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 Thank you so much for the training opportunity you gave us last year. We have been progressing very well. We have two labs in our only public school running on Fedora Core 5 LTSP. We also have three of our biggest grade schools doing the same thing. Our back end service is using Xen and FC5. |
- Warren Fukuichi
Palau Ministry of Education
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Follow Us  Twitter is a real-time information network that lets you share and discover what’s happening now. Join today and follow @bluepointph. | | Position Statement of Bluepoint Foundation on House Bill No. 1716 Monday, Dec 15, 2008, 6:36 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Eddie Salonga
Organization: Bluepoint Foundation
Telephone Number: 534-1077
Fax Number: 534-5873
Email Address: eddie@bluepoint.com.ph
Website: http://bluepoint.com.ph/
Bluepoint is a non-profit Open Source education and development center. It is the first organization in the Philippines to focus on Linux and Open Source training.
We believe that FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) is inherently superior to non-FOSS. The choice is a "no-brainer" for an adequately educated person. Consequently, all that FOSS needs in order to thrive is a level playing field.
The two main obstacles to widespread FOSS adoption in the Philippines are: 1) ignorance and; 2) corruption.
Ignorance
FOSS is rarely advertised or referred to in the mainstream media. Why? There is no financial incentive. No one would profit by it. Thus, the majority of our people do not know about it. On the other hand, our academic community in general is fairly knowledgable about FOSS. Secondary and Tertiary public education needs to give equal time, at the least, to FOSS.
Corruption
How much money would "kickbacks" for government contracts involving FOSS amount to? A well-calculated percentage of zero? As usual, tighter controls are needed to be put in place in order to stem the tide of corruption in purchases made with public funds.
This bill, HB1716, should not mandate the use of FOSS, but only mandate that FOSS solutions should be given the same chances and opportunities as proprietary ones, especially in biddings. Yes, do mandate open standards and formats as much as practically possible. Yes, do encourage development and use of FOSS. All these should be done in the public sector only. The private sector is already well on its way in adopting FOSS on its own terms and at its own pace -- let's leave it be. |
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Software Freedom Day Brings NGO, Government, Education, Private Sectors Together Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008, 12:00 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Irene Orense-Balaoing
Organization: Bluepoint Foundation
Telephone Number: 534-1077
Fax Number: 534-5873
Email Address: irene@bluepoint.com.ph
Website: http://bluepoint.com.ph/sfd08/
METRO MANILA - Bluepoint Linux Users Elite (BLUE) in cooperation with the Commission on Information & Communications Technology-National Computer Center (CICT-NCC), Advanced Science & Technology Institute (ASTI), and Bluepoint Foundation celebrated Software Freedom Day along with more than 500 teams in over 90 countries all around the world last September 20th at the National Computer Center, University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.
Software Freedom Day (SFD) is the annual worldwide celebration of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). The goal in this celebration is to educate the worldwide public about the benefits of using high quality FOSS in education, in government, at home, and in business.
Over 500 attendees joined the Fedora Ambassadors Philippines, LinuxChix Philippines, Slackware Linux Users Group Philippines (SLUGPhils), Philippine Linux Windows Users Group (PH-LWUG), Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration & Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV), Philippine Linux Users Group (PLUG), One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Philippines, Novare Technologies, Computerworld Philippines, Sun Microsystems, and Trend Micro in the 8AM to 6PM event.
"We were all pleasantly surprised by the large number of attendees" said Marie Grace Gaffud-Antonio, Executive Director of Bluepoint Foundation. "Our initial estimate was a maximum of 150 participants but we experienced an overflow crowd, with some people coming all the way from provinces up north." A total of three NCC venues were required for the standing room plenary and technical sessions. “Bluepoint and NCC are happy with the turnout of today’s FOSS awareness campaign. Attendees are looking forward to using FOSS in their schools and offices. Sponsors have already expressed their support for next year's SFD” she added.
Former Senate President Jovito Salonga led the invocation and NCC Director General and CICT Commissioner Angelo Timoteo Diaz de Rivera delivered the opening remarks. Linuxcare founder Arthur Tyde delivered the keynote and talked about Oracle's Unbreakable Linux. The morning plenary session was capped by presentations about Open Source for the Visually Impaired, SM's Open Source Experience, IPv6, and the Fedora Project.
Experts from ASTI, Novare, PH-LWUG, and SLUGPhils discussed Desktop Linux from Scratch, J2ME Applications Development on Netbeans, Open Source Network Access Controller, and Robotics with Slackware Linux during the afternoon technical sessions. A tune-up session for Codefest contestants and judges was also held at the NCC Digital Media Arts Development laboratory in preparation for BLUE's on-the-spot programming contest in October.
Attendees enjoyed freebies from the exhibit booths set up at NCC lobby by PLUG, PH-LWUG, SLUGPhils, Fedora Project, LinuxChix Philippines, National Computer Institute (NCI), Computerworld Philippines, OLPC Philippines, ASTI, and Sun Microsystems. |
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Philippines Joins Worldwide Celebration of Software Freedom Day Thursday, Aug 21, 2008, 12:00 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Eddie Salonga
Organization: Bluepoint Foundation
Telephone Number: 534-1077
Fax Number: 534-5873
Email Address: eddie@bluepoint.com.ph
Website: http://bluepoint.com.ph/sfd08/
METRO MANILA - Bluepoint Linux Users Elite (BLUE) in cooperation with the Commission on Information & Communications Technology-National Computer Center (CICT-NCC), Advanced Science & Technology Institute (ASTI), and Bluepoint Foundation will celebrate Software Freedom Day with the rest of the world from 9AM to 5PM on September 20, 2008 at the CICT-NCC Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.
Software Freedom Day (SFD) is the annual worldwide celebration of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). The goal in this celebration is to educate the worldwide public about the benefits of using high quality FOSS in education, in government, at home, and in business.
SFD is a public education effort, not only to celebrate the virtues of Free and Open Source Software, but also to encourage its use to the benefit of the public.
Joining the celebration at the NCC are: Fedora Ambassadors Philippines, LinuxChix Philippines, Slackware Linux Users Group Philippines (SLUGPhils), Philippine Linux Windows Users Group (PH-LWUG), Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration & Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV), and Novare Technologies.
For last year's SFD, the same organizers conducted a day-long series of technical seminars. College students, faculty members, IT professionals, and government employees participated in the successful celebration.
"This year's celebration will definitely be more interactive" according to Kim Murga, SFD Team Leader. "Students from different universities have already signed up for the live programming and original FOSS project contests of our Codefest. They will also have the chance to participate in international FOSS projects and give back to the Open Source community."
Aside from the NCC event, there will also be simultaneous celebrations nationwide by ACOES, Asia Source Pilipinas, Computer Professionals' Union, Cordillera Linux Advocacy Network, DabaweGNU, FOSS USM, FreeIT, GNUinext, Iloilo Linux Users, IT Soc, Junior Programmers Group, Mindanao Open Source Society, UnPLUG, and UP-ACM.
Interested parties are invited to pre-register online at http://bluepoint.com.ph/sfd08/. Registration is free. |
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Bluepoint Receives Citation from ATRIEV Wednesday, Dec 5, 2007, 6:00 PM
Bluepoint is a non-profit Open Source education and development center. It is the first organization in the Philippines that focuses on Linux and Open Source training.
Bluepoint seeks to enhance the IT skills of Filipinos by providing globally competitive Open Source education through (1) advocating, (2) educating people in, and (3) developing Open Source software through trainings, seminars, fund-raising events, research, and development.
ATRIEV’s Project Officer, Rene Orense, has been privileged to join two training programs of Bluepoint: Teachers Using Linux to Augment the Youth (TULAY) and Extreme PHP. He is now planning to implement his learnings in the ATRIEV system.
ATRIEV also plans to work with Bluepoint in the development of a screen reader software that works with open source. If and when this dream will come true, more Filipinos will have access to computer-based information.
From the very words of the movers behind Bluepoint Foundation: “We are committed to excellent service, innovation, diversity, creativity, honesty, and integrity. Our accountability is to God.” |
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Bluepoint-SIGMA Saturday, Aug 18, 2007, 4:00 PM
Bluepoint formalizes trade testing agreement with Saudi Investment Group and Marketing (SIGMA). |
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Bluepoint Foundation Offers Free Linux Training to Public High Schools Wednesday, Mar 15, 2006, 5:45 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dominique Cimafranca
Organization: Bluepoint Foundation
Telephone Number: 534-1077
Fax Number: 534-5873
Email Address: dominique_cimafranca@yahoo.com
Website: http://bluepoint.com.ph/tulay/
METRO MANILA - Bluepoint Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit education and development center focused on free and open source software, will offer free training on Linux and other open source applications to public high school teachers as part of its Tulay Project. The first batch of the program will run from April 24 to 28, 2006
According to Magie Antonio, Bluepoint's program director for Tulay, the training is geared towards equipping public school teachers with the skills to deliver relevant IT training, a component lacking in many school computerization projects. "While many public high schools are frequently beneficiaries of computer donations, these usually take the form of hardware only," said Antonio.
Through the Tulay Project, Bluepoint will train teachers and school personnel on various free, Open Source productivity and development tools. Thus trained, these teachers and school personnel can then disseminate their knowledge to other teachers, school personnel, and most importantly, students, in what will be a wave of knowledge that will spread within their school system.
Bluepoint will also help public school teachers develop an IT training curriculum that fits their objectives and capabilities. By means of reusable template material, IT education experts at Bluepoint will work hand in hand with the teachers to draw up a relevant and achievable program of IT education for their students.
The program makes extensive use of Linux and free and Open Source software. Covered in the training will be the use of Linux, OpenOffice.org, Firefox, and application development tools.
The Tulay Project is initially open to public high schools in the Mandaluyong area. Deadline for submission of application forms is on March 21, 2006. Interested participants may call Bluepoint at 534-1077, e-mail tulay@bluepoint.com.ph, or visit http://bluepoint.com.ph/tulay/ for details. |
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Bluepoint Discontinues Red Hat Training and Certification Friday, Feb 28, 2003, 12:00 AM
Due to fundamental and irreconcilable differences, Bluepoint Institute and Red Hat Asia-Pacific will terminate their partnership effective February 28, 2003. Bluepoint will continue to use Red Hat Linux, as well as other Linux distributions, for its Total Linux and other Open Source training programs and development projects. For more information about Red Hat training and certification, please visit www.redhat.com/training/. |
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Two Bluepoint Students Get Scholarships Friday, Dec 27, 2002, 12:00 PM
Philippine Star - December 27, 2002
Rucel Javier and Eric Jancinal, students of the Bluepoint Institute of Higher Technology, received a check worth 500 Canadian dollars from Owen King, Philippine representative of the FilNet Information Technology Society (FilNet), last November 29, 2002 after they were named recipients of this year's FilNet Scholarship Awards Program. The FilNet Information Technology Society, a non-profit organization incorporated in British Columbia, Canada, recognizes the importance of information technology and the need for IT professionals in today's world. Hence, FilNet saw the need to promote IT as a viable career among today's youths and to support those who intend to pursue an IT career. For these reasons, FilNet established the scholarship awards program which annually grants financial awards to deserving candidates in the Philippines and Canada. The awarding was witnessed by Luli Arroyo of the Foundation for IT Education and Development (FIT-ED); and Magie Antonio and Eddie Salonga, both from the Bluepoint Institute of Higher Technology. |
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FilNet and FIT-ED Scholarship Friday, Nov 29, 2002, 4:00 PM
FilNet and FIT-ED award RH302 scholarships to Bluepoint scholars. |
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Bluepoint Signs MOA with Congress Wednesday, Oct 2, 2002, 10:00 PM
Bluepoint and the Philippine House of Representatives signed a Memorandum of Agreement for Open Source training scholarships today. The agreement was formalized by Roberto Nazareno and Magie Antonio and witnessed by Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr. and Eddie Salonga. Under the MOA, Bluepoint was able to provide free Linux and PHP training to Fernan Bayate (Total Linux), Joseph Javillo (Total Linux), Lolita Angeles (PHP Programming), Eduardo Damian Jr. (PHP Programming), and Dahlia Villacorte (Linux Fundamentals), members of the House of Representatives Information and Communication Technology Service. |
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Bluepoint Offers Red Hat Training and Certification Monday, Feb 18, 2002, 12:00 AM
Bluepoint Offers Red Hat Training and Certification
by Jennifer B. Simes, Staff Writer
Computerworld Philippines - February 18, 2002
BLUEPOINT Institute of Higher Technology Foundation Inc. has begun offering Red Hat Linux training and its certified engineer programs this year as a result of a training partnership signed between the two organizations in November 2001.
Under the agreement, the Bluepoint Institute has been appointed as a certified training partner of Red Hat Inc. in the Philippines, allowing it to offer and conduct a wide range of training courses designed for all levels of Red Hat Linux users.
These courses include: Introduction to Red Hat Linux (RH033); Red Hat Linux System Administration (RH133); Red Hat Linux Networking and Security Admin (RH253); Red Hat Certified Engineer Course (RH300); and Red Hat Certified Engineer-Exam Only sessions (RH302).
Magie Antonio, executive director of Bluepoint Institute, told Computerworld Philippines that the collaboration with Red Hat in offering RHCE programs in the country makes professional training opportunities available to Filipino Linux systems and software professionals.
"Filipino Linux enthusiasts need not go abroad to study Linux and get certified there because we now offer it locally," said Antonio. "These Linux training and certification programs will also help them gain employment in the Linux marketplace."
In a formal launching last week, Liam Mulhall, regional manager of Red Hat GLS, Asia Pacific, said the country is now a major training hub for the company with the signing of the partnership with Bluepoint Institute. He added it will also complement the support and distribution channels Red Hat had developed here over the last two quarters.
"This is really in line with one of our priorities in the Asia Pacific region, which is to increase Red Hat certified engineers in the Philippines and in other Southeast Asian countries," Mulhall added.
Bluepoint Institute will also offer the RHCE course at a fee of $700, the lowest RHCE course fee in the world.
"The RHCE course usually cost around $2,498 but we have managed to bring it down to $700 so Filipino Linux professionals can afford it," she said.
Chris Sharp, sales director of Red Hat GLS Asia Pacific, explained that the course fee is based on the economic situation and financial capabilities of each country chosen to become an education partner.
He also clarified that the partnership is not an exclusive one. "To make it exclusive will be going against the tenets of open source itself. But we have provided a period of one year to measure how our relationship with Bluepoint Institute will work. This way, we can evaluate if the partnership will go on or not."
Mulhall added that Red Hat is not looking for multiple partnerships for its training programs either. "We want to foster growth instead of hindering it. So we choose only one organization to ensure that the best education will be provided to Linux users."
He said Bluepoint Institute has passed several criteria that Red Hat looks for in an education partner -- ability, skills, geographical coverage as well as the attitude toward open source technologies.
"Another criterion would be the networking reach. Bluepoint has considerable linkages with various government units, educational institutions and industry associations. And this capability will ensure that our courses are made widely available throughout the Philippines," Mulhall added.
Engels Antonio, chief technology officer of Bluepoint Institute, said Bluepoint Institute plans to bring the Red Hat training courses and certification programs to the provinces by the second and third quarter of this year.
"It will be sort of a roadshow in provinces and cities like Cebu and Tacloban. So that Linux enthusiasts in the provinces don't have to go to Manila to study the Red Hat courses. This way, they will also save on transportation," said Antonio.
Antonio, a Red Hat certified engineer and also a faculty member at Bluepoint Institute, said they have graduated the first batch of the RHCE program with three of the attendees passing the certification exam and becoming RHCEs. The new RHCEs will also teach and handle the Red Hat training courses at Bluepoint Institute.
In terms of expectations, Red Hat's Sharp said that aside from catering to the Red Hat Linux training demand of the Philippines, he hopes the partnership with Bluepoint Institute will also identify other Red Hat opportunities in the country, particularly in the product support area.
"Eventually, we hope to see Bluepoint offering other courses in development, e-business, security and embedded programs on Red Hat Linux," Mulhall added.
http://www.itnetcentral.com/article.asp?id=8110 |
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Red Hat to Offer Linux Training and Professional Certification Programs in the Philippines Wednesday, Feb 13, 2002, 12:00 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Liam Mulhall
Organization: Red Hat, Inc.
Telephone Number: +1 919 754 4268
Fax Number: +1 919 301 3002
Email Address: lmulhall@redhat.com
Website: http://www.redhat.com/about/news/prarchive/2002/press_philippines.html
Addressing the increasing use of Linux for business internet applications and enterprise network functionality, Red Hat and Bluepoint Institute of Higher Technology Foundation expand the scope of Linux education opportunities in the Philippines.
AUSTRALIA - Red Hat, Inc. (Nasdaq:RHAT), the leader in developing, deploying and managing Open Source solutions, announced today that Bluepoint Institute of Higher Technology Foundation, Inc. will be offering its Linux training and acclaimed RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer) programs throughout the Philippines. The programs will extend the scope of professional training opportunities available to Linux systems and software professionals and position them to take greater advantage of the expanding Linux marketplace.
"Broadening our coverage in South East Asia has long been on the horizon for Red Hat", said Liam Mulhall, Regional Manager, Global Learning Services, Asia Pacific. "The Philippines is now a major hub for us, with the partnership complimenting the support and distribution channels we have developed over the last 2 quarters. Bluepoint has the ability, skills and geographical coverage to assist us in achieving our long term strategy for the Philippines."
"We have been providing comprehensive Linux training since 1999 and are delighted to collaborate with Red Hat in offering RHCE programs throughout the Philippines," said Magie Antonio, Executive Director, Bluepoint Institute of Higher Technology Foundation. "Filipinos are showing increased interest in lowering IT deployment and maintenance cost by deploying Linux-based solutions for their systems and networks. By working together, Bluepoint and Red Hat are able to offer first-rate, cost-effective Linux training and certification programs to meet these growing enterprise requirements."
About the RHCE certifications program:
RHCE's must pass a performance-based exam that tests actual competencies in Linux systems and network administration on live computer equipment. Established in January of 1999, the RHCE program is the oldest Red Hat Linux certification curriculum and the only performance-based certification program for any OS.
Over 16,000 people have taken an official Red Hat training course in the RHCE track. More than 6,700 students have taken the RHCE Exam, and 3,500 have received RHCE certification.
For more information on the RHCE program, course descriptions and facility locations, please see http://www.redhat.com/training.
PRICING OF COURSES
RH033- US$400 (Red Hat Linux Essentials- 4 days)
RH133- US$400 (Red Hat Linux Systems Administration- 4 days)
RH253- US$450 (Red Hat Linux Networking and Administration- 4 days)
RH300- US$700 (Red Hat Certified Engineer Course- 5 days)
RH302- US$250 (Red Hat Certified Engineer Exam-1 day)
RH320- US$700 (Apache and Secure Web Server Administration- 5 days)
RH143- US$700 (Red Hat Linux Programming Essentials- 5 days)
RH221- US$700 (Red Hat Device Drivers- 5 days)
RHS342- US$450 (Developing Red Hat Firewall Solutions- 4 days)
RHS346- US$400 (Developing Red Hat VPN Solutions- 3 days)
CONTACT POINT
Magie Antonio - magie@bluepoint.com.ph
+63 2 534 1077
CLASSES
Classes will be held in Mandaluyong City, Manila
#7 First Street, Acacia Lane
About Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat, the world's leading open source and Linux provider, is headquartered in Raleigh, NC with satellite offices spanning the globe. Red Hat is leading Linux and open source solutions into the mainstream by making high quality, low cost technology accessible. Red Hat provides operating system software along with middleware, applications and management solutions. Red Hat also offers support, training and consulting services to its customers worldwide and through top-tier partnerships. Red Hat's Open Source strategy offers customers a long term plan for building infrastructures that are based on and leverage open source technologies with focus on security and ease of management. Learn more: http://www.redhat.com
Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. Red Hat is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. |
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Bluepoint Signs MOU with FIT-ED Friday, Nov 9, 2001, 3:00 PM
Bluepoint signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Foundation for IT Education and Development (FIT-ED) to provide Linux training to the latter's beneficiaries. The agreement was formalized by Dr. Emmanuel Lallana (FIT-ED Vice-President) and Magie Antonio (Bluepoint Executive Director). The MOU signing was witnessed by Luli Arroyo (FIT-ED Director of Operations) and Eddie Salonga.
PHOTO GUIDE. From left to right: Dr. Emmanuel Lallana, Luli Arroyo, Eddie Salonga, Magie Antonio.
FIT-ED was established to increase IT awareness in the Philippines and to contribute to the effort to enable Philippine society for the Information Age. It has been asked to manage, as part of its Pilipinas SchoolNet project, an initiative by the Coca-Cola Export Corporation called ed.venture. The initiative will provide computers and Internet connectivity, training and post-training support services to an initial 15 pilot high schools and 35 more from 2002 to 2004. ed.venture will also serve as a pilot project towards establishing best practices in technology integration in the public secondary school system and, more broadly, in national policy formulation on ICT and its role in youth and community development and poverty alleviation. |
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Bluepoint MOU with NEDA Wednesday, Oct 10, 2001, 5:00 PM
Bluepoint signs MOU with NEDA Region VIII. |
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Bluepoint Signs MOA with BSU Monday, May 21, 2001, 3:00 PM
Bluepoint signs MOA with the Benguet State University. |
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Bluepoint Signs MOU with DAP Tuesday, Aug 8, 2000, 5:00 PM
Bluepoint signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) for the initiation and implementation of projects and activities related to the promotion of cost-effective and Open Source technologies.
The agreement was formalized by Magie Antonio and Dr. Eduardo Gonzalez, DAP President, with a MOU signing ceremony at the Development Academy of the Philippines in Pasig City. Mari Kaimo and Rey Macalindong (Director of IMO-DAP) acted as witnesses.
PHOTO GUIDE. Seated left to right: Mari Kaimo, Magie Antonio, Dr. Eduardo Gonzalez, Rey Macalindong. Standing left to right: Clement Rasul, Enchang Kaimo, Joanne Canque, Eddie Salonga, Engels Antonio, Edgar Callanta (DAP Senior Vice-President for Programs). |
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NCC Ties Up with NGO for Universal Access Friday, Apr 14, 2000, 10:00 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ruby Tomacruz
Organization: National Computer Center
Telephone Number: 920-0101
Fax Number: 920-7411
Email Address: rubyx@ncc.gov.ph
Website: http://www.ncc.gov.ph/
METRO MANILA - The Bluepoint Institute of Higher Technology Foundation recently forged an alliance with the National Computer Center (NCC), in support of government initiatives towards universal access and Information Technology development in the country. A non-stock, non-profit organization, Bluepoint is aimed at the promotion of computerization in the Philippines using Open Source and other low-cost technologies. By doing this, the foundation aspires to help bring technology within the grasp of the masses. "There is so much to do, and this is our way of doing something about it," explains Eddie Salonga, Bluepoint Educational Administrator. The NCC, on the other hand, encourages initiatives like this, knowing that both government and the private sector should work hand-in-hand in bringing technology to the grassroots level. As an initial project, the NCC and Bluepoint are planning to run Open Source courses through the National Computer Institute, the training arm of the NCC. |
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