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 Camous Suite that will enable students and academes access to online learning programs to earn IT (Information technology) certifications for critical IT skills that are now in-demand in today’s digitally driven industries.
“We at PLDT are confident that this partnership can significally 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.
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.
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. Thr 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 resourcs in support of the education sector’s need to improve ICT learning among the students and academe.
“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.
This partnership is seen to bridge that widening skills and education gap by empowring 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 Manger Karrie Ilagan. “The increasingly competitive workplace is being driven by technology and digital literacy, and the Digital Campus gives educators and students access to tools that will build their capacity 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.”
Digital Campus Suite
The Digital Campus Suite emphasizes on Digital Content, Collaboration, Smart Devices and Connectivity.
It offers fast, reliable and meaningful connectivity via Smart Wifi.
The Smart Wifi solution can enable your campus to build a hotspot.
- Provide strong WiFi access powered by the robust connectivity of PLDT my DSL Biz, FibrBiz, or iGate.
- Customize your own WiFi Name (SSID) and landing page.
- Manage WiFi Access Usage for Students and/or staff.
- Set number of minutes free browsing.
- whitelist/blacklist websites in line with school policies.
It can also help engage users.
- Advertise campus announcements online.
- Push surveys to WiFi users.
The school’s productivity and collaboration suite.
With the cloud-based Microsoft Office 365 Education E3 Plan, faulty and students can now have access to enterprise-grade tools over any device, on the go. As a student, this feature is one of my favorite. If students can maximize the use of Microsoft Office 365, I’m sure they will appreciate it’s use.
- Always get the latest versions of Microsoft Office applications
- Available on all devices. iOS, Android, Windows and Mac!
You can even do digital collaboration with ease through Skype for Business.
- Includes features like Presence and Instant Messaging, Distance Learning, Skype for Classroom, Virtual Classroom, and communication.
You have business-class email capabilities with Microsoft Exchange Online.
- It has 50GB Mailbox capacity per user. (The free account on Gmail offers 30GB of capacity which is used by all your Google Accounts, Drive, Gmail, and etc.)
- Have access to Outlook and Outlook Web APp.
- Maintain contact records of graduates through the Alumni Directory.
Here’s the best part. You can manage and share files virtually anywhere with Microsoft Sharepoint Online.
- Build and handle internal (school registration, payroll, enrollment, etc.) as well as external (student courses, extra-curricular activites, etc.) sites.
- UNLIMITED OneDrive per user. (Yes! Unlimited!)
Have access to a private social network with Yammer. I appreciate this feature. Facebook isn’t allowed on our network and the fact that professors use Facebook to post files, assignments, etc, sometimes, is quite a hassle.
These are just some of the features offered by the Digital Campus Suite. As a student, I truly love what the Digital Campus Suite can offer to me. I wish my university will soon participate in trying out Digital Campus Suite.
PLDT SME Nation
Website: http://pldtsme-nation.com.ph
Landline 101-888
Facebook: pldtsmenation
Twitter: @pldtsmenation
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