MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Eyeing to transform into a smart campus in the future, the Mindanao State University (MSU) has embarked on an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) modernization program.

Funded through the Presidential Discretionary Fund, the P2 Billion program covers the modernization of the university data center, campus management system, learning management system, provision of laptops to all faculty and students including some of the administrative employees, and boosting its internet connectivity.

MSU System President Habib W. Macaayong said the program also includes the construction and installation of necessary IT equipment and facilities.

"These are the construction of a new audio-visual room, creation of an E-library, creation of E-classrooms in all colleges, the creation of integrated laboratory schools, and the installation of the internal CCTVs," he said during his State of University Address, Wednesday, October 27.

A total of 15,00 laptops were already distributed to students and employees under the program. The 500 units were distributed during the first phase of the program implementation while around 14,500 units were released during the second phase of the program of which 10,444 are for students and  3,103 are for MSU employees.

500 desktops and a number of Smart TVs will also be given to the office and colleges of the university.

The MSU system is also gearing to upgrade its internet connectivity. Yellow hoses, the protective cases for the installation of wirings that boost internet speed up to 1GB per second, are being installed underground. 

Moreover, multiple nodes connecting the whole campus via hybrid fiber optics and wireless backbone are now being created as well.

Macaayong assured that MSU's ICT modernization will continue in the coming years covering the construction of the IT buildings in all external units or Community High Schools of the university.  (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)