UP, Converge to boost PH digital talent dev’t
The University of the Philippines and Converge ICT Solutions Inc. hatched a three-year strategic partnership to prepare Filipino students for leadership in an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven global economy.
“Today, we witness not merely a ceremony but a symphony: the convergence of two great institutions united in purpose and committed to our nation’s digital future,” says UP president Angelo Jimenez. “This alliance stands at the threshold of transformation where academic aspiration meets industrial innovation, where scholarly pursuit embraces technological achievement.”
The agreement establishes collaboration frameworks across critical technology domains, including AI and machine learning, cloud computing infrastructure, cybersecurity, smart manufacturing and digital business transformation.
The partnership is seen to directly benefit UP students, especially students in the AI program, computer science, computer engineering, electronics engineering and business administration programs.
“This collaboration represents more than skills development. It’s about creating a sustainable pipeline of Filipino technology leaders,” says Dennis Anthony Uy, Converge CEO and cofounder. “Through strategic partnerships like this, we can ensure that Filipino talent not only competes globally but drives innovation domestically.”
Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda hails the partnership as a transformative tool to improve absorptive capacity for various digitalization programs of the government, as well to foster innovation.
Three-phase approach
The partnership begins with exploratory initiatives and deepens integration by 2026.
Phase One launches the “Future Forward Management Trainee Program,” a nine-month pilot targeting graduating students with intensive training in AI, product development and digital technology. This aims to address the critical gap between academic learning and industry application that has long challenged higher education.
It also leverages the strategic relationships of Converge with technology leaders, providing UP students access to best practices that align with global benchmarks in digitalization and competitiveness. This is while maintaining strong foundations in Filipino values and innovation.
Beyond traditional boundaries
Beyond conventional internship models, the partnership introduces innovative collaboration mechanisms, including student competitions and hackathons focused on AI-driven solutions, campus speaker series featuring industry leaders, speed mentoring programs and codeveloped curricula integrating AI with business applications.
The long-term vision includes establishing a “Converge Innovation Lab @ UP”—a dedicated space for research, prototyping and real-world AI applications to serve as a model for industry-academia collaboration.
Peter Sy, UP vice president for digital transformation, says, “We’re not just preparing students for existing jobs—we’re empowering them to create new industries and solutions.”
Addressing national digital competitiveness
The agreement includes provisions for exploring social responsibility programs that will extend opportunities to underserved but high-potential students, ensuring that digital transformation benefits Filipinos from all backgrounds.
Faculty-industry exchange programs will enable UP professors to gain industry insights while providing Converge access to cutting-edge research and academic perspectives, creating an enriching two-way knowledge flow.
The agreement includes annual review mechanisms and extension possibilities.
“This represents the future of Philippine higher education,” says Uy. “When academic excellence meets industry innovation, we create opportunities that serve both student success and national development.”
