With the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIRe), Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have to take advantage of the opportunities to realize their goals of taking part in the global efforts of “No One is Left Behind”, supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly on Quality Education (SDG 4) and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), and contributing to the Philippine long-term vision- the Ambisyon 2040 of Matatag, Maginhawa and Panatag na Buhay for all Filipinos, cascaded in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP 2017-2022), specifically on the (a) Productivity Increased, (b) Technology adoption promoted and accelerated, (c) Technology generation and innovation stimulated, and (d) Commercialization of technology increased.
One concrete way that HEIs can do is through Digital Transformation (DT), which is described as “an evolutionary process that takes advantage of digital capabilities and technology to enable business models, operational processes, and consumer experiences that generate value” (Rodriguez-Abitia & Bribiesca- Correa, 2021, p.3). Initially, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has supported the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) through CMO No. 09, series of 2020- Guidelines on the Allocation of Financial Assistance for SUCs for the Development of SMART Campuses. However, the maximum amount given for Smart Campus is not enough.
Dr. Roel M. Ocampo, PCARI-PRIME Project Leader, proposed the Mindanao Connectivity Project entitled “Trans-Mindanao Network Links for Advanced Computing (TNALAC).” The project is viewed as a noble undertaking of responding towards digital transformation of HEIs in the country, starting from the island of Mindanao. However, the proposal needs baseline data from each SUC in Mindanao. The TNALAC Project is feasible once the platforms are established, including connectivity among SUCs and its campuses. As of the moment, none has been conducted to establish the baseline data as the basis of prioritizing the needs of HEIs in their efforts towards digital transformation, which is a crucial information for funding requirements.
In support to CHED RO XI's REDI for FIRe Framework, which was endorsed by the Regional Development Council XI through Resolution No. 48, series of 2021 and the Davao City Council through Resolution No. 03247-22, series of 2022, the Technical Working Group (TWG), created by virtue of CHED Special Order (CSO) No.43, series of 2021, came up with the project concept entitled "Digital Transformation of Philippine HEIs: Mindanao SUCs". The project will assist and lead the digital transformation of HEIs in Mindanao, but later on expanded to Visayas and Luzon. The whole project is implemented in three phases- (1) SUC and its Campuses Connectivity, (2) Regional Connectivity of all SUCs, and (3) Superhighway Connectivity. The first phase will be piloted in each SUC in Davao Region. The final outputs are the project proposals per SUC in Davao Region for its digital transformation.