The 3-day VoIP conference was organized by the VoIP Event Management Philippines  and had sessions on the practical applications of VoIP for businesses, developments in the technology, government regulations and directions, introductory talks on VoIP implementation, management, and security, and community applications.  VoIP or Voice-over-Internet protocol is a transmission technology that uses the Internet to send voice and data in real time.

Part of the conference included discussions on the possibilities and business opportunities in VoIP for Internet service providers, wireless (WiFi/WiMax), cable YV, and broadband over power lines.  Speakers included service providers from England, India, Malaysia, and the Philippines; government officials and representatives from the National Telecommunications Commission, NEDA, and DOST; and local experts in wireless technology.

Highlights of the conference were the presentation of the VoIP bill, exhibits of various technical and VoIP broadband applications that were open to the public, and a video conference between Manila, Tel Aviv, and Paris.

I sure wish I was there because I am going to be a user of VoIP soon and I could have benefited from the VoIP 101 sessions but I guess I just have to rely on the book VoIP for Dummies.

I was, however, at the 2-day eLearning forum entitled Bridging the Digital Divide through eLearning: Global and Local Initiatives to document the proceedings.

The forum, sponsored by Inwent (pronounced ‘in-vent’) a German NGO involved in capacity building, gathered local and international experts who shared their experiences in using ICT in education and training.  Its objectives were to: survey current initiatives in the use of ICT in education; provide benchmarks in the establishment, management and appraisal of ICT-mediated teaching and learning; enhance the collaborative network of eLearning stakeholders to maximize resources and impact; and expose the participants to appropriate ICT-enhanced education like programs built around flexible schedules, use of modular programs and competency-based instructional systems, and infusion of IT to supplement traditional teacher-centered instruction.

Topics included the current status of eLearning initiatives in the country, examples of effective eLearning programs in place, developing a collaborative network of eLearning stakeholders, and aligning local programs with that of Inwent’s all towards the establishment of an eLearning center in the Philippines.

Participants were hand-picked from the academe, industry representatives involved in technical training, and NGOs.

I will be writing about the eLearning initiatives in the country in details next week.

(For feedback, comments, suggestions email me at openingpagemb@yahoo.com)