THE DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications Technology partnered with the University of the Philippines to establish and implement the Government Chief Information Officer Development Program.

The program offers scholarship to qualified government employees to pursue a degree in Master in Technology Management offered by UP’s Technology Management Center.

UP President Danilo Concepcion said that the program will train executive-level officials responsible for the overall data and technological direction of their organizations.

“Given the strategic importance of ICTs in the operations of all national government agencies and local governments units, the position of GCIO is now urgent and necessary,” he added.

DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan III said that the program aims to improve the ICT knowledge and skills of the government workforce.

“As part of our vision to establish a Digital Government, the DICT is not only focusing on providing ICT systems, tools and solutions in the government sector, but also on improving the ICT knowledge and skills of the government workforce who shall be at the forefront of public service delivery,” he said.

“The DICT believes that UP, as the leading public institution of learning in the country, will help us achieve our vision,” he added.

The GCIO Development Program is an initiative of the ICT Academy which aims to provide relevant ICT education and training to qualified government employee scholars for the purpose of establishing Chief Information Officers in priority sectors in national government agencies, Constitutional Commissions/Offices, Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations, State Universities and Colleges, and Local Government Units as part of the ICT human capital build up.

DICT and UP also agreed to collaborate on the organization of trainings and conferences aimed at improving the capacity of GCIOs.