Around 49% of Filipino students said they lack the computers needed for distance learning and basic information technology course requirements, according to a nationwide survey carried out by Pulse Asia earlier this year.
The same study also showed that 52% of students said that the shortage of classrooms and other educational facilities including computer labs should be the topmost priority issue of the Department of Education.
Determined to bridge the learning gap in computer training and digital upskilling, CloudSwyft Global Systems, Inc. (CloudSwyft) CEO Dann Angelo de Guzman embarked on a quest to equip Filipino learners and educators with virtual labs.
“CloudSwyft allows universities and institutions to automate and digitize their physical computer lab operations. So, instead of schools relying alone on physical computer laboratories, which can be limited due to the number of hardware available or a university’s limited real estate and facilities on campus, our platform makes it possible for educational institutions to access fully functional and dedicated virtual lab environments anytime, anywhere,” said de Guzman.
The CEO also stressed that students only need a basic internet connection to run CloudSwfyt’s virtual labs and that its technology allows them access to high-level programming software applications without the need to buy “expensive high-spec laptops,” making digital upskilling both cost-effective and accessible.
“We're happy to see the huge positive impact that our solutions are making on the lives of students and teachers. Nobody has ever done this successfully, not just in the Philippines but in the entire APAC region. We’re proud to serve as a catalyst to accelerate learning opportunities,” said de Guzman.
Asked what drives the company’s growth, de Guzman told GMI POST that while demand for AI and advanced tech is a factor, the COVID pandemic made educational institutions realize that they need virtual solutions like the one CloudSwyft offers.
De Guzman also attributes the company’s growth to the dedication of his team. “Businesses aren’t run by a single person but by a team. I’m proud of my team at CloudSwyft because we made a truly Filipino-founded and Filipino-engineered education technology software product. Our solutions are purely grassroots, purely self-made from the ground up. No shortcuts,” he said.
Since the company’s inception in 2015, CloudSwyft has provided virtual lab solutions to universities, colleges, and governments worldwide with partnerships with global names in tech including Microsoft and U.K.-based FutureLearn.
Aside from the Philippines, CloudSwyft’s solutions have also helped underserved learners in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Europe, and North America.
