The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the University of the Philippines (UP) entered into an agreement for the implementation of the Government Chief Information Officer (GCIO) Development Program.
The DICT said the program offers a scholarship to qualified government employees to pursue a degree in Master in Technology Management (MTM) offered by UP Technology Management Center.
“As part of our vision to establish a Digital Government, the DICT is not only focusing on providing ICT systems, tools and solutions in the government sector, but also on improving the ICT knowledge and skills of the government workforce who shall be at the forefront of public service delivery,” DICT Secretary Gregorio B. Honasan II said in a statement.
“The DICT believes that UP, as the leading public institution of learning in the country, will help us achieve our vision,” he added.
The program aims to provide ICT education and training to qualified government employee scholars for the purpose of establishing Chief Information Officers (CIOs) in priority government agencies and offices.
For its part, the UP expressed its support for the GCIO Development Program.
“The University of the Philippines fully supports the GCIO Development Scholarship Program of the DICT, which will train executive-level officials responsible for the overall data and technological direction of their organizations,” UP President Danilo L. Concepcion said.
“Given the strategic importance of ICTs in the operations of all national government agencies and local governments units, the position of GCIO is now urgent and necessary,” he added.
The agreement between DICT and UP also provides for cooperation on the conduct of trainings and conferences for the capacity building of GCIOs.
“I congratulate the DICT for the launch of its Government Chief Information Office Development Program,” UP Diliman Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo said.
“The University, through its Technology Management Center, is proud to be part of this partnership, that will enhance government’s capability to effectively plan and implement ICT programs,” he added.