A new government-backed 60-day game dev course launches in the Philippines

In order to boost the gaming industry and IT sector in the Philippines, the Department of Science and Technology’s IT office (DOST-ICT) has launched another game design and development scholarship program. This new project is similar to the recently concluded game development initiative for Zamboanga.

The new program

ICT is currently one of the biggest industries right now. In fact, according to a post by the Zamboanga ICT Council, the ICT-BPO (tech outsourcing) industry has a target revenue of $16 billion in 2013. The ICT Scholarship and Training Program is being carried out by DOST to increase the country’s tech talent pool and workforce in response to the growing demand for globally competitive IT workers.

Tech courses, though common in the Philippines, are also quite expensive to take up considering the equipment involved. This ICT program will provide opportunities for many Filipinos who have the skill and interest but not the money to be part of the industry. Not only does the program target students and learners, but also aims to provide startups with equipment, resources, working areas, and other forms of assistance for their plans, products and services. The program will also be implemented in cities outside of the capital of Manila. In fact, there is also the Next Wave Cities program aimed at pin-pointing cities and places outside Manila that have the necessary requirements, resources, factors, and worker supply for its own local outsourcing industry.

Focusing on gaming

As announced by the University of the Philippines Information Technology Development Center (UP-ITDC) and the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP), there will be a game design and development course in accordance with the ICT Scholarship and Training Program. The 60-day course will cover creation and development of 2D and 3D games as outlined by GDAP and conducted by the UP-ITDC. Since only 30 slots are available, applicants must pass a screening process, which is open to the underprivileged, students, practitioners, government employees, and the unemployed. The program covers the tuition for the course and provides up to PhP 7,000 ($160) worth of allowance per scholar.

UPDATE: The deadline for submission application and requirements for the Game Design and Development course has been moved from September 6 to September 16. The interview for the second batch of applicants will be on September 203. Training proper starts on September 23 and ends on November 23.

Interested applicants may download the application form and submit it via e-mail to Ms. Sarah Joy Salvio at sjrsalvio@ittc.up.edu.ph or personally submit it in person at the following address:

The Registrar
University of the Philippines-Information Technology Development Center
2/F Vida Tan Hall, Quirino Avenue cor. Velasquez Street
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

For 3D Animation Course:

You may also head to the DOST-ICTO website, the GDAP website or the UP-ITDC website for more details.

(Editing by Paul Bischoff, Steven Millward, Anh-Minh Do)