Press Release
SMART supports CICT’s i-Schools
Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) Chairman Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III and SMART Chief Wireless Advisor Orlando Vea (second and third from left, respectively) formalize an agreement for SMART to support the CICT’s i-Schools project. Also in photo are CICT Commissioner Atty. Consuelo Perez and SMART Public Affairs Group Head Ramon Isberto.
[MARCH 5, 2009/MANILA] - Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) and the Commission of Information and Communications Technology (CICT) have signed an agreement that will enhance the government’s ICT program for public high schools.
“SMART supports the government’s goal to integrate Information and Communications Technology in public school education through CICT’s i-Schools project. We see this as an initiative under Internet for All, our advocacy to bring the Internet and its benefits to the masses. This partnership gives us an opportunity to expand what we’re already doing under the Smart Schools Program so that more schools will benefit from Internet access, content and training,” said Orlando B. Vea, Smart Chief Wireless Advisor.
Under the agreement, SMART will provide one-year Internet access to public high schools under the CICT’s i-Schools project, a continuing initiative to provide each of the country’s 6,000 public high schools with a computer laboratory, high-speed Internet connectivity for one year, and comprehensive ICT-related training for teachers and administrators.
In the first phase, SMART is providing Internet connectivity to 25 i-Schools nationwide via Smart Bro, the wireless broadband service of subsidiary Smart Broadband Inc. Aside from Internet connectivity, SMART will also provide training on Web Technology and web hosting through its Smart Schools Program.
SMART launched the Smart Schools Program late 2004 to promote ICT in public school education through the provision of Internet access, content and training. To date, SMART has 240 public school partners nationwide, of which 180 are public high schools and 60 are public elementary schools.
The partnership is one of SMART’s initiatives to promote Internet for All, an advocacy to make the Internet accessible to more people by making it affordable via technology and innovation, as well as to make it more relevant via useful applications and strategic partnerships with relevant agencies. @
