PLDT and its wireless unit Smart marked 20 years of the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP), which helps colleges and universities in the Philippines learn about technology and new ideas.
“We recognize how conscious today’s youth are of the world they live in. They want to have a hand in shaping their own future and that of the world’s. We hope to help them reach these goals through SWEEP,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management Team at PLDT and Smart.
By encouraging schools and universities to be more open to new ideas and getting more Filipino students to take STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and ICT-related classes, SWEEP also hopes to make a lasting effect on communities through technology.
SWEEP also made it possible for Innovation Generation (InnoGen), a grant program for tech-savvy high school and college seniors who want to make a difference in the digital world.
The winning team from InnoGen’s most recent season, SenOptica from Talavera Senior High School in Talavera, Nueva Ecija, talked about using new and existing technologies to create their product. This worn sensor-based device helps people who are blind or have low vision.
Prince Ramirez, 22, of Wesleyan University Philippines also talked about how PLDT and Smart helped them make TARALIBOT, which will have an effect that lasts for a long time.
“TARALIBOT wants to give local and indigenous merchants more power by giving them an online platform and helping them reach more people. This is because many of these merchants don’t have the marketing tools they need.” “We want to make things better so that all local businesses have the same chances to do well in the digital economy,” Prince said.
PLDT Group has always stressed the importance of learning for everyone and programs like SWEEP that connect businesses and schools, especially to boost STEM education in the country.
This promise also supports UNSDG #4: Quality Education and fits with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) goals, which the Philippine government sets. As one of the founding members of PSAC’s Digital Infrastructure pillar, PLDT wants to help close the digital gap by training more Filipinos in STEM fields and giving them the skills they’ll need for jobs in the future.
is Rafael Pedrajita offline. He is the founder of Tech Patrol. He's been a freelancer and a blogger since March of 2010. He married a beautiful woman named Amor. You can follow him on his Social Media accounts in the links below.
