In a powerful celebration of technology, collaboration, and forward-thinking education, Enderun Extension officially launched their Tech and Innovation Professional Courses at its Design and Innovation Campus in Estancia Mall, Pasig City. The event marked a significant step toward equipping learners with the tools, certifications, and mindset needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital age.
The event opened with a keynote address by Mr. Daniel Jorge Perez, Chief Operating Officer of Enderun Colleges, who set the tone for the day’s discussions on innovation and lifelong learning. He opened with a thought-provoking proverb: “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, and others set sail.”
Expressing gratitude to Enderun’s exceptional partners, Perez emphasized their shared commitment to launching professional certification programs designed to meet the demands of an ever-changing world. He highlighted the goal of these programs – to help participants upskill, advance their careers, and achieve greater financial success. “At the end of the day,” he concluded, “you’re taking this program as an investment in a better future.”
His remarks were followed by a special message from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Mr. Jimmicio Daoaten, Director IV, ICT Literacy and Competency Development Bureau further underlining the national importance of the initiative, “By working together, we are ensuring that the foundations of our shared future are built with greater accessibility, convenience, and global relevance. Our vision is centered on empowering individuals through strong networks and transformative education.”
The event featured two high-impact panel discussions. The first, “Future-Proofing Careers Through Tech Certifications,” brought together leaders from CompTIA, AWS, Cisco, and Cloudswyft to explore how certifications are opening doors to digital careers worldwide.
One of the panelists, Engr. Ericson Dimaunahan, Director of Operations, Technology, and Analytics at Mapua University, shared, “During the pandemic, we witnessed a surge in new technologies, along with challenges like cybersecurity threats and rapid digital transformation. This highlighted the growing importance of tech literacy and resilience.
The second panel, “Social Innovation and Technopreneurship in the AI Era,” explored how purpose-driven innovation and emerging technologies can address real-world challenges. Panelists from World Vision Philippines, PXD Labs, The Global Citizen Education Group, and the World Economic Forum shared valuable insights on the intersection of technology and social impact.
Darell Sison, Digital IT Manager at World Vision Philippines, highlighted the growing digital divide – one that AI is unfortunately widening. “In community development, where World Vision operates, we’ve seen the digital divide grow – and AI is widening it further. To address this, we’re building digital literacy and mapping tools in underserved areas. Our goal is to create systems that truly serve communities and empower those being left behind to adapt and thrive in a tech-driven world,” he shared.
One of the highlights of the evening was the unveiling of Enderun’s Social Innovation Program – a new initiative designed to foster civic leadership, project management, and systems thinking to drive community impact.
Attendees also received a comprehensive overview of the new Tech and Innovation programs, including the Cybersecurity Track and digital certifications powered by AWS, Cisco, CompTIA, and Microsoft through Cloudswyft. Breakout demo sessions allowed participants to experience hands-on learning guided by industry experts.
The success of the launch was made possible through the generous support of Enderun’s academic and industry partners – namely CompTIA, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, Cloudswyft (representing Microsoft), and The Global Citizen Education Group; supporting organizations including the World Economic Forum and World Vision Philippines; generous sponsors such as the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Education Program Management Division (EPMD) under the ICT Literacy and Competency Development Bureau, and Eurovoutika Robotics and Automation Solutions; and the event’s official media partner, WhenInManila.com.
The evening closed with a celebratory toast led by Dr. Lydia King, Vice President for Academics and Chief Information Officer of Enderun Colleges. Guests were invited to look ahead to a future where innovation, education, and collaboration go hand in hand.
