Reimagining education through technology
The ‘Digital Horizons’ conference highlights the role of digitalization in expanding access to learning
The “Digital Horizons: The Future of Philippine Education” conference brought together forward-thinking leaders and innovators to explore how technology can revolutionize learning in the Philippines. The discussion centered on the role of digital tools in enhancing education, expanding access, and preparing future generations for a rapidly evolving global workforce.
The event was organized by Kaya Founders, an early-stage venture capital firm, in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), and was held on October 1, 2024 at the Manila Polo Club.
Among the thought leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs who shared insights on the latest trends in education technology were Secretary of Education and former Senator Sonny Angara, Rangga Husnaprawira of GovTech Edu in Indonesia, and Peter Maquera of Microsoft Philippines.
Also sharing invaluable insights were Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng of Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF), Arianne-Kader Cu of U-Go, and Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine of Khan Academy Philippines.
“Education is rooted in tradition, but there is a way forward, and that starts with applying the principles of innovation and disruption we see in tech,” said Paolo Vera, an entrepreneur in residence at Kaya Founders who spearheaded the conference.
Vera, a 26-year-old Stanford graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Public Policy, is passionate about leveraging technology to reshape the country’s education system. He emphasized the importance of adopting a start-up mentality when addressing the educational system’s challenges.
Bridging the gap with tech
In his talk during the conference, Husnaprawira shared his experience in bringing digital tools to empower over three million educators in his home country. Gokongwei-Cheng of GBF discussed the need for a scalable, human-centric platform for educators. Their contributions highlighted the potential of public-private partnerships in advancing education.
For Vera, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing issues to address. “We’re an archipelago and many remote areas still lack access to quality education. Technology can change that.”
He referred to successful initiatives like Khan Academy Philippines, led by Acuña-Sunshine, which provides high-quality online learning resources nationwide.
These platforms can bring modern education to remote regions without the limitations of physical infrastructure.
Vera also praised conference speaker Kader Cu, whose work with the U-Go empowers teachers to become change agents in their communities. Also heavily discussed during the conference is the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, covered by Maquera of Microsoft, who introduced the audience to digital tools designed to assist teachers with lesson planning, content creation, and even grading.
Vera’s vision for Philippine education is clear: technology must play a central role in revolutionizing how Filipinos learn. His background in the Philippines and abroad has given him a unique perspective on the country’s education challenges. This understanding drives his commitment to finding innovative solutions to bridge the gap between privilege and access, especially for the middle class.
The presence of education secretary and former senator Sonny Angara at the conference further underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in driving progress. Angara has been a vocal advocate for integrating technology into the country’s education system.
Among the event sponsors include Cambridge Children’s Learning and Development Centre, D&L Industries, Empowering Brilliant Minds Foundation, Far Eastern University, Fintech Alliance PH, McDonald’s Philippines, Metrobank Foundation, Microsoft Philippines, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, and Thynker Tech.
Looking ahead, Vera and his team at Kaya Founders are already planning more events focused on driving innovation in other sectors, such as health and agriculture. He firmly believes that the Philippines is on the cusp of a digital revolution, and the education sector stands to benefit the most from it.
