Internet cafes eyed as ICT tech-voc training hubs

MANILA, Philippines – A program seeking to tap Internet cafes as hubs for information and communications technology education and training has been launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The pilot area brings the Technology for Economic Development (Tech4Ed) program of the DOST-Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) to the cyber-cafes in Davao City.

The association of Internet cafe owners and operators in the city saw the potential of the Tech4Ed program as a value-added service that can be offered by their shops.

Alexis Bangayan, president of the Internet Cafe Association of Davao City and proprietor of the NetExpress chain of internet cafes in Davao and Cebu cities, said by offering digital and interactive tech-voc courses, Internet cafes would be known not just as places for gaming or web surfing, but also for education. ICAD has 50 members.

Bettina Quimson, DOST-ICTO deputy executive director for e-society, said that ICAD sought their partnership last year when it learned about the Tech4Ed program, which the agency presented to the Davao City ICT Council.

Thirty-six Internet cafe companies have initially joined the partnership with DOST-ICTO under the pilot project.

They have designated at least three computers in each of their Internet cafe branch for Tech4Ed customer-learners.