MANILA, Philippines - Globe Telecom and Microsoft Philippines have joined hands to facilitate the implementation of the Global Filipino Schools (GFS) program, a competency-building initiative of Globe designed to help schools and their communities effectively utilize information and communications technology (ICT) for education.
In a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by both parties, Microsoft pledged to provide software and professional development support to 15 GFS schools that Globe will identify in the next three years.
“Microsoft recognizes the importance of education in nation-building. Thus, we are supporting the Globe GFS program by assisting the schools in their software requirements. We want to point them to the right vendors who can help them in their software needs, to share with the GFS schools the free resources we have for education, and lastly, to provide professional development and capacity building for the school heads, educators and students,” said Leeanne Nuguid, Microsoft Philippines academic programs manager.
One of the most important components of GFS involves ICT infrastructure and software support, an area which Microsoft specializes in, being a market leader in computer Operating Systems (OS) and software development.
Globe, on the other hand, envisions the creation of ICT-powered public schools where students can tap networked computers, where multi-media materials are increasingly utilized for teaching, and where school heads manage administrative processes with efficiency-enhancing ICT systems.
“Both Globe and Microsoft believe that there is an urgent need to develop ICT skills among public school teachers and students by integrating it in the Philippine education system. And with this partnership, we are confident that we can make great things possible for Philippine education,” said Yoly Crisanto, head of Globe Corporate Communications Division.
The two companies are currently engaged in various ICT for education efforts such as the Partners in Learning of Microsoft and Internet in School Program (ISP) and Global Filipino Teachers (GFT) of Globe Bridging Communications, the corporate social responsibility arm of Globe.