Due to the pandemic, the University of the Philippines has pivoted into online platforms as means of instruction, requiring students to procure laptops and securing internet connectivity to keep up. Based on the survey conducted by the UP College of Engineering, 1,647 engineering students need a personal computer and support for internet connectivity.
In response to this challenge, and in pursuit of our mandate to support the UP College of Engineering, UPERDFI is mounting donations for devices to be distributed to in-need students. Each laptop with the needed specifications, plus the monthly connectivity support cost around PhP 30,000.
As decided by the Board of Trustees, unappropriated funds from the COVID-19 fundraising, totaling PhP 1.22 M, have been repurposed for the acquisition of laptops for in-need students. Engineering alumni from all over the world have channeled their support to this campaign – Daniel Reyes from US, our member Francis and wife Leah Felizardo, and Susan Vidal are our first-responders. UP alumna Mimi Salonga, who is based in Singapore, also pledged support. Our Trustee Michael Gonzalez gave a notebook PC as well. BPI Foundation is also donating 12 tablet PCs to UPCOE.
