The Universidad de Manila (UdM) on Tuesday launched the free use of tablets they received last month from Manila City Mayor Francisco Domagoso and Vice Mayor Maria Sheila Lacuna-Pangan.
UdM’s Information, Communication, and Technology Department headed by Director Francis Atienza, previously conducted a census that determined the Senior High School and College students who have no laptops, tablets, or smartphones.
Based on the census, 78 Senior High School and 112 College students have been identified by UdM, and these students will be given a Samsung tablet for their use this semester.
“Every student who enrolled and uploaded their requirements online had to accomplish a questionnaire. We did the same during the 2nd Semester, AY 2019-2020, to assist our students via peer learning. The census today is a continuation of the effort we have done in the 2nd semester,” Atienza explained.
The “Tablet para sa Mag-aaral ng UdM (TAM-UDM)” was formed to assist students who belong to the “poorest of the poor” category.
Aside from these tablets, UdM will also distribute Prepaid Home Wifi kits which were purchased through UdM President Malou Tiquia’s donation of her salary.
Tiquia also thanked the Mayor for the Samsung tablets to be used by their students.
“We are grateful to the mayor for extending this program to selected UDM students. The rest of the students can have access to these tablets because we plan to put hubs in the libraries of main and downtown campuses so students can use the devices during their free time, all strictly following the public health protocols. We are also studying the option of students who will borrow the units for the semester so that we can provide a wider service to our students,” Tiquia said.
The Universidad de Manila is a 25-year-old local university of the City of Manila established in 1995, with both academic and technical programs catering to 100 percent Manileño.
