Wesleyan University, Smart renew decades-long partnership, expanding AI training for future engineers

Dr. Wilfredo Ramos, VP for Academic Affairs, WUP; Dr. Irineo Alvaro Jr., President, WUP; Cynthia Capua, Academic Partnership Executive and Manager for Network Strategy and Engineering, Smart; Alejo Fernando, Senior WNFS Supervisor, Smart

Eighty years after its founding, Wesleyan University-Philippines in Cabanatuan City in the province of Nueva Ecija is looking ahead—renewing its partnership with Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) under the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP) which is pivoting toward artificial intelligence, automation and intelligent systems.

“Technology is here to stay, and among its most significant advances is artificial intelligence,” said Dr. Irineo Alvaro Jr., president of Wesleyan University-Philippines. “Its value lies in strengthening human reasoning and capability—not replacing them—and this partnership with Smart allows us to explore that potential in meaningful ways.”

Now entering Phase 5, SWEEP trains its sights on artificial intelligence and emerging digital innovations. The new chapter introduces students to practical, industry-relevant skills such as prompt engineering, AI-assisted coding, data analysis, generative tools, and automated decision systems—technologies that are rapidly reshaping communication and customer experience.

“Smart supports the development of industry-ready engineers and technopreneurs who can contribute to the country’s digital transformation,” said Stephanie Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement at Smart. “Through SWEEP, students gain exposure to real-world applications that help build a strong foundation for their future careers.”

But the program’s emphasis extends beyond technical exposure. Phase 5 is designed to help students develop the critical thinking, problem-solving, and design perspectives needed to apply AI responsibly in real-world settings, ensuring that technology serves as an enabler rather than a substitute for human judgment.

SWEEP also gives students exposure to immersive technologies that are shaping the future of digital interaction. Extended reality (XR)—which includes virtual, augmented, and mixed reality—allows learners to engage with interactive environments that blur the boundaries between physical and digital spaces. The program also introduces concepts behind the metaverse, opening up connected digital ecosystems for collaboration, learning, and innovation.

Phase 5 further explores network disaggregation, a shift away from traditional, all-in-one networking systems toward modular architectures that allow organizations to combine open hardware, software, and network functions from multiple providers. This approach offers greater flexibility, scalability, and efficiency for modern enterprises.

As part of SWEEP, Wesleyan students benefit from mentorships led by Smart engineers, gaining insight into how advanced technologies are applied in areas such as systems monitoring and diagnostics, customer support workflows, preventive maintenance, and other day-to-day operational functions.

And to help prepare Wesleyan educators for the future of learning, Smart hosted an ‘AI for All’ bootcamp for the school’s basic education teachers. The workshop offers a hands-on experience with AI-powered applications that can create more dynamic lessons, provide instant feedback, analyze data for insights, and automate routine administrative tasks.

Wesleyan University-Philippines is among the earliest adopters of SWEEP, having formalized its participation in 2003. It is also the first partner institution to bag the SWEEP Award, Smart’s innovation grant recognizing excellence in engineering education.

Since its launch, SWEEP has trained more than 43,000 faculty members and students, facilitated internships for over 4,000 individuals within the PLDT Group, and supported the creation of six startups. More than 1,000 graduates from partner schools have since joined Smart, underscoring the program’s role in building industry-ready talent for the country’s digital future.