The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) have tapped PLDT Inc. to link the massive public Wi-Fi access rollout to 220 state universities and colleges across the country.
Launched at the Bulacan Polytechnic College in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan with a simultaneous online screening at Nueva Vizcaya State University last June 7, the flagship project will further boost the online and blended learning programs of the education sector and support the connectivity requirements of faculty and academe.
Emmanuel Rey Caintic, DICT acting secretary, said the Free Wi-Fi initiative with UNDP targets to significantly contribute to the country’s achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Among the key objectives of the Free Wi-Fi project is to contribute to the progress of several SDGs. It’s strategic that we partnered with UNDP because it’s clear to them, which of the goals we are targeting,” Caintic said.
“Part of UNDP’s mission is to promote inclusive quality education and to bridge the digital divide, especially in the academic sector. This initiative strives to enable public higher education institutions and their students to access and participate in opportunities for economic development,” said Dr. Selva Ramachandran, UNDP resident representative.
Included in the program are major state universities such as Bulacan State University, Bacolod City College, Bukidnon State University, among others.
PLDT Enterprise said this will enable state universities and colleges enhance their e-learning efforts.
“As long-time supporters of the academic sector, we remain committed to exploring more solutions for students and faculty of learning institutions across the country,” said Alfredo Panlilio, PLDT and Smart Communications Inc. president and chief executive officer.
