PLDT and Smart welcomed South Cotabato-based Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU) to its innovation hub, the Technolab, underscoring the Group’s commitment to innovation and digital inclusion, and assisting in the government's key digitalization efforts. The PLDT Group is a founding member of the Digital Infrastructure pillar of the presidential Private Sector Advisory Council or PSAC.  

Based in Koronadal City, NDMU has been one of the PLDT Group’s long-time partner schools in Mindanao under its Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP). 

“SWEEP had extended and continues to provide opportunities to students and faculty of colleges and universities nationwide that can contribute to their respective academic and professional development. We are thrilled to keep this momentum going and look forward to shaping more generations of engineering students and teachers with this program,” said Cathy Yang, FVP and Head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.

Students and faculty from the College of Engineering at NDMU were rewarded with an insightful overview of the innovation and technology PLDT and Smart’s Technolab has to offer during their tour. 

“This tour supplements the theoretical foundation our students have from their respective programs. Additionally, field immersions like this one and PLDT and Smart’s internship program have given our students a grasp of what the industry actually looks and feels like,” said Engr. Vic Tobias, Dean of College of Engineering at NDMU.

Some of the topics highlighted during the tour were the future of 5G technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Extended Reality.

“Seeing modern technology up close is one of the highlights of this tour. We are fortunate enough to actually experience the devices which has been an amazing experience for all of us. Through this immersion, PLDT and Smart introduced us to the future of technology and innovation,” said 21-year-old Ferdinand Lopez II, BS Computer Engineering student from NDMU.

“The introduction of an advanced satellite system captured my attention the most since it is an innovation that can help rural areas and the rest of the Philippines. This educational tour has also opened doors for us, extended opportunities to help us realize what career we want to pursue in the future,” said 21-year-old Rhayze Earl Vince P. Delfin, BS Electronics Engineering Student from NDMU.

The first and longest-running industry-academe linkage, SWEEP has promoted innovation and excellence among its network of colleges and universities since 2003. This is also aligned with the UNSDG #4: Quality Education.