University News

Fujitsu GDC Philippines turns over laptops for EOW

Jan Vincent Lanuza, News, Communication Management Office

Education on Wheels (EOW) received 25 laptops from Fujitsu Global Delivery Center (GDC) Philippines in a formal turnover ceremony held on March 3 at the Silid Lakan Dayang/Pulungan at the University Library. Executive from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and top officials from Fujitsu signed a Deed of Donation to formalize the engagement.

PUP Open University System (OUS) Executive Director Dr. Rudolf Anthony A. Lacerna, in his opening remarks, expressed his gratitude for the donations given by Fujitsu and their commitment on helping the Iskolar ng Bayan secure a better future and expanding the EOW program.

“Taos-pusong pasasalamat sa Fujitsu Global Delivery Center Philippines sa inyong walang-sawang suporta sa adbokasiya ng PUP Education on Wheels. Kaya, sama-sama tayong magtataguyod sa mas maliwanag na kinabukasan. Nawa ay magkasama-sama pa rin tayo sa biyaheng ito papunta sa mas magandang kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayang Pilipino,” Director Lacerna said.

(Heartfelt gratitude to Fujitsu Global Delivery Center Philippines for your unwavering support for the advocacy of PUP Education on Wheels. Together, let us continue to pave the way for a brighter future. May we remain united in this journey toward a better future for our fellow Filipinos.)

Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Emanuel C. De Guzman, while acknowledging Fujitsu’s efforts in making a big difference, stated the role of distance education opportunities such as EOW in alleviating “poverty consciousness” or the belief of an individual that he/she is destined to struggle financially, and that success is difficult to obtain.

“Ang ganitong uri ng edukasyon ay magsisilbing pagbubukas ng maraming mga daan papunta roon sa pagbabago ng ating buhay, at the same time, ay pagtingin sa ating mundo at saka sa ating lipunan,” VP De Guzman remarked.

(This kind of education will serve as an opening for many pathways toward transforming our lives, and at the same time, a way of understanding our world and our society.)

Cloud & DX | DWP Country Lead of Fujitsu DGC Philippines Dennis Crisostomo reasserted the organization’s dedication in supporting EOW as its advocacy aligns to their company values.

“In Fujitsu, we are being guided by our commitment to making social impact ang making sure that it’s just not about the business. We make sure that we help the society and the people because we’re helping our business by helping the society to be more sustainable and that’s where our mantra is,” Crisostomo noted.

Crisostomo then advised the EOW students to use their laptops wisely and properly as these will be their “enablers of success in the digital world.”

Accepting the gifts, University President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi thanked the partners for their contribution in this partnership that centers on improving the learning experience of EOW students, saying “ang Fujitsu Philippines ay lumapit po sa atin at kami ay lumapit din kami sa inyo. Naniwala kayo at nagtitiwala kayo sa aming mga adhikain at sa mga goals namin na ang edukasyon ay isang malaking oportunidad para ma-transform ang kalagayan ng ating mga estudyante. Hindi po kayo nagkamali na suportahan ang mga programang kagaya ng EOW.”

(Fujitsu Philippines reached out to us, and we also reached out to you. You believed in us and trusted our vision—that education is a great opportunity to transform the situation of our students. You were not mistaken in supporting programs like EOW.)

Aside from the speakers, attending for Fujitsu GDC Philippines were Business Unit Head Rodrigo Magdamit, Employee Experience Lead and Global Responsible Business Country Lead Kyra Reyes, Associate Technical Service Engineer Tristan Nerveza, Senior Application Systems Engineer/Consultant Jennifer Cua, and other company representatives while Vice President for Student Affairs and Services Tomas O. Testor, Institute of Non-Traditional Study Program (NTSP) and Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Director Jonathan U. Florida, and members of the Communication Management Office led by Director Emy Ruth D. Gianan were present for the proceedings.

After the turnover of the school supplies, a photo opportunity was held, followed by a Basic Laptop Training where the partners taught the students ways on how to operate, utilize, and care for the gifted laptops.

With this donation, PUP reaffirms its dedication to expanding and fostering partnerships that aid more underprivileged Iskolar ng Bayan through EOW, ensuring the University’s vision and mission of affordable, quality, and inclusive education are fulfilled.

_{(Note: English translation generated from AI.)}