: first, the national qualifiers in Switzerland; then the Regional Final in Europe; and finally, the Global Final in Shenzhen. Only four teams from across Europe qualified for the Global Final. The Swiss team was one of them.

That alone shows the level of this competition. Anyone who makes it this far has prevailed against strong international competition in several challenging rounds.

Eight hours, full concentration, no downtime

On June 2, 2026, things got serious. The Global Final took place right at Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen, and in the Network Track, the competition got off to a fast start.

For about eight hours, the team worked on a complex network topology in the Huawei eNSP Simulator. Routing, switching, security, VPN, and data center networks: all under time pressure, all as a team, all at a high technical level.

That is exactly what makes a competition like this so appealing. It’s not just about technical knowledge, but also about speed, precision, seamless coordination, and the ability to function as a team under pressure—skills that are also in demand every day in the ICT field.

More Than Just a Competition: A Look at the International Tech World

In addition to the actual final, the week in Shenzhen offered many memorable experiences. The day after the exam, the itinerary included a visit to the Huawei Research Campus and the Exhibition Hall.

What we saw there was impressive: technology, development, and innovation on a scale that really leaves a lasting impression. It became clear in which direction modern ICT infrastructures, network technologies, and digital platforms are evolving. On top of that, we had the opportunity to interact directly with students from all over the world—people from diverse backgrounds, but all sharing the same enthusiasm for ICT.

For young ICT professionals in particular, this kind of perspective that looks beyond their own market is especially valuable.

The Moment That Sticks With You: The Award Ceremony

After an intense week, the emotional highlight followed: the award ceremony.

Sarifen Sittampalam and Miguel Fernandes Nunes arrived at the Convention Hall, where they were interviewed by Markus Thür, the Swiss Consul General in Guangzhou, prior to the official awards ceremony. Shortly thereafter, the ceremony began.

Then came the moment everything had been building up to: The Swiss team was called onto the stage, and Markus Thür personally presented them with the award. Representing Switzerland on the international stage in this context was an extraordinary and unforgettable moment.

What Remains

What we take away from Shenzhen is not just an award. It is the experience of competing at the international level, getting to know talented people from numerous countries, and succeeding as a team under the most challenging conditions.

Before heading back to Switzerland, we still had a few days in Hong Kong ahead of us. It was time to let all the new experiences sink in and look back on an extraordinary week.

Experiences like these have a lasting impact. They offer new perspectives, sharpen one’s awareness of international developments, and demonstrate what is possible when expertise, preparation, and team spirit come together.

Our conclusion: We're proud of Miguel and Sarifen

It is a proud moment for ITpoint to see Sarifen and Miguel contribute their expertise, continue to grow, and represent Switzerland on the global ICT stage. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to both of them on this outstanding achievement and thank everyone who made this journey possible.