IN TERMS of maximizing information technology in running its government, the Republic of Korea is being looked up to all over the world.

Coming from a country like the Philippines, it was definitely an unforgettable journey to experience how it is to be living in this East Asian country.

The ROK, which is also known as South Korea, gave the 33 government officials and learners from several Asian and African countries the opportunity to learn more about e-governance through the Global Distance Learning Network's (GDLN) Blended Learning Program implemented by the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management.

From June to September, learning sessions were made simultaneously via videoconferences connecting the various GDLN partner institutions, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, Vietnam, China, Thailand, and India, among others. In the country, the participating GDLN partners are the University of Southeastern Philippines (Obrero Campus) and AMA Educational System in Luzon.

At the end of the videoconference classes, participants were asked to submit a final paper discussing about what they learned and how such government strategies relate to their own countries.

In the Philippines, only two participants made it to the Face-to-Face Training in Seoul last October 30 until November 3. It was a humbling journey for me and Aurora Jayagan-Cuello of the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda).

Aside from attending classes led by KDI assiciate professor Taejun Lee, we were also toured in different e-governance landmarks, such as the Incheon Free Economic Zone (Ifez), Samsung Innovation Museum (Sim), National Information Resources Service (NIRS) and, of course, the KDI, which has consistently been providing policy recommendations and guidance to ROK government. We were part as well of the Global Forum on e-Government Present and Future on the occasion of 50th anniversary of Korean e-Government. We likewise experienced the Korean culture as we visited Korea House, the official reception Hall of Korea.

Having learned a lot about South Korea and its e-government, I am personally amazed with how fast the country implements innovation; from procurement processes to provision of social services to its clients. You can really feel that the fourth industrial revolution is indeed happening in the said nation. By the way, they are now integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their processes. Yes, the future of technology is already happening in this part of the world!

Shoutout to Seyeong An, Paul Han Byoul Chang and Junghee Lee for all the love they extended from the start of our classes until we finally met in Seoul! We want to extend our gratitude, too, to KDI School of Public Policy and Management Capacity Building Center assistant dean Hai-young Yun!

Kamsahamnida! Thank you to everyone who made this journey possible, especially to Usep professor Gladys Florangel Ortiz, Department of Trade and Industry-Davao and Minda!

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