Through Acer Academy, the company provides member-schools with digital devices, AI-ready infrastructure, teacher training, and access to industry certification programs.
Launched 15 years ago, the initiative initially focused on supporting technology integration in schools and has since expanded to include AI-related tools and training.
The program began with fewer than 10 member schools and has since expanded to more than 400 institutions nationwide. Among its pioneering members is the National University (NU).
Partnership with schools
NU senior director for technology development Jojo Castillo said during the media roundtable that the university joined Acer Academy while rebuilding its facilities.
According to Castillo, the partnership evolved into a collaborative relationship where Acer provides emerging technologies and infrastructure, while NU shares educational and operational challenges that the company can help address.
Last year, Acer introduced its AI server solutions. These servers are equipped with graphics processing units (GPU) specifically designed for AI workloads.
Alongside the hardware, the company also launched AI Works—a platform that enables schools to efficiently allocate GPU resources across students and classrooms.
With the technology in place, NU developed an AI manifesto and a set of AI governance guidelines and is now working to integrate AI into its curriculum.
Castillo added that the university is also exploring AI applications beyond the classroom. NU is using the technology to improve operational efficiency and automate various institutional processes.
Training and AI adoption
Beyond hardware and infrastructure, Acer Academy also provides member schools with industry certification programs through partners such as Intel, Microsoft and Google.
Carren Garcia, head of sales for commercial business at Acer Philippines, said the company works with industry partners and subject matter experts to keep schools updated on trends in the academic and technology sectors.
She added that as more companies adopt AI devices, it is important for students from member schools to gain skills aligned with industry standards.
Garcia cited Acer’s Education Summit in Indonesia, which brought together participants from across the Asia-Pacific region. The discussions focused not only on AI tools, but also on their ethical and responsible use of the technology by teachers and students.
“I think that's one of the most important efforts of Acer that we did toward championing AI for our ecosystem,” she said.
Extending reach
Acer Academy has also deployed devices to schools in various parts of the country, including Marawi in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Caraga region.
Membership in Acer Academy requires an institution to purchase a certain volume of Acer products. However, the company said it also supports non-member schools.
During the pandemic, Acer donated 100 laptops to various schools to help support distance learning.
Acer Academy aims to onboard more schools in the coming years as it continues to support AI adoption through hardware solutions, training programs and industry partnerships. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
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