SMART opens wireless lab at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) inaugurated a wireless laboratory and cell-site that serves as a teaching facility for engineering students.
PLM also gave an alumnus achievement award to Engr. Rolando Peña, head of SMART's customer service assurance group.
The lab features various mobile phone network equipments, including an operational SMART GSM base station, which will enhance the learning experience of students in Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE).
SMART officials led Consumer Affairs Division Head Rolando Peña (second from right) turn over the wireless lab marker to PLM Executive Vice President Atty. Patrick Mariano (third from left) during the inauguration. Also in photo are (from right) SMART Public Affairs Group Head Ramon Isberto, SMART Network and Platforms Services Division Senior Manager Jay Bacoy, PLM Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Virginia Santos and PLM Officer in Charge-Office of the University Secretary Dr. Anchela Biag.
"By working with schools in offering relevant ECE education, we help students acquire a more realistic understanding of the world of telecommunications. In short, we partner with schools to produce industry-ready graduates," explained Engr. Jay Bacoy, a senior manager at SMART who graduated from PLM and topped the 1991 ECE board exams.
The telco's donation was given through its Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP), a first-of-its-kind industry-academe partnership that seeks to improve the level of technology and engineering education in the country, particularly in the field of ECE.
PLM Executive Vice President Atty. Patrick Mariano said SMART's contribution will help prepare students for their future jobs. "Our faculty and students are very happy. They are very thankful to SMART for this donation. Our ECE program will now be at par with the other universities in Metro Manila like La Salle and Ateneo, which are privately funded," he said.
During the opening of the SWEEP lab, the university also recognized the accomplishments of SMART's Engr. Peña, a veteran in communications engineering with 27 years of experience in the industry. He was part of the team that first studied how to apply the technologies of personal computers to telecommunications.
"I would like to thank PLM for giving me the opportunity to be in this industry," said Pena. "The training that we got here prepared us to meet the challenges in the workplace. We learned hard work and perseverance -- doing our best to overcome obstacles in order to get the job done."
"I feel so honored and humbled by the award. It's good to be recognized by your alma mater and to be able to give back to them," he added.
Through the SWEEP lab, Peña said PLM students will be challenged to think creatively about the possibilities of the technology. "This is a good opportunity for both SMART and PLM."
SMART Consumer Affairs Division Head Rolando Peña receives an alumnus achievement award from PLM Executive Vice President Atty. Patrick Mariano.
Engr. Dennis Edward E. Diano, CET Dean, said the lab will motivate their students to learn. "Before we had no laboratory so puro lang theory. But now that we have a lab, the students will be more inspired to learn about wireless communications," he said. "This will help us produce better graduates. We will be more active in joining contests. We also hope to produce more topnotchers in the board exams."
As a SWEEP partner, PLM not only benefits from the lab, which will help students learn more about the basics of a mobile phone network and wireless broadband services. Faculty and students will also undergo various training sessions that will help them understand the technology further and learn how to install and configure equipment.
(Published 16 December 2009, Smart Communications Inc.)