Non-Techie Program leads to ICT4D Certification

As part of the Centennial Celebration of the University of the Philippines, the UP Open University (UPOU) is making available 100 CHED-sponsored scholarships to its Online Bridging Program on the Non-Technical Dimensions of ICT.  These scholarships are intended for the workforce of the Cyber Corridor, an ICT channel that cuts across the Philippines from Baguio City in the North to Zamboanga down south. The online program is offered by the UPOU Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) and is funded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The online bridging program will officially commence on October 1, 2007.  

Though it is well recognized that conventional baccalaureate programs on computer science, computer engineering and information technology adequately cover ICT knowledge and skills, the non-technical or “non-techie” dimensions of ICT inclusive of social impacts, ICT governance, ethics, IPR policies, appropriate use, acceptable use, netiquette and others are, by and large, neglected.  The workforce of our cyber corridors can only claim world class status if they are well grounded on social dimensions of ICT in performing their respective functions.

The online bridging program offered by UPOU FICS aims to empower the Cyber Corridor employee with the ethical, legal and social standards demanded of a  knowledge worker by the global job market.  Successful completion of this program qualifies the participant for an Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) Certification awarded by the UP Open University and CHED. 

The Bridging Program is composed of three courses: Computer Ethics; Social Impacts of ICT; and Intellectual Property Rights.  These courses will be offered online using third generation (3G) eLearning techniques.  Participants are offered the flexibility of engaging in their courses with a virtual community of learners at anytime, from anywhere and at any pace, in a user-friendly learning environment. (Emely M. Amoloza, FICS)