IT solutions company Accenture has given P80 million in grants to 10 universities and academic institutions in the Philippines to help them conceptualize, run and implement innovative initiatives in emerging technologies, sustainability, and inclusion and diversity.
The universities and academic institutions include Adamson University Technology Business Incubator for Neo-Environmental Science and Technology; Asian Institute of Management Dado Banatao Incubator; Ateneo de Manila University (Ateneo Innovation Center and Ateneo Blockchain Labs); FEU Institute of Technology; Technological Institute of the Philippines-Nurture Innovation Technology Revolution Office; University of Santo Tomas (UST DOST-TOMASInno Center and College of Information and Computing Sciences); University of the Philippines Engineering Research and Development Foundation Inc. with University of the Philippines Sustaining Collaboration in an Advanced Learning Environment (UPSCALE); De La Salle University Animo Labs Foundation Inc.; Miriam College-Technology Business Incubator program; and De La Salle College of Saint Benilde Hub of Innovation.
“This grant program helps build the foundation through which our universities and academic institutions can further develop Filipino technology talent to look ahead to the future and solve pressing challenges using advanced technologies. With the accelerated pace of innovation today, we’re proud to help inspire and motivate our youth to take on this opportunity to learn, experiment and test ideas, and support them as they do it over and over again,” said Arvin Yason, Innovation lead for Accenture Technology in the Philippines.
“This collaboration with Accenture will encourage not only academic research and technologies that foster innovation, but also pave the way for the adoption of these technologies into various industries,” said Valentin Reyes, president of UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation Inc.
The grant will boost Miriam College-Technology Business Incubator program and support second-stage start-ups that are female-led and focused on edutech. It will also provide additional support for senior high school/junior high school programs to encourage female students to sign up for STEM majors.
Among the schools that will get grants under the focus areas of advancing blockchain innovation and solutions, 5G, cloud and other emerging technologies are Adamson University, Asian Institute of Management, Ateneo de Manila University, FEU Institute of Technology, Technological Institute of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, and the University of the Philippines.
“Now more than ever, there is a greater need to bring together the brightest minds and industry experts to help solve real-world problems. By coming together, Ateneo and Accenture will be at the forefront of harnessing education, research and technological innovation that will pivot a future driven by shared values and success, collaboration and sustainability,” said Rodolfo P. Ang, vice president for Administration and Information Systems at Ateneo de Manila University.
De La Salle University will get a grant under the focus area of sustainability, which supports programs that seek to create cross-industry platforms which support sustainability efforts in the country.
With inclusion and diversity also a focus area, Accenture supports the development of female-led technology entrepreneurs and start-ups by the Miriam College and the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde.
“We aim for thought leadership in the development and application of new technologies and innovation in ESG reporting to foster greater industry-academe collaboration toward improved environmental sustainability, greater inclusion and diversity,” said Br. Edmundo Fernandez, FSC, president of De La Salle College of Saint Benilde.
“By continuing our collaboration with leading universities and academic institutions in the Philippines, we are helping to boost the local innovation ecosystem. By supporting on-campus labs and incubators that are embarking on initiatives to accelerate the use of new technologies, develop more sustainable business practices, and foster a more inclusive culture in the technology field, we are helping to nurture the next generation of Filipino technologists that will solve complex business and social challenges in the future,” said Ambe Tierro, Accenture’s Technology lead in the Philippines, Africa and Asia-Pacific.
Yason said the grant is part of a multi-year program which Accenture will introduce to other academic institutions in different parts of the country.