Smart to train teachers on mobile apps development

Wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) will hold a four-day training workshop on mobile applications development for faculty members of colleges and universities in a bid to help meet market demand for mobile apps developers.

The SWEEPx Mobile Apps Development project is designed for faculty members in tertiary level schools. It will have its first run at the Angeles University Foundation in Angeles City on August 15 to 20.  Similar training programs will be organized in other educational hubs in other parts of the country over the coming months such as the cities of Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Legazpi, and Davao.

The training will focus on Android mobile apps development.  Industry data has revealed that majority of mobile handsets and tablets in the Philippines run on the Android operating platform.

“SWEEPx aims to help nurture the mobile apps development community by building a bigger base of Android apps developers in our colleges and universities.  There is a growing demand for mobile apps with the increased take-up of smartphones and other mobile devices,” said Ramon R. Isberto, head of Public Affairs at Smart.

“By tapping the creative pool from our schools, we want to make the Philippines a hub for mobile apps development for learning, games and recreation, mobile money, and even for social good,” added Isberto.

SWEEPx is the latest initiative of Smart in the mobile education space, where mobile technologies and content are utilized to help further expand learning opportunities for target learning communities.  For this initiative, Smart will promote skills development among the teachers and familiarize them with the latest technology trends in this highly digitized environment.

Research firm IDC predicts smartphone adoption in the country will rise 22 percent year-on-year in 2014. In 2013, market analyst GfK reported a 42-percent jump in smartphone sales.

IDC said the sustained demand for smartphones will lead to a consequent increase in mobile apps usage among Filipinos.  IDC said demand for more localized apps and those that cater to the interests of Philippine consumers will further increase, opening up huge opportunities for mobile apps developers in the country.

“With SWEEPx, we want to help build and expand the skills of the faculty members of our colleges and universities.  This initiative is in line with our efforts to sustain learning among our teachers and keep them abreast with the latest trends in mobile technologies,” said Stephanie Orlino, senior manager and head of education programs at Smart Public Affairs.

“This will also help colleges and universities come up with course offerings that are relevant to the needs of the marketplace,” added Orlino.

Guided by the principle of matching the technology platform to the partner community’s context, Smart has been instituting various initiatives under its Smart Schools Program that aim to enhance Philippine education.