The global Covid-19 pandemic has radically changed the way we learn and teach, with the required social distancing forcing students to accept digital platforms and distance learning. Adding to the rapid change is the transformation of the work and skills profiles of many jobs due to the digital revolution.
Enter the triumvirate Mapua University, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD (DOST-PCIEERD), and Digital Pilipinas, which launched the DOST-MAPUA Technology Business Incubator - Think and Tinker Laboratory – Technology Business Incubation program on January 27. The collaboration boosts the whole-of-nation approach in creating an innovative education technology (EdTech) ecosystem through the mass adoption of emerging technologies.
The TBI is one of the strategies identified by the DOST to promote innovation and technopreneurship for the country's socio-economic development in a knowledge-based world economy. It involves an ecosystem where innovation is encouraged and supported towards commercialization to help startup technology-based businesses by providing a range of resources, services, and facilities needed during the development stage.
Mapua University President Dr. Reynaldo Vea said, “We thank the DOST for the TBI program. We hope to contribute to the eTechnology commercialization significantly, and we will strive to mobilize Mapua's talents, not only our students but also our faculty members, researcher, graduate schools, and undergraduates, to support the incubation initiative."
Over the past years, Mapua added another dimension in its history by championing outcome-based education by sending its students to undergo on-the-job training overseas to gain broader knowledge not available locally.
Vea went on to say, "We are mobilizing our talents in the fields of technology and business. There is synergy between RDI (research, development, and innovations) and instruction. The Think and Tinker Laboratory will enrich our learning by bringing new knowledge in the classroom while exposing our students to experiential learning by doing research."
As one of the leading research universities in the country, Mapua provides the stimulus in creating a perfect synergy among thought leaders, micro-small and medium enterprises, talents, investors, the government, and other stakeholders to move the country forward. The school fosters pioneering research and promotes innovative thinking and actions to create high-impact innovation and technology through industry collaboration.
Crossroad of technology and innovation agenda
Digital Pilipinas Convenor Amor Maclang explained the Philippines is entering a significant crossroad this year, highlighting the critical direction to "put forth a compelling technology and innovation agenda for the Philippines."
She explained, "We are fostering a killer ecosystem for tech and innovation for the Philippines. We together have grown this movement exponentially, and we have come a long way since we launched DP in Singapore in November 2019."
"We are debunking a lot of preconceived notions with regards to education. In this decentralized world, the barriers to learning are not as formidable as they used to be. When we took the Web 3.0 certification courses, we listened in on the talk. It will be available not just for Filipino students but for everyone worldwide. The fee will not even cost much, and we could immediately take on the certification. Your credentials will be on the blockchain, and you can put them wherever you need to," Maclang further added.
Maclang is appointed as Advisor to the Mapua TBI under the agreement. This authorizes her to refer other advisors on identified required specifications.
In addition, the parties have agreed to develop Collaborative Research and Development Projects, including the creation of Micro Certification Courses within the Digital Pilipinas Academy in cooperation with the Mapua Technology Business Incubator.
Why EduTech matters?
EduTech is the process of integrating technology into the educational system to create better teaching/learning experiences to achieve higher learning outcomes. EduTech is shifting the education landscape by replacing the old paper-and-pen teaching model.
Because technology is a human innovation, educators can apply technology to teaching, thus innovating the whole process. EduTech allows teachers to utilize multimedia to address diverse learning techniques, such as video, animation, and others. EduTech enables educators to build online courses to enable students to learn knowledge and skillsets at their own pace and space.
More importantly, applying technology in education allows connectivity and promotes an environment where teachers and students discuss, connect, share their opinions, and collaborate on ideas.
International partnerships
Currently, Digital Pilipinas has a partnership with a Singapore-based certifying body Affindi for Web 3.0 certification. The deal calls for the development of micro certification courses to be hosted on the APIX Oxygen platform developed and operated by Affindi. But Maclang plans to localize the process by partnering with the Mapua School of Graduate Studies for the certification.
Digital Pilipinas, through its Digital Pilipinas Academy allows thought leaders and industry experts to become advisors and faculty members, teaching their expertise via the APIX Oxygen platform.
During Entrepreneurs Month in November last year, DP inked a deal with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and sent between 250 and 300 scholars from the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the academic institutions on a Web 3.0 program.
In 2021, Digital Pilipinas achieved a crucial milestone when it partnered with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to launch the World Fintech Festival Philippines (WFF), which also saw the signing of the expanded Fintech Innovation Function Cooperation Agreement between the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and MAS. The deal enhances cross-border payments between Manila and Singapore while bringing closer the ambition for an ASEAN network of interconnected real-time payment systems.