The University of the Philippines (UP), in partnership with Converge ICT Solutions Inc., is strengthening the technical capabilities of its information technology leaders through a three-day immersion program at the newly inaugurated Converge Data Center in Angeles City.
The initiative forms part of the institutions’ ongoing collaboration under a memorandum of understanding signed in September 2025, and is anchored on the UP Data Center Staff Competency Framework developed by the UP Office of the Vice President for Digital Transformation.
The training program covers key areas such as data center operations, server infrastructure, cloud and artificial intelligence technologies, cybersecurity, and sustainable IT practices. It is designed to professionalize IT operations across the UP system while addressing critical competencies, including governance, compliance, emergency response, and business continuity.
According to UP Vice President for Digital Transformation Peter Sy, the hands-on immersion sets the program apart, allowing participants to engage directly with a functioning data center environment instead of relying solely on theoretical instruction.
The Converge Angeles Data Center, the company’s largest facility to date, is a Tier III-certified complex engineered for continuous operations even under infrastructure stress. Participants were given access to key facilities, including the Security Operations Center, Data Command Center, power systems, and satellite earth station, all designed in accordance with international standards.
The program was organized through Converge University, with support from its Corporate Communications and Public Relations team, and featured sessions led by company executives and industry experts, alongside global technology partners H3C and Dell Philippines.
Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy said the initiative underscores the company’s commitment to building digital capabilities beyond its organization by supporting institutions that shape future technology leaders.
The immersion also aligns with UP’s broader strategic priorities on strengthening partnerships and advancing digital transformation under its 2023–2029 development plan.
Both UP and Converge view the program as a step toward building institutional capacity in the country’s digital ecosystem, with the partnership evolving into a model for collaboration between academia and industry in developing future-ready IT professionals.
