UP Converge digital talent development partnership builds future Filipino tech leaders
The University of the Philippines and Converge ICT Solutions Inc. have joined forces to prepare the next generation of Filipino tech leaders through a three-year partnership focused on AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.
Signed at Quezon Hall in UP Diliman, the agreement cements a long-term collaboration between academe and industry. It aligns education with the demands of a digital economy and establishes programs that will shape future-ready professionals.
UP President Angelo Jimenez said the partnership marks a new era for Philippine higher education. He described it as a meeting point between academic excellence and industrial innovation.
Converge CEO Dennis Anthony Uy emphasized that the partnership aims to build a strong talent pipeline. He said the company is committed to helping Filipino students lead innovation in both local and global markets.
The collaboration covers artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, smart manufacturing, and digital business. Its phased rollout starts with the Future Forward Management Trainee Program, a nine-month training for graduating students in AI and digital technology.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda praised the initiative, calling it a model for public-private collaboration that strengthens the country’s digital workforce.
Beyond training, the partnership includes hackathons, speaker series, and mentorship sessions. It also plans the creation of a Converge Innovation Lab at UP, a hub for AI research and real-world projects.
Peter Sy, UP Vice President for Digital Transformation, said the partnership empowers students not only to join industries but to create new ones.
The agreement also supports social inclusion through programs for underprivileged but high-potential students. Both institutions will review and expand the partnership annually to keep pace with technological change.
This collaboration represents a milestone in building a stronger, digitally skilled Filipino workforce.
