PLDT, Microsoft to boost PH IT education, launches Digital Campus Suite

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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“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.

PLDT SME Nation First VP and Head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde

“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.

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.

COCOPEA Chair Bro. Jun Erguiza, FSC, Ed. D talks about technology and humanity.

Microsoft Philippines Public Sector Lead Ferdie Saputil discusses the benefits of the Digital Campus Suite.

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.

Schools will also receive licenses to Microsoft Office 365 to help students and teachers interact and teach using Cloud tools and platforms.

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.

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 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.” 

PLDT SME Nation First VP and Head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde