PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) officially forged another phase of partnership with the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac, Ilocos Norte, under the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP). Established in 2003, SWEEP is the first and longest-running industry-academe linkage in the Philippines with a network of 34 colleges and universities all over the country. With a 19-year partnership, MMSU is also one of the pioneering schools to incorporate SWEEP into their curriculum.
“We are celebrating one of the longest partnerships we have in PLDT and Smart, highlighting more than 19 years of collaboration with MMSU under SWEEP. We will continue to support the academic industry by leveraging technology to help push our inclusive advocacy towards quality education,” said Mario G. Tamayo, SVP and Technology Head at PLDT and Smart.
Through capacity building sessions and technical trainings led by the Smart Technology Innovation Center (TechnoLab), SWEEP provides opportunities to both students and faculty members to become industry-ready graduates and enables them to keep up with technological advancement and emerging trends.
“At PLDT and Smart, we do not simply aim to provide fast and reliable connectivity for our subscribers. The goal of our fixed and wireless networks also includes extending opportunities to communities, especially the academe, through what we offer, quality technology. We aim to elevate the quality of education of students through SWEEP,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, Head of Stakeholder Management Team at PLDT and Smart.
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between MMSU and PLDT and Smart officially signed
Under SWEEP Phase 4, MMSU faculty will learn from Smart TechnoLab experts and undergo training on 5G network technology, Internet of Things (IoT), next generation access and transport, network virtualization, cybersecurity, and data visualization and analytics.
“We are grateful for this partnership with PLDT and Smart. SWEEP pushes us further towards achieving our goals of academic excellence. With the knowledge and skills acquired from SWEEP, we are given the opportunity to produce industry-ready graduates who shall shape the future,” said Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, President of MMSU.
PLDT and Smart highlight the value of industry-academe linkage to the career of tertiary students and industry experts. SWEEP is part of PLDT and Smart’s initiatives that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) #4: Quality Education.