By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

Onward to becoming a smart university, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) is intensifying its efforts to achieve digital transformation in its systems and operations. 

In its first-ever digital transformation forum at the Center for Flexible Learning today, January 25, MMSU spelled the university’s goal to achieve more digitally and seamlessly connected through innovation, futures thinking, and strategic foresight. 

The event tackled the university’s digital transformation on research and information technology systems, and presented the MMSU Fourth Industrial Revolution framework. (FIRe is a fusion of advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, 3D printing, genetic engineering, quantum computing, and other technologies). It also served as avenue to usher in opportunities for academe-industry collaborations. 

“Indeed, there is more for us to achieve, and collaboration spells the way forward,” enthused MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, as she thanked various national government agencies and the congress for supporting the university’s smart university initiatives through development grants.

“We declare our commitment to move forward, explore avenues for partnership, and develop collaborative programs that shall strengthen the 21st-century skills among students and personnel as we transform MMSU into a smart university,” she mused.

Dr. Allan Lao, technical operations division chief of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, shared the National Broadband Program of the agency will be launched in June this year. “This will surely bring huge amount of bandwidth that will be able to support MMSU initiatives,” he said.

“The provincial government of Ilocos Norte pledges its stronger support to MMSU on its initiatives toward digital transformation,” expressed Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc who keynoted the event. “We hope to continue maximizing our platforms, resources, and equipment for us to further revitalize our Ilokano communities,” he added. 

An exhibit of MMSU-developed digital technologies and its industry partners’ is also installed in the venue. Showcasing their products are the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight Office, Information Technology Center, and Research Directorate. Also joining in the exhibit are the Huawei Technologies Philippines, Inc., Nephila Web Inc., Converge ICT, and Smart Communications, Inc. 

In the forum, five topics were discussed by officials from the industry-participants including DICT’s digital transformation, digital education tools, using Moodle, digital thumbprint program, and, design thinking. 

Partnership with Huawei, Sutherland forged

In line with its digital transformation, MMSU forged partnership with the Huawei Technologies Philippines, and the Sutherland Global Services Philippines. It was done through a signing ceremony between MMSU President Agrupis, Huawei Talent Ecosystem Manager Andrei Manuel, and Sutherland Lead for Talent Acquisition Vijay Nagar. 

In a memorandum of understanding, MMSU and Huawei agreed to establish cooperative relations in the fields of research and development, smart laboratory and technology showcase, faculty and student immersion and internship, curriculum/course enhancement, capacity building through information and communication technology academy, ICT skills development, and language training. 

The two institutions also signed a memorandum of agreement for the implementation of the Huawei Authorized Information Network Academy, a not-for-profit partnership program that authorizes MMSU to deliver Huawei certification courses to its students. 

Moreover, MMSU and Sutherland’s MOU targets collaborative activities on curriculum development, course design, on-the-job training of students, career guidance and recruitment, faculty immersion, faculty development programs, and research. This partnership also opens opportunities for possible employment of MMSU students in the Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing-related programs of the company.

President Agrupis said the partnership signing between MMSU and the two companies “pushes us closer to achieving our goal to developing transnational education programs on information technology with international universities.”

For their part, Mr. Manuel of Huawei and Mr. Nagar of Sutherland expressed commitment to help the university achieve its goal, and assured their support to sustain the collaboration. 

The activities are a part of the MMSU 45th Foundation Anniversary celebration. (JVBT/StratCom)