PLDT, Smart power-up PUP’s pioneer hackathon

PART of its aim in empowering students to produce technology-enabled and purposedriven solutions, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) recently organized the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ (PUP) breakthrough hackathon “Uthack ang Puhunan” to help produce more digitally-savvy citizens.

“Since 2003, we have partnered with colleges and universities in bringing PLDT and Smart’s innovations closer to communities,” said Cathy Yang, first vice president and head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.

“Our 20-year partnership with PUP and our support for their first-ever hackathon has further enabled us to address societal gaps through technology.”

PUP is one of the group’s pioneer partners under the “Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program or SWEEP,” the Philippines’s first and longest-running industry-academe linkage.

From approximately 60 teams of young participants, five teams made it to the final round of the hackathon. They pitched their innovations to a panel of judges composed of PUP mentors, faculty members from the University of Alicante in Spain, and tech leaders such as PLDT, Smart and Samsung Phils.

Reymalyn Jane Compendio, 23, shared how “Team Agrisphere’s” app aims to address the country’s ongoing agricultural challenges through artificial intelligence: “Our main driving force was the vegetable spoilage issue due to oversupply and low demand. We were inspired that we can do something about it, through technology.”

Reniel Bryan De Lumban, 21, a member of “Team Disletra” from PUP-Sta. Mesa, also expressed their key inspiration behind their innovation: “We want to help those with neurodevelopmental disorders— specifically, with dyslexia—live their lives normally via our app. We hope to provide them with a tool that can ease challenges they face.”

As one of the founding members u nder the Digital Infrastructure pillar of the Private Sector Advisory Council, PLDT supports “GoDigital Pilipinas,” which looks at expanding access to digital technologies and narrowing the “digital divide” by promoting digital literacy and building a sustainable digital ecosystem.

The 2023 PUP Hackathon was co-funded by the European Union’s “Erasmus+” program, and co-sponsored by Samsung Phils. Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

The MMDC being digital-first college, this free web app enables applicants to easily complete their college-application forms and enrollment process through their computer or mobile devices. With it, the entire enrollment process can be done anytime and anywhere, even in the comforts of an applicant’s own home, in as little as one day.

Makes enrollment easy

FOLLOWING the submission of an application form for their desired MMDC degree program, applicants will get an email with their MMDC EnrollMate login credentials.

Upon activation of their MMDC EnrollMate account, in a few clicks, applicants can complete MMDC application forms and upload initial documents; take the preliminary problems, projects, and cases assessment; submit mandatory documents required by the Commission on Higher Education; enlist in subjects and choose from morning, afternoon, or evening class schedules; view enrollment fees and select payment options; upload student’s proof of payment; and receive a welcome message upon completion of enrollment

“In support of the needs of today’s learners, the MMDC EnrollMate web app is part of MMDC’s commitment to deliver studentcentric services through various technologies and digital platforms,” said Chester Catilago, MMDC Ed Tech director. “Given the challenges posed by the traditional enrollment processes, this innovation is a significant step in our shared ambition to make Mapúan academic excellence more accessible and affordable for today’s generation of learners.”

AS MMDC requires all students to have a computer to access learning materials and services, students can avail of a laptop device through a lease-to-own agreement that includes additional payment per term. With this program, students will keep their laptop devices after 30 months of payment.

As for the enrollment fee, it includes tuition, academic, and administrative fees; postpaid pocket Wi-Fi with P300 monthly data allocation; free access to all school platforms such as the “Experiential Learning System,” “Wiley-online Library,” and Google Workspace; access to globally recognized curriculum-based courses from LinkedIn Learning and Coursera; student club funding and support; as well as multichannel support for students.

Likewise, future students can discover the gateway to Mapúan academic excellence with the “MMDC Asenso Scholarship.” It is open to all students nationwide but for the first 500 enrollees, grantees can save up to P20,000 on tuition and miscellaneous fees for the entire academic year. Light load, full load, and even those working, are eligible to apply.

Deadline for scholarship application is on August 20, 2023. For more details on the MMDC Asenso Scholarship, visit https:// www.mmdc.mcl.edu.ph/asensoscholarship/. Term 1 Classes for School Year 2023-2024 will begin on August 22, 2023. To apply, visit www.mmdc.mcl.edu.ph.

MMDC continuously innovates to build modern, empowering platforms that hold true to the institution’s purpose. It said that by using its EnrollMate app, “students can enjoy better college experiences, live better lives, and receive the skills and abilities to contribute towards a better country.”