The smart campus project of Abra State Institute of Science and Technology (ASIST) that aims to boost student engagement with technology through digitalization and to encourage the development of insight-driven solutions to problems such as the COVID-19 pandemic will be powered by PLDT Enterprise and its ICT arm, ePLDT.
To power the institution, PLDT Enterprise and ePLDT will extend a secure and managed Internet network infrastructure including Managed IT and Cybersecurity services.
“It is our top priority to work with universities and colleges in providing secure and reliable network connectivity and solutions that will help amplify digital academic activities in support of their digitalization roadmap,” according to Vic Tria, First Vice President for Enterprise Revenue Group of PLDT Enterprise.
Dr. Gregorio T. Turqueza Jr., President of ASIST, said the institute targets to utilize smart technologies to support its students in honing their digital expertise and helping them become globally competitive professionals.
“Amid our changing learning environment, we, at Abra State Institute of Science and Technology, thrust to leverage innovative technologies to provide better learning experiences to our students. This will help our learners to gain necessary digital skill sets they would need to unlock better opportunities for their future,” said Dr. Turqueza.
Dennis Magbatoc, AVP and Corporate Relationship Management Head of PLDT Enterprise added that the support from PLDT Enterprise and ePLDT will provide ASIST with the needed robust digital infrastructure for becoming a smart educational institution.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) defines smart campuses as “spaces where higher education institutions use next-generation digital technologies woven seamlessly with a well-architected infrastructure to develop tools to enhance teaching and learning, research and extension, as well as to improve operational efficiency.”
Dr. Noel B. Begnalen, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Technical Lead for the Smart Campus Project, said that this initiative is also expected to deliver promising outcomes to their institution such as improved operational efficiency, boost their teaching capabilities, and foster a digital learning environment.
The group-wide push for supporting education underscores the commitment of the PLDT Group to help the Philippines attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), particularly SDG #4: Quality Education as a foundation for improving people’s lives and obtaining sustainable development.