SMART Communications Inc. (Smart) and Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc. (DMPI) are collaborating with the GSM Association (GSMA) in pursuing initiatives to propagate mEducation, or the use of mobile technologies in education, particularly in underserved areas or places with limited connectivity.
Both Smart and Sun Cellular are participants in the one-and-a-half day workshop that started yesterday, organized by the GSMA in Manila that hopes to open new commercial opportunities for mEducation that will enable 21st century learning and teaching opportunities, with the Philippines becoming an example to be followed by the rest of the world.
The GSMA is the worldwide association of mobile operators and related companies devoted to supporting the standardizing, deployment and promotion of the GSM mobile telephone system.
"Smart is proud to partner with GSMA in this worthy undertaking that aims to democratize access to quality education with the use of mobile technologies. With our years of successful programs integrating mobile and Internet technologies in education, this is a welcome and exciting collaboration," said Napoleon L. Nazareno, president and chief executive officer, Smart.
"Millions of Filipinos do not have access to formal education and the mobile platform has the potential to bridge this gap using technology-enabled solutions. This collaboration will allow Sun to be able to contribute in opening up opportunities for mobile in education as well as social development in general," said Orlando B. Vea, president and chief executive officer, DMPI.
This partnership couldn't have been timelier as the 2015 deadline of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) draws near. One of the eight MDGs is universal access to primary education.
In the Philippines, the Department of Education (DepEd) has aligned its initiatives in line with its continuing thrust to make education universal and inclusive of all learners under its Education for All (EFA) 2015 target.
In previous statements, GSMA acknowledges that mobile is uniquely positioned to help facilitate education opportunities otherwise inaccessible in a country with numerous islands. During the workshop, GSMA will present global evidence, insight, and future possibilities in the area of mEducation.
The DepEd and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority will also be joining the workshop to provide information on the Philippine education landscape -- the challenges, needs and areas where mEducation initiatives might contribute.
As an output, a multi-party cooperation agreement will be signed among the various stakeholders, including Smart and DMPI for the development of mobile solutions, strategies, products, and services that will benefit Filipino learners and communities.
An on-site demonstration will also be held for GSMA in Cebu on Smart’s mEducation initiative.