Rural schools receive P8 M worth of computers, servers

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) has received P8 million worth of computers equipped with cloud servers for public schools in remote areas to allow easy download of learning materials.

Zhao Rui, head of Huawei Technologies Phils. Inc.’s public relations, said 50 thin-client computers were donated to the DepEd to allow the department to share lessons and learning materials to schools in far-flung areas.

Zhao said the computers are equipped with Huawei’s latest cloud computing technology – vdi (virtual desktop infrastructure) system.

“You can actually use the cloud of Huawei to transport any e-education classes or e-lessons to teach students remotely. Huawei is really dedicated to help students in the Philippines to improve their knowledge on technology,” Zhao told reporters during the signing of the memorandum of agreement at the DepEd office in Pasig City on Friday.

Cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the Internet instead of the computer’s hard drive.

She said all the computers and equipment have been delivered to the DepEd from China.

“We are finishing the implementation on all the computers and the system. After we have finished it, we will send some trainors and engineers to help train the technique to the professionals here in the DepEd,” she said.

She said the cloud has large capability which can contain large database and several lessons.

“You can easily download (lessons) with Huawei’s vdi system not just for the 50 computers. The capability is one cloud for 300 (computers). We haven’t used all the cloud capability,” Zhao said.

“When you teach some lessons in Manila the students based in farther areas can also learn from these using this system,” she said.

Zhao said if the system works well in the DepEd, they intend to donate more computers to the Philippines as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

“First is we donated 50 units to let the students in the Philippines experience how our equipment works. If this is good, in the future we may incorporate more,” Zhao said.

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider.