PLDT and Microsoft launches Digital Suite Campus to Boost IT Education in PH
Leading telecoms and multi-media service provider PLDT, through
its business unit PLDT SME Nation, has launched together with global IT giant
Microsoft Philippines a new service package called the Digital Campus Suite
that will enable students and academes access to online learning programs and
to earn IT (Information technology) certifications for critical IT skills that
are now in-demand in today’s digitally driven industries.
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PLDT SME Nation, Microsoft and COCOPEA have joined forces for a digital innovation that will help change the landscape of Philippine education.
In photo, from left, are: PLDT EVP and ePLDT President and CEO Eric Alberto, PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, COCOPEA Chair Bro. Jun Erguiza, FSC, Ed. D, Microsoft Philippines Country Manager Karrie Ilagan, PLDT President and CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno, PLDT SME Nation FVP and Head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde and APAC Education Partner Director Rani Burchmore.
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“We at PLDT are confident that this partnership can significantly
contribute to enriching the digital content of Philippine education. By
enabling schools through these programs, we are helping them, both educator and
student, to gain new critical skills and learn IT courses with globally
competitive technology programs that have become essential in today’s digital
work place,” said PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.
Through the Digital Campus Suite, schools will have high-speed
connectivity with PLDT myDSL Biz or iGate, and online access to training
courses of the Microsoft IT Academy Program.
Educators and students will have access to Microsoft’s digital
curriculum and earn IT certifications in the Microsoft IT Academy Program for
fundamental technology skills as well as courses that enable students to become
more competitive for employment.
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| COCOPEA Chair Bro. Jun Erguiza, FSC, Ed. D talks about technology and humanity. |
The suite also includes laptops, tablets, and WiFi access points
in the campus for the use of students for their over-all digital education
experience.
A study conducted by International Data Corporation (IDC) also
revealed that increased spending on IT cloud services will open up an estimated
14 million new jobs worldwide. The same report also noted that there is an
apparent “widening ICT professional skills gap” and a “shortage of skills” in
the Asia Pacific Region.
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| Microsoft Philippines Public Sector Lead Ferdie Saputil discusses the benefits of the Digital Campus Suite. |
PLDT SME Nation has been very active in partnering with schools
and learning institutions to build their technology and connectivity resources
in support of the education sector’s need to improve ICT learning among the
students and academe.
“This initiative fully aligns with PLDT SME Nation’s efforts to
empower the future generation with an ICT-enabled education system. ICT skills
are no longer just added value to employment but are now necessities in today’s business and
entrepreneurial landscape. This initiative will allow these students to
become adept in basic ICT skills and IT programs to prepare them for their
chosen careers,” said PLDT FVP and Head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde.
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| PLDT SME Nation First VP and Head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde |
This partnership is seen to bridge that widening skills and
education gap by empowering Filipino students the tools and knowledge to be
able to compete and gain advantage in today’s job market.
“An educated population is what we need to build a progressive
Philippine economy, but we can’t educate tomorrow’s leaders with tools from the
past,” said Microsoft Philippines General Manager Karrie Ilagan. “The
increasingly competitive workplace is being driven by technology and digital
literacy, and the Digital Campus Suite gives educators and students access to
tools that will build their capability to excel in that environment. We always
strive to effect a positive change in the lives of our customers, and our
partnership with PLDT SME Nation helps us create a bigger impact on all aspects
of education.”
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