Smart hosted graduating students from the National University-Fairview campus to the PLDT-Smart Technology Innovation Center (TechnoLab) in Makati City, highlighting the importance of a culture of innovation, especially in the academe.

Leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc (PLDT)'s wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc (Smart) welcomed graduating students from the National University-Fairview campus to the PLDT-Smart Technology Innovation Center (TechnoLab) in Makati City, strengthening the company's thrust to foster a culture of innovation, especially in the academe.

"PLDT-Smart TechnoLab is the innovation facility of PLDT and Smart that explores and conducts tests of new and cutting-edge technologies and innovations that are being adopted by top tier telco operators around the world. As the only telco network innovation lab in the country, the Technolab hosts many of the latest and upcoming telecom and IT technologies not yet available to the Philippine public and market, which you will be able to experience firsthand," said Roy Reyes, Senior Manager and Head of End to End Technologies in Network Strategy and Transformation Office, during his welcome remarks. 

"Our aim is to ignite your innovation and creativity, fostering a mindset of thinking beyond boundaries. We encourage you to absorb insights and ideas to empower and inspire you to become future innovators of our country. Let this experience equip you for your professional journey ahead," he added.  

The delegation, composed of graduating Computer Engineering students, learned more about PLDT and Smart's latest explorations and proof of concepts (PoC’s), including Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN), Network Disaggregation, and Extended Reality, with the students being able to experience first-hand virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality solutions.

During their visit to the Technolab, the graduating Computer Engineering students were also able to experience first-hand virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality solutions.

For Riva Mariane Machan, the delegation's class president, the activity was an eye-opener. "Our visit to the TechnoLab showed us that the Philippines is not behind in terms of new technologies, and further inspired our passion for our field," she said. "We are thankful to have had this opportunity to learn from experts, and add to our knowledge, especially outside the classroom." 

Arvin L. Siena, VP and Head of Network Strategy and Transformation Office at PLDT and Smart, encouraged the students to be the country's future innovators. "You are the country's future, as you will be the ones who will develop new capabilities moving forward. I encourage you to never stop dreaming. After all, everything that we have today began in someone's imagination before they relentlessly pursued it," he said.

Underscoring the value of promoting STEM education in the country, this activity is aligned with PLDT Group's broader initiatives for inclusive learning, and are also aimed at helping the country achieve UN SDG No. 4: Quality Education.