MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications Inc. recently conducted a training program on wireless broadband at the Bulacan State University (BSU) to kick off the second phase of the partnership between BSU and Smart under the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP).
BSU is Smart’s first school partner under SWEEP, a unique industry-academe linkage established in 2003 to help raise the level of engineering and technology education in the country.
“BSU is very grateful to Smart for providing this opportunity to our teachers to learn an advance technology and incorporate what they have learned in their lessons. In the end, the students and the entire university benefit from these trainings,” said Dr. Nicanor de la Rama, dean of the College of Engineering.
Engineer Oliver Mariano, head of the Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) department, described SWEEP as “very beneficial to the school.”
Under the second phase, they welcome the upgrade of the wireless laboratory installed in the campus, the provision of the latest wireless broadband equipment as well as the continuous training and immersion programs, he said.
Some 25 faculty members attended the wireless broadband training, which covered lectures and exercises that provided opportunities for hands-on learning.
“The teachers will now be able to integrate what they have learned in their lessons and help their students better understand wireless broadband technology,” said Smart’s Jeff Lacuata, who conducted the training.
Mags Gatdula of the Computer Engineering Department said the application of the theories learned “will definitely help me to effectively echo to my students what I have gained from the experience.”
Fellow teacher Monalisa Jimenez added that since lessons include not only theories, but also practical applications, “BSU graduates gain an edge when faced with the challenges of the telco industry.”
Rogelio Pimentel, who heads the Management Information Systems Department, said the wireless broadband training is timely since they are in the process of creating a network for the entire university.
“This training has given me and my staff a clearer perspective on wireless broadband and the technology involved,” he said.
Aris Fernando, a BSU graduate who joined the faculty of BSU’s Data Communications in 2006, vouched for the relevance of SWEEP. He won the top prize in PalaECEpan, the annual quiz bee that has SWEEP partner-schools competing on what they have learned from the training.
“I definitely find continuing education in the form of trainings and immersions very beneficial because aside from added knowledge, I get to share with my students what I learn. And now that I am part of the faculty, I know it’s my responsibility to give back to the school whatever talent and experiences that I’m blessed with,” Fernando said.