Smart announces SWEEP scholars

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently introduced the 13 college students who qualified for a one-year scholarship under the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP).

Those who made it from the national capital region were Shelene E. Gomez and Jorge Gonzales of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Regine Anne D. Sarne of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and Ronnie Concepcion of the Technological University of the Philippines-Manila.

The Luzon scholars were composed of Bon Marlo Rañada of Bataan State Peninsula University, Ma. Teresa Crisostomo of Batangas State University,  Arianne Roussel Regio, John Edson Dumalay and Jaaziel Sam Carlos of Bulacan State University and Rey Victor Pabro of Mariano Marcos State University.

John Joseph Mallorca of the Technological University of the Philippines was the lone representative from the Visayas, while Eric Justin Pineda of Mindanao State University-General Santos and Shiela Cantor of the University of Southeastern Philippines made up the Mindanao contingent.

Smart Chief Wireless Advisor Orlando Vea led officials in congratulating the scholars in a simple ceremony held in Jump, the newest and most exciting digital playground built by PLDT and Smart to showcase the group’s latest products and technologies, as well as those not yet offered on the market.

“We are happy and proud to support all of you as you acquire the knowledge and the tools that will allow you to meaningfully participate as creators and enablers as well as consumers in this new digital age,” he told the students.

The scholars were given a tour of Jump and were given a chance to handle the latest mobile gadgets and devices and experience the latest technologies.

 “Parang wala ka sa Pilipinas, (it’s like being in another country)” said Gonzales of PUP-Manila. Some of the services and devices, he noted, were of the stuff he’d read about, yet never thought he’d see, much more lay his hands on.  “Nag level up na tayo sa technology,” he added. 

Cantor of USEP in Davao City was equally amazed.  “Sana maka-invent din ako ng mga high-tech applications,” she said, citing the PLDT telpad as her favorite since “nag-TV ka na, nakaka-Internet ka pa!”

“Sobrang high ang standard ng technology na set sa Jump,” said Mallorca of TUP-Visayas,  adding that he’d never seen or experienced anything like it before.  “Nakaka-overwhelm,” he added.

The scholarship, which applies to the schoolyear 2011-2012, was offered to full-time graduating students enrolled in engineering or IT courses of state colleges and universities that are members of SWEEP.  Scholarship benefits include the payment of assessed school fees and book allowance per semester and a monthly stipend. 

Launched in 2003, SWEEP is an industry-academe partnership that seeks to improve the level of technology and engineering education in the country, particularly in the field of Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE).

(Published 20 September 2011, Smart Communications, Inc.)