Two industry giants, PLDT and Microsoft, have partnered to launch a new service package called the Digital Campus Suite which will give students and academes access to online learning programs and to earn information technology (IT) certifications for critical IT skills.
Though the Digital Campus Suite, schools will have high-speed connectivity with PLDT myDSL Biz or iGate. Schools will receive licenses to Microsoft Office 365 to help students and teachers interact and teach using Cloud tools and platforms.
Educators and students will have access to the 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.
The suite also includes laptops, tablets, and WiFi access points in campus to enhance the overall digital education experience.
According to PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, “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 lean IT courses with globally competitive technology programs that have become essential in today’s digital workplace.”
A study conducted by International Data Corporation (IDC) 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 was an apparent “widening ICT professional skills gap” and a “shortage of skills” in the Asia-Pacific region.
“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,” said PLDT head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde.
Microsoft Philippines general manager Karrie Ilagan adds, “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. 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. Our partnership with PLDT SME Nation helps us create a bigger impact on all aspects of education.”