The Philippines aims to Develop Blockchain education via Decentralized Innovation Centers

Executive director of the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology. Dr. Enrico Paringit announced that he will encourage blockchain courses and classes in universities.

“We want to increase the knowledge and skills of our workforce to develop the use of blockchain by teaching our students the skills in universities. We need to use and adopt blockchain even in the government sector,” Paringit said at the recent Nascent Technology Summit organized by Digital Pilipinas (DP).

Dr. Paringit works mainly in the department’s Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).

The DP and DOST-PCIEERD have signed a memorandum of understanding that will establish university-based innovation centers across the country. The agreement follows the formation of a partnership between Mapúa University, DOST-PCIEERD, and Digital Pilipinas; where the tripartite launched the Think and Tinker Laboratory – Technology and Business Incubation program.

According to the partnership, the TBI program is the pilot project for university-based innovation centers to promote education, industry, and government collaboration with blockchain and other emerging technologies.

Fortunato de la Peña, secretary of DOST, Dr. Paringit, and DP convenor Amor Maclang were the signatories for this deal.

Maclang emphasized the possible applications for blockchain in education as knowledge in it could aid in a student’s credentials.

“One critical use of blockchain in education is record keeping. Blockchain can remove much of the process associated with this and streamline verification procedures, saving the school and educators valuable time,” Maclang said.

“This year, we want to emphasize micro education and micro education. The country’s education system has shifted tremendously. We no longer see our children taking up the traditional four or eight-year college courses but instead look at technological skills that are easy to acquire, with immediate certification,” Maclang added.

Todd Schweitzer, an employee at the finance technology solution provider Brankas, notes that the Philippines is a major target for Web 3.0 as several digital banks offer investment opportunities.

According to Schweitzer, 70% of the adult population does not have a bank, and although many have a bank account they remain underserved

“They get their salary, and they take the money out. With the growth of play-to-earn games such as Axie infinity, we see a lot of Filipinos, especially younger ones, building wealth with the use of cryptocurrencies and providing APIs that allow the growth of these economies using blockchain technology. Web 3.0 plays a significant role in decentralizing and democratizing assets,” he said.

Blockchain data platform, Chanalysis noted that the Philippines was the 3rd highest adopter of digital assets in SEA last year.

Source: BeInCrypto, Manila Bulletin