Keeping up with the latest in information technology is now much easier and affordable even to the average Filipino with the recent launch of Microsoft Philippines and Netopia’s e-learning program.
The program, which is divided into 16 short computer courses, can be completed by a participant in just 12 hours for P500 only in any of Netopia’s 163 branches nationwide.
George Tan, president of Digital Paradise Inc. (Netopia), said the “Angat Ka! sa Microsoft at Netopia” campaign aims to provide opportunities among the youth, students and professionals to further improve their technology skills.
Tan stressed that by completing the e-learning program at Netopia Internet cafés, participants become certified online in core and advanced computer concepts.
“Majority of our customers are college students and young professionals and it’s good that we have this program with Microsoft that we could offer to them that is both educational and useful, especially when they start looking for jobs,” Tan said during the formal launch of the program at the Netopia branch at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City recently.
The program’s 16 courses include knowledge and skills training in computer basics, the Internet, productivity programs, computer security, digital lifestyle and more detailed courses on the Microsoft Windows operating systems — Windows XP, Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system.
Portal
Enrollees in the e-learning portal can opt to go through the courses from the fundamentals, progressing to the more advance lessons, or select the various learning styles and topics through the portal interactive and user-friendly interface.
“Each completed course will be saved in the enrolees’ online profile, which can be accessed with a Windows Live ID. All the courses can be accomplished in a matter of 12 hours, only at the cost of Netopia’s standard Internet surfing hourly rate,” Tan said.
A course can be finished in one and a half hours, which means the payment could be between P40 and P60 per course. The participant can just go back every now and then at any convenient time to any Netopia branch until he finishes all the courses.
To reach as many students as possible, the program developers said they are thinking of “bund-ling the entire program.”
For his part, Michael Rawding, vice president of Microsoft Corp.’s Unlimited Potential Group, said, “Technology enables people to reach their full potential — be it in personal or professional endeavors. Knowledge and skills in Microsoft technology are an added bonus in the workplace, and that’s why we aim to provide training in our widely used products that will be available, accessible and affordable to customers.”
Rawding said the birth of the program meant the expansion of their efforts to reach more people around the world so they can benefit from the technology revolution
He added: “Through collaboration with industry and government partners, we aim to bring technology training closer to Filipinos… Internet cafés in the Philippines are very popular and we are happy to be partnering with Netopia, the leading Internet café chain in the country, in this new project, which we hope would help young Filipinos improve their computer skills for a better chance at getting good jobs.”
Those who complete the courses have to take a Microsoft certification exam, which tests proficiency in computer basics and the various Microsoft productivity programs.
The added credential of a Microsoft certificate could prove useful to students and professionals who want to increase their opportunities to achieve personal and career goals.
“The program will allow our customers to become knowledgeable in the latest Microsoft products, and its various tools and functions that will help them become productive. Since it is Web-based, the enrollees can take the courses while surfing the Web or chatting,” Tan said.