5-storey building transforms to high-tech educational facility through PSF, One Meralco Foundation donation.
PLDT-Smart Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan turns over the symbolic key of the MVP Technology and Innovation Center to Manila City Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila President Leonora De Jesus. With them are, from left: Meralco President and CEO Oscar Reyes, PLDT Group Chief Revenue Officer Eric Alberto, PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos, Former Senator Teresa Aquino-Oreta, and Board of Regents Member Atty. Bienvenido E. Laguesma.
The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) recently inaugurated a renovated and high-tech facility for its IT and Engineering students with upgraded equipment and an improved learning environment that was set up through the financial assistance of PLDT-Smart Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) and the One Meralco Foundation (OMF) called the MVP Technology and Innovation Center.
The new center was set up through the renovation and re-fitting of PLM’s five-storey College of Engineering building. This included various improvements in the engineering school’s facilities and equipment, the renovation of the ICT office, the installation of CCTV cameras and new cooling and fire alarm systems and the rebuilding of stairwell and hallway renovations of PLM’s Gusaling Villegas-Annex Building.
“It is with great joy that we finally turnover this technology and innovation center, and would like to thank the City of Manila for this opportunity to extend our support to your school and to education in general. This simply reflects the conviction of our foundations – PSF and OMF – that education is a core program of all of our CSR activities, and that technology is an integral part of that educational support that we give all over the country,” Pangilinan said.
“The MVP Technology and Innovation Center is a visible manifestation of a continuous effort that moves towards achieving greater innovations in the field of engineering and ICT. We hope this becomes a place that will drive innovations, new ideas, and establish new frontiers for this country,” Pangilinan added.
Prior to the donation of the new technology and innovation center, properly equipped engineering and technology laboratories were short of providing adequate learning facilities for the more than 2,500 students of the College of Engineering.
In his remarks, College of Engineering and Technology Student Council Vice President Ezekiel Mangabat recalls that many of the school’s engineering students had to visit nearby universities in order to use engineering facilities and equipment.
“Before, we use our imagination to understand how some engineering laboratory equipment would operate. We try to visualize in our minds how these concrete testing and procedures had to be done,” Mangabat said.
It was during the university’s 2015 commencement exercises when Pangilinan promised to help improve facilities for the benefit of the students. He expressed his gratitude on behalf of the student body saying how “we are fortunate enough to be the recipients of Chairman MVP’s generosity. We are indeed grateful for the kindness of the people behind the MVP Technology and Innovation Center,” Mangabat said.
Every year, the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila produces thousands of graduates contributing to the economic welfare of the city, working in the private sector and serving in government. The school has also consistently produced licensure exam topnotchers in its roster of graduates.
“The modernization of the city’s educational sector has always been one of my administration’s most important projects. I hope our students will be able to use and learn from this MVP Technology and Innovation Center for their studies. As a respected leader in the business sector, MVP has earned the respect and admiration of his peers. But despite all of his success, he has never turned his back on those who need help,” said Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada as he thanked Pangilinan, whom he recognized as an outstanding Manileño during the turnover ceremonies.
Vice President for Academic Affairs and University Committee on MVP Donation Chair Architect Gil C. Evasco describes the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila as a place where one never stops to aspire. “The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila has long been a refuge to many of Manila’s economically challenged but brilliant tertiary students. The MVP Technology and Innovation Center strengthens Manila’s resolve to remain as the bastion of hope to our next generation of scholars,” Evasco said.
