Innovating Education: Cisco Philippines and Mapúa University Unveil AI-Led Digital Classrooms

Imagine walking into a classroom where you can choose how you want to learn—face-to-face, live online, or even catching up later at your own pace. That’s exactly what Mapúa University—one of the Philippines’ top engineering and tech schools—is offering through their HyFlex teaching and learning framework known as Tri-X (Triple Experience).

This partnership with Cisco to launch the country’s first-ever digital classrooms isn’t just a step forward—it’s a giant leap into the future of education, powered by cutting-edge AI and collaboration tools. And it’s all thanks to Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program.

“The future of education is here, and our learning modalities at Mapúa are breaking barriers by creating limitless opportunities for personalized, accessible learning. We are excited for this next chapter of our partnership with Cisco to enable students to achieve better learning outcomes with greater flexibility and personalized learning with our digital classrooms. This is a big step towards our vision to foster sustainable socio-economic growth through innovation, digital transformation, and lifelong education” said Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mapúa University.

The tools behind the transformation

The future of education is changing, and hybrid learning is opening massive opportunities in increasing access and driving continuous engagements with students. Technology is a huge enabler in building the bridge to learning without boundaries.

That’s why we brought in tools designed for connectivity and collaboration: Cisco Webex Meeting Suite harnesses AI for high-quality, secure, and inclusive virtual meetings. Webex Boards, like a turbocharged blackboard for the digital age, and Meraki Smart Cameras for real-time data and enhanced security.

With the use of technology, teachers can incorporate a variety of teaching methods that were not possible before, such as online lectures, interactive exercises, and virtual field trips. This has led to a more student-centered approach, where teachers can tailor their lessons to meet the unique needs and interests of individual students.

“The Cisco technology we are using in the classroom now is very innovative and helpful to all students because it offers a more inclusive, a more flexible way of learning, especially since Mapúa caters to students from different locations within the country,” –Mapúa University student.

So, what exactly makes these digital classrooms so special? Let’s break it down:

Webex Boards: Interactive boards that let students and teachers join video meetings, digitally whiteboard, annotate on shared content, and translate 13 languages into over 100 languages in real-time.

AI-Powered Features: Background noise removal that optimizes speakers’ voices and people focus that automatically crops videos of remote participants so they can be seen more clearly to make hybrid classes feel more connected and immersive.

AI-Generated Meeting Summaries: Missed a class? No problem! AI-generated summaries include highlights, chapters, and action items, so you can catch up in no time.

Meraki Smart Cameras: These cameras capture real-time or pre-recorded classroom footage from different angles, making remote students feel like they’re right there in the room.

Top-Notch Security: Webex ensures enterprise-grade protection with built-in encryption and compliance, safeguarding all communications.

Pioneering digital education in the Philippines

In the dynamic landscape of the Philippines, education is the key to national progress. Amidst rapid changes and uncertainties, a groundbreaking partnership between Cisco and Mapúa University was born under UGNAYAN 2030—Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program in the Philippines. This collaboration signifies more than just technological advancement; it’s about pioneering the nation’s premier digital university.

Mapúa University now boasts five digital classrooms across its Intramuros and Makati campuses, with plans to expand to Laguna and Davao. These smart classrooms will be used for lectures, extra-curricular activities, and inter-campus planning sessions. This is just the beginning of Mapúa’s journey to becoming a full-fledged smart campus. The next phase? Making education accessible across borders and driving an internationalized education experience for students.

Cisco’s CDA program is a long-term partnership with national leadership, industry, and academia. By accelerating the national digitization agenda, the country will grow GDP, create new jobs, and foster innovation and education across public and private sectors. In the Philippines, this takes the form of UGNAYAN 2030, which aims to build greater digital resilience through a collaborative framework with government agencies, industry partners, and academia. For Cisco, the goal is clear: to build the foundation of digital resilience with every administration, despite any calamity.

UGNAYAN 2030 focuses on three key pillars:

• Connectivity: Building a high-speed and reliable information highway.
• Collaboration: Creating an integrated and inclusive ecosystem.
• Cybersecurity: Securing networks and protecting data.

Together, Mapúa and Cisco are not just transforming education but also shaping the future of the Philippines.

“Technology is transforming the way we work, learn, and live. We are excited to support Mapúa University’s transformative journey to become a leading innovation hub that utilizes cutting-edge teaching and learning methods under UGNAYAN 2030. By helping the university leverage AI and inclusive collaboration tools in the classroom, we are closing the learning divide, enhancing student access, and ensuring quality education for every student nationwide so that no one gets left behind,” –Zaza Soriano-Nicart, Managing Director of Cisco Philippines.

A Vision for 2030 and Beyond

As Cisco continues its journey, its mission extends beyond revolutionizing education. It aspires to contribute to the transformation of the Philippines into a smart, secure, connected nation—a beacon of progress and innovation.

Cisco’s digital classrooms are not merely a feature; they will help the Philippines realize their vision for 2030. The use of these technologies amplifies their institutional capabilities and positions Mapúa University and the Philippine education system as front-runners in global educational innovation.

Together, Mapúa and Cisco will not only transform education but the entire landscape of the Philippines. This isn’t just about technology; it’s about the future, and the future is now.

So, here’s to breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. The future of education is bright, and it’s happening right now. And it’s all thanks to Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program. Are you ready to be part of it? Watch the video to learn more about this transformative collaboration.

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