Getting techno-smart

A number of academic institutions have incorporated on-the-job training (OJT) programs in their curriculum to complement classroom experience and to give students the opportunity to apply in the "real world" concepts learned in school. But for those without the benefit of an OJT program, a first-hand account of a job’s do’s and don’t’s by a professional may prove to be just as valuable.

Top-notch engineers leader Smart Communications Inc. shared their experiences working for the country’s leading wireless services provider to Baguio engineering students in a techno-briefing on GSM technology held recently at the University of Baguio.

More than 400 incoming fifth-year Electronic and Communications Engineering (ECE) students from the University of Baguio and St. Louis University attended the lecture, spearheaded by Smart’s Northern Luzon customer care group and networks services division. The lecture was part of Smart’s thrust to involve itself as a partner in educational pursuits.

"We are very happy that we were given an opportunity to share our knowledge to future telecommunications engineers. This is our way of giving back to our student-consumers our appreciation for their continuous support for our services," said Bing Payumo, manager of Smart’s Northern Luzon customer care group.

Baguio ECE students warmly received the discussions, especially on the General Packet Radio Services or GPRS. The students and teachers even had a hands-on surfing of the Internet with the use of a GPRS-enabled phone.

"It really is a learning opportunity because we don’t get to study technological advancements in detail. We only take up wireless communications in our fifth year, so you can say that this is an advanced course for all of us," said Resty Dumague, a fourth-year ECE student of St. Louis University (SLU).

Roel Abaño of University of Baguio shared the same view. According to him, wireless technology is only discussed in its most basic level in school. "A discussion of it by the people who really use it gives it then a more interesting view," he said.

And an interesting discussion that was, as Smart engineers talked about how cell-to-cell calls are routed and how text messages are sent. Students were also shown GSM equipment and how these figured in the Smart GSM network.

A student quiz, participated in by representatives from both schools, culminated the lecture. The quiz, which had a Nokia 3330 as prize, was won by fourth-year SLU student Ryan de la Cruz.

The Smart student tour will do the rounds of other schools in Northern Luzon in the coming months. Next stop will be the Mariano Marcos State University in Laoag City.