The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has granted DMMMSU 25 million pesos for the implementation of the ‘Smart Campus’ project for the University. This project named as ‘10G-Ready Campus Area Network of DMMMSU’ is estimated to cost 25 million pesos. This is a gesture of Dr. J. Prospero “Prof. Popoy” E. de Vera III’s commitment to DMMMSU. Prof. Popoy is the Chairperson of DMMMSU’s Board of Regents.
The said Smart Campus project is under the Financial Assistance for SUCs for the Development of Smart Campuses program, otherwise known as the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2)”.
According to Dr. Stephan Kupsch, Project Leader, the said project is geared towards providing fibre-optic backbone in the University. This will establish a stable IT infrastructure and reliable network connectivity which will eventually lead to an efficient and functional e-learning/multimedia center.
during the Board Meeting on December 1, 2020.
“The project underwent several revisions until it finally got the approval of CHED. During the process of revision, rechanneling needed to be done and this facilitated the addition of Online Resource Centers for NLUC, MLUC, and SLUC. DMMMSU aims to have an Online Resource Center to provide students first-hand experience when it comes to learning. The items included in this project will surely allow students to enjoy better learning experience amid the pandemic,” Dr. Stephan Kupsch, former University MIS Director, shared in a previous interview.
“We are grateful for this 25M project grant. This is an enormous support from CHED Chair, Apo Popoy. Our project is an ultramodern network infrastructure that can cater to future high bandwidth up to 10Gbps or 10,000Mbps. This will build a solid foundation for a reliable network connectivity to support digital platforms suited for flexible learning activities” Dr. Kupsch, further added.
During the presentation in CHED Central Office on June 14, 2021, the proposed project received commendation from the panelists as the design considered a high capacity backbone that can support high (data) traffic when configured with 10Gbps solutions. The design also received praise for it considered a high resilient medium of transmission (fiber optic cable); thus, it increases reliability as compared with the existing medium.
As for his part, Dr. Jaime I. Manuel Jr. expresses his joy for DMMMSU being granted with the support. “This is a remarkable feat as we keep our mantra, embracing world-class standards. The project will surely strengthen our modes of learning amid the ominous presence of COVID-19 pandemic. We wish to thank the government and CHED, especially Chairman Popoy De Vera for helping us in making this possible.”
President Manuel, beaming with smiles, further explained:
“This is our reward for our performance in terms of budget utilization and liquidation. Only SUCs with excellent records in budget utilization and liquidation are granted support for Smart Campus project.”
in Bacnotan, La Union.
CHED describes smart campuses as areas in which higher education institutions use digital technologies of the next generation that are seamlessly woven into a smart infrastructure to develop instruments that will enhance teaching and learning, research and extension, and improve operational efficiency. (Ayu, Jerald Saculles)