The PLDT and Smart Technolab offered future tech mavericks from Baguio City and Taguig a glimpse into the telecommunications industry. Graduating senior high school students from the University of Baguio widened their horizons by exploring upcoming cutting-edge communication solutions at the PLDT and Smart Technolab. With most of the students belonging to either the Accountancy, Business Management or Information Communications Technology tracks, the visit to the PLDT Group’s innovation sandbox was also a perfect opportunity for them to learn about the different careers in the telco space.

“I was so excited to see and try out the different gadgets in the showcase area. The experience solidified my decision to take up Information Technology in college,” said John Noel Ramilo, a Grade 12 student at UB.

“I appreciated the lectures about the different technologies from experts at Smart. It was a great opportunity to learn how these digital innovations can be applied in the real world,” added Bailey Cameron Tudlong, a Grade 12 student at UB.

Strategically located in Makati, the PLDT and Smart Technolab is operated by the PLDT Group’s Network Strategy and Transformation Office (NSTO). Among the advanced solutions being explored in the sandbox are Open Radio Access Network (ORAN), transport network disaggregation, new Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technologies, Non-Terrestrial Networks, extended reality, and advancements in cloudification and home automation solutions. With customers as its North Star, the PLDT Group embarks on a digital transformation strategy to ensure its network remains at the forefront of providing the best customer experience.

Other than these technologies, high school students from International School Manila (ISM) who are members of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) club also learned about data science and cybersecurity.

“I’m considering majoring in data science. Hearing from an actual data scientist at Smart talk about his daily activities is inspiring,” said Jiyun Kwak, a Grade 9 student at ISM.

“I’m looking at management science and engineering because I want to see how we can optimize our systems, especially in fields like agriculture. It was interesting to know how data is collected and how we can use AI and IoT to make processes more efficient,” said Hailey Yap, a Grade 11 student at ISM.

Welcoming students to the PLDT and Smart Technolab highlights the PLDT Group's much broader program for inclusive learning and its commitment in inspiring the youth to become the next generation of engineers and technopreneurs. These efforts underscore the group’s commitment in helping the country attain UN SDG 4 on Quality Education and UN SDG 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.