Google Philippines recently launched its “Schools Gone Google” program, project aims to bring Google Apps for Education to as many education institutions in the country as possible.
In a celebratory event entitled “Going UP with Google” at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus, Google and representatives from 16 colleges and universities, including the University of the Philippines, celebrated the schools’ adoption of Google Apps for Education, a suite of collaboration tools offered for free by Google to academic institutions for a more meaningful curricular integration.
“We are glad that major universities are taking the step to modernise their system by adopting Google Apps for Education. We hope that this will be one of the many factors that will help improve the learning system in the country,” said Narciso Reyes, Country Manager of Google Philippines.
The University of the Philippines is one of the biggest universities in the country to migrate its education management system to Google Apps. It is bringing 70,000 of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni to join more than 20 million active users worldwide of Google Apps for Education.
“Implementing Google Apps for Education for the whole UP system is a big move for us. As the premier state university, we want to optimise the use of technology to provide our students with a better learning experience, “ said Alfredo E. Pascual, UP President. “We believe that Google Apps for Education can help us achieve this and more.”
Joining UP in the event are Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University who have gone Google in 2012 and early this year.
“Google is committed to education so we are more than willing to assist higher education institutions who want to use our tools for a more collaborative learning experience,” said Janet Yoon, Google Apps Supporting Programs (GASP) lead for the Philippines who has been working since 2012 on engaging Philippine schools for the systems migration.
Also adopting Google Apps for Education as part of their vision to bring better education to students are: Adamson University, Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, Ateneo de Zamboanga, Eastern Visayas State University, Immaculate Concepcion Academy, Miriam College, Rizal Technical University, Siliman University, St Paul University, St Scholastica’s College, and University of San Jose Recoletos among others.
The applications that universities can use in Google Apps for Education include Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Talk, Google Drive, and Google Sites.
For more information on how to go Google, visit http://www.google.com/enterprise/apps/education.