How far is Cebu from Silicon valley?
The first time Cebu was chosen as venue for an IT summit was in 2001 when speakers asked what Cebu can offer to propel the country into great information technology (IT) or ICT heights.
Four years ago, the "Cebu is IT" summit ended with an enumeration of what would make Cebu into Asia's Silicon valley, that place in California known for its high-technology industries. The elements needed to make Cebu the IT capital of Asia are: physical infrastructure, excellent education to produce a skilled workforce, a strong entrepreneurial drive, access to venture capital and government support.
Yet Cebu, or the whole Philippines for that matter, is not a Silicon valley, is far from being one or may never be a Silicon valley. Not when IT or ICT is absent from everyday affairs. Not when the cost of purchasing equipment is beyond the ordinary man's reach. Not when what catches the public's fancy more than learning about technology is learning how to use the technology to download the "Hello Garci" ringtone.
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Four years ago, the "Cebu is IT" summit ended with an enumeration of what would make Cebu into Asia's Silicon valley, that place in California known for its high-technology industries. The elements needed to make Cebu the IT capital of Asia are: physical infrastructure, excellent education to produce a skilled workforce, a strong entrepreneurial drive, access to venture capital and government support.
Yet Cebu, or the whole Philippines for that matter, is not a Silicon valley, is far from being one or may never be a Silicon valley. Not when IT or ICT is absent from everyday affairs. Not when the cost of purchasing equipment is beyond the ordinary man's reach. Not when what catches the public's fancy more than learning about technology is learning how to use the technology to download the "Hello Garci" ringtone.
Click here to read the full story
4 Comments:
At 8:06 AM, Anonymous said…
You're right. And more so right now, what with the political mess our government is currently in. I think we should concentrate our resources in improving IT education. Our resources are limited but our needs are vast. I think we should focus it on the area that would give the biggest returns - education.
Jake
At 1:15 AM, digitalsuperman said…
As a cebuano, I am proud that our local government is making a giant step towards improving our lives by making more opportunities for us on Information Technology. Although right now, its a dream to become the Silicon Valley of Asia, I am glad that our local government are providing us a direction that might lead us to the fulfilment of that dream.
At 12:01 PM, Anonymous said…
It is good that Cebu's government, business and academe have banded together to help the province reach its dream of being a major IT hub in Southeast Asia.
Let us not concern ourselves so much on the political noise that is going in Luzon. Let us focus on what we need to do here to bring ourselves forward and be part of the progressive international IT community.
At 4:05 PM, Anonymous said…
Bieng a Cebuano, I very happy to hear that our local government makes a big move for the development of our IT resorce in Cebu. Let do it Hand in Hand.
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