Insider Spotlight
Why it matters
Deaf learners in the Philippines continue to face barriers to education, from limited access to technology to fewer opportunities for digital skills development. By providing learning devices and long-term collaboration, the partnership seeks to help close this gap and promote more equitable access to education.
What’s happening
Acer Academy donated five Acer TravelMate laptops to Benilde’s School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS). The devices will support students in completing academic requirements, accessing online platforms, participating in blended learning, and building digital literacy skills that are increasingly essential for employment.
What they’re saying
“Education is one of our priority segments. We always believe in the power of education. In the Philippines, we have a program called Acer Academy. As of now, we already have more than 400 members nationwide,” Sue Ong-Lim, managing director of Acer Philippines, said in a press release.
“More than providing devices, we are committed to keeping the partnership with Benilde in terms of immersion programs and partnering with students with disabilities,” Ong-Lim added.
“Through this partnership, we are opening pathways not only for students but also for the Benildean community. It will strengthen digital capacity, promote skill development, and support inclusion,” said Marian Patricia Bea Francisco, Dean of SDEAS, DLS-CSB.
“Many think that Benilde is a school for those who have, but it's not true. Yes, we have students like that, but many are struggling to make ends meet. We take many of our own initiatives for advancement,” said Angelo Marco Lacson, vice chancellor for Academics, DLS-CSB.
“We look for partners like Acer, benefactors, and donors who can help us provide more education to the underprivileged and others, including persons with disabilities or those with special learning needs,” Lacson said.
Between the lines
The initiative goes beyond a one-time donation. Acer emphasized that its engagement with Benilde will include immersion programs and continued collaboration, signaling a longer-term approach to inclusive education rather than short-term support.
The bigger picture
Acer Academy is designed to help schools integrate technology into learning through hardware, training, and support. For deaf learners, access to reliable devices can be transformative, enabling greater participation in digital classrooms and improving future employability prospects.
What’s next
As demand for digital skills grows across industries, partnerships like this underscore how private sector involvement can play a role in supporting inclusive, technology-enabled education nationwide. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
