VIGAN CITY, July 25 (PIA) -- Aimed at strengthening quality and access of learning resources to its students, the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) here have begun to implement smart classroom approaches.

Even before the pandemic, UNP President Erwin Cadorna said the university has established various projects to address the priority areas in internet connectivity and learning management systems (LMS).

In partnership with the PLDT, 1,000 MBPS internet connection was installed in the entire campus.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) also provided two 10 MBPS internet connectivity for use by faculty and students.

He added the campus-wide interconnectivity project is halfway in the installation of mixed network topology of cabled and wireless connection to interconnect all buildings for access to the internet and other information systems of the university.

As for the LMS, the components needed for the customized institutionalized LMS are already delivered and are nearing its completion whereas trainers' training shall follow.

For now, the campus is using a unified virtual platform – the Google Classroom, for their online classes.

President Cadorna also announced that aside from these approaches, students and faculty will enjoy more innovations as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) selected the campus as one of its recipients of the P25 million grant under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

Cadorna said they will use the grant for the implementation of the university’s smart campus innovation project to facilitate operational efficiency in the campus.

“This aims to enhance delivery of education by delivering stakeholder-tailored services and learning modules, courseware, simulations, certifications exams, and learning  content through an efficient use of e-learning and education 4.0, specifically in the domain of Engineering, ICT, Business and Marketing, Nursing, Automotive, Criminology, and Natural Sciences,” he said.

This will also train administrators, faculty, mentors, and students alike in the efficient operation, delivery, and usage of the Smart Campus Society software and courseware.

Aside from students having access to the LMS platform and modules 24/7, the courseware components allow students to take certification exams that are available in a variety of paths to add these to their repertoire as a way of demonstrating their skillset.

He added that this is one of the best components of the project as various companies in the industry may require their graduates to complete certifications as a pre-requisite for the position being applied for.

“Certifications are not only incredibly beneficial to an alumni’s career growth but they are shown to support job retention,” Cadorna said.

Nine colleges shall benefit from these innovations while four colleges shall also receive a fourth generation 98” smart e-blackboard each. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)