Two-day IT and Dx Conference gears UP officials for Digital Future

Fred Dabu

May 31

Representatives from UP constituent universities across the nation share their experiences and recommendations during a workshop facilitated by Prof. Ricky B. Nellas, Executive Director of the UP Intelligent Systems Center. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPMPRO

Officials of the University of the Philippines (UP) System and constituent universities (CUs) held a two-day conference on May 23-24 to discuss UP's Information Technology (IT) and Digital Transformation (Dx) initiatives.

The goal was to come up with a "unified digital strategy" for the implementation of "All-of-UP" digital transformation as a key to amplifying UP's social impact.

"Responsiveness is the future of our existence, if we are to take to heart our vision to provide transformative education in the service of the nation, and seriously dedicate ourselves to the formation of a citizenry committed to create a just, equitable, and sustainable society," said UP President Angelo A. Jimenez during the conference.

Jimenez also discussed several components of UP's "unified digital strategy" and emphasized that digital transformation is a "lynchpin" for all the programs that his administration has rolled out.

"With Dx, we wish to foster academic excellence in teaching, research, and innovation by embedding advanced learning technologies that cultivate ingenuity and integrity. We also intend to utilize Dx to broaden our collaboration and connectivity with other SUCs, government agencies, and the private sector. We also desire to initiate an Archipelagic and Oceanic Virtual University powered by Dx. We consider Dx as key in making our admissions policy more inclusive, as well as in realizing a more consultative and accountable university governance," he added.

*Dr. Daniel C. Peckley Jr., UP System Vice President for Development, affirms his support for the participants' proposals to improve UP's IT infrastructure. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPMPRO*

Representatives from various CUs and UP System officials discussed the importance of equipping CUs with the necessary human resources, hardware, and software. Participants also conducted workshops on creating a roadmap for growth and integrating IT infrastructure and services across all UP campuses; shared strategies and experiences on enhancing cooperation and knowledge sharing; and exchanged best practices and lessons from digital projects.

They also discussed other important issues in the field, including: how to address real-time organizational challenges; aligning Dx efforts with professional growth, tenure, and succession; and the proposal to create a new organization, the Office of the Vice President for Information Technology and Digital Transformation.

The conference was attended by Dr. Daniel C. Peckley Jr., Vice President for Development; Atty. Abraham Rey M. Acosta, Vice President for Legal Affairs; Dr. Peter A. Sy, Assistant Vice President-Digital Transformation; Prof. Paulo Noel G. Paje, Director of the UP Information Technology Development Center (ITDC); Prof. Johnrob Y. Bantang, Deputy Director for Facilities of the UP Intelligent Systems Center (ISC); Dr. Eugene Rex L. Jalao, Division Head of Artificial Intelligence, UP ISC; Atty. Larry Mapolon, Project Monitoring Group; officials and representatives from UP Baguio, UP Cebu, UP Diliman, UP Los Banos, UP Manila, UP Mindanao, UP Open University, UP Visayas, UP-Philippine General Hospital, UP Tacloban, UP Diliman University Library; and staff members of the Office of the Vice President for Planning and Finance, Office of the Vice President for Development, and the UP Media and Public Relations Office.

The event was held at the Microtel by Wyndham in Diliman, Quezon City. Prof. Ricky B. Nellas, Executive Director of the UP Intelligent Systems Center, served as conference moderator.