Lucent backs development of science education in RP

Lucent Technologies, one of the world’s leading telecommunications equipment makers, recently contributed $150,000 or about P7 million to the Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology’s (PFST) Educational Pathways project as part of the company’s continuing efforts to support the advancement of youth education in the Philippines.

Lucent Technologies Philippines president Gregg Marshall said the program covers a period of 18 months that began in January 2001. The Educational Pathways project is composed of integrated educational modules that aim to promote science and technology innovation among the youth.

"The grant will help encourage young Filipinos, especially those in poor communities, to be interested in science and technology," Marshall said. The project has identified the Don Jose Ynares Memorial National High School in Binangonan, Rizal as the pilot school beneficiary.

Signing of Lucent’s donation commitment were made by Marshall and PFST chairman Amaury Gutierrez. Also present were Department of Education assistant secretary Fe Hidalgo and Binangonan Mayor Cesar Ynares.

The project will be a comprehensive program that extends the benefit of science education to economically depressed communities in and out of Metro Manila. After the 18-month program, Lucent can evaluate the success of the project and may opt to renew its commitment to the Foundation for its second phase.

"The grant we received from Lucent is very significant and timely since this will support the fast tracking of science education’s development in the Philippines. This is another example of how the relationship between government and the private sector is strengthened by combining their resources to attain a common objective. With Lucent’s support, we are hopeful that teachers and students will benefit from the project and make the science and technology culture more productive," according to PFST director Leticia Moran Zerda.

Founded in 1984, the PFST is a non-profit private organization that engages in activities, projects and programs for the promotion of science and technology among young Filipinos.

"Information technology, and other fields of science, are the major anchors of businesses and industries," Marshall said. "By helping train youth in these areas, we prepare them to take an active part in the economic life of the Philippines and to reap the benefits of technology advancement," he explained. Lucent, a leading US-based telecommunication equipment supplier and solutions provider, has made skills-training a priority in its community outreach programs in the Philippines.

"Lucent believes that skills help people get jobs and run enterprises that, in turn, transform individuals, families and communities into productive units of society," Marshall pointed out.

Lucent in the Philippines has been actively supporting charitable projects, especially those geared towards science education and skills training.

In 1999, Lucent Philippines made a US$150,000 grant to the Children’s Youth Foundation of the Philippines to support alternative education for Filipino out-of-school-youth through the Internet. A Teacher Training Program was also awarded a $95,000 grant to help promote the use of information technology in education, especially in public schools in and out of Metro Manila.

"Lucent’s active support for science and technology education is a recognition of the importance of developing youth to help them meet the challenges of the new century," said Marshall, who is also the president of the American Chamber Foundation of the Philippines Inc.

"This makes Lucent’s financial assistance a vital investment in human resource development that has very long-term benefits both for the individual and for the community," he added.

Lucent’s active involvement in youth development is part of its global policy of social responsibility. It has institutionalized its Global Days of Caring where some 15,000 Lucent employees worldwide actively assist the company’s community-based outreach projects.

In the Philippines, Lucent employees have supported the White Cross Children’s Home and the Project Hope Center. They also took part in the 16th Annual Jimmy Carter Work Project for Habitat for Humanity International where they helped build homes in Cavite and General Santos.