By Louie Morente
MANILA, June 6 (PNA) -– More than 180,000 Filipinos have received computer literacy training under the APEC Digital Opportunity Centers (ADOCs) established across the country by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in collaboration with Taiwan.
Ambassador Gary Song-Huann Lin, Taiwan’s representative to the Philippines, announced this Saturday during the 2015 Taiwan Alumni Association gathering at the SM Jazz Mall in Makati City.
Lin said that Taiwan had spent tireless efforts in promoting digital education exemplified in the establishment of ADOCs in the Philippines and in other member countries as well in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
”Based on our long standing friendship and good will, Taiwan has helped the Philippines set up 17 ADOC Centers, allowing more than 180,000 Filipinos to receive training. Among them, 47.77 % are female. It is a friendly gesture that Taiwan sends to assist young Filipino generation to catch up with the digital era,” Ambassador Lin said.
ADOC is a fully-equipped computer learning center aimed at teaching interested Filipinos from all walks of life basic computer skills to the trickier programming, and other computer skills.
The establishment of ADOCs was initiated by Taiwan, in collaboration with 10 other countries, during the 11th APEC Leaders meeting in Bangkok in 2013.
”It is Taiwan’s way of helping its neighbors, fostering stronger friendship, trade and economic ties with them,” Lin said.
Saturday’s event was attended by some 20 alumni of Taiwan’s post-graduate scholarship program. Started more than 10 years ago, the Taiwan Scholarship Program has benefited more than a hundred Filipino graduates to pursue masteral and doctorate degrees in Taipei.
Lin said some of the alumni members are now teachers, while some set up their own companies, or working for the Philippine government or other private enterprises.
”No matter what you do, I believe that the Taiwan Scholarship Program not only offers you an academic opportunity to pursue higher education in your pursuit of knowledge, but also enables you to embark on an unforgettable and wonderful cross-cultural journey so as to explore the beauty of Taiwan and experience Taiwan’s vibrant culture first hand and, more importantly, feel the stroke of human touch in the Taiwanese way,” the ambassador said.
Lin said the scholars had become “goodwill ambassadors” after discovering and witnessing that, Taiwanese, just like Filipinos, shared so many similarities and common values.
“Through you, more and more Filipinos have come to familiarize that Taiwan is a small island country with a big appeal. You have already made a difference and an impact on the Taiwan-Philippine substantive relationship. I want to thank all of you for the amazing support you have always extended to Taiwan. I am deeply grateful for that. You, as the member of the Taiwan Alumni Association, are fully qualified to be called Taiwan’s Goodwill Ambassadors,” he said.
Lin added that a 16-member university students acting as Taiwan’s “Goodwill Ambassadors” will visit Manila from Sept. 12 to 15, 2015 to showcase their talents in a public performance. (PNA)