Out of 1,988 applicants from different provinces of the Visayas, 75 students were chosen to be the new recipients of Passerelles numériques Philippines’ Certificate in Computer Technology Scholarship programme.
Class 2022 selection process
For more than 9 months, our selection team led by Irish May Bulan, together with our previous Selection Volunteer, Elisa Sauzedde, worked hard to find deserving youngsters who would be given an opportunity to leverage their potential and improve their lives and the lives of their families through IT education. Our selection team scaled mountains and crossed seas, travelling to different islands, towns and schools in the Visayas region.
A total of 1,988 hopefuls took part in this year’s selection out of 7,468 attendees at the information sessions. Nothing much has changed in the selection process except for the number of regions where it was conducted.
Every year the Selection Process offers a different experience, challenge and adventure. There is no easy selection. We always want to innovate and improve the way we select students, whilst at the same time maintaining a fair and rigorous process. This year, we were limited to selecting students in 2 regions, but we were nevertheless able to select our new 75 students.
Irish May BulanA leap of faith
Coming from diverse backgrounds, the 75 students of Class 2022, composed of 36 boys and 39 girls, took a leap of faith and left the familiar space of their homes to entrust their future to PN in the hope of bringing about a positive change to their families and their communities after they graduate from the programme. Although their stories differ, they are united and motivated by a single goal: to graduate.
On June 17th and 18th, the 75 selected students finally arrived at the PN Philippines centre together with their families, who were happy that their sons and daughters had been accepted in the PN programme, but a bit anxious and tearful, as they realized that they would be separated for 2 and a half years.
Newly arrived students at the registration booth.
Parents of Class 2022 during their orientation with the PN Philippines Education Manager, Shirly Kumar
Class 2021 students show Class 2022 round Centre 1
The new arrivals were given a short tour of the PN centre by students from Class 2021. They were given a brief introduction to the rules and a quick rundown of community life. A tour of the University of San Carlos was also organized for them to become familiar with the campus. They were then accompanied to their designated living quarters to allow them to settle in and get to know their new environment and new friends.
Integration
Students during a flag-making activity
Students during an activity based on the core value of trust
A group of students during a sharing session with the PN staff after a team building activity
Once they are finally settled, it is always a tradition to welcome them to an activity called the Integration Days. Through this integration, the students are officially inducted and introduced to Passerelles numériques. This activity allows them to develop their personalities, showcase their abilities and create bonds with their classmates and the staff.
The integration is a 2-day event that took place in the beautiful wooded landscape of Camp Marina to the north of Cebu City. There was occasional rain but it didn’t prevent the students of Class 2022 and PN staff from learning and enjoying the different activities, such as team building games and a talent show.
It is really a challenge for me to live away from my family since it’s my first time living without them. At first, I really couldn’t prevent my tears from rolling down my cheeks every time I thought of them. However, after the integration days, I already felt better. I had learned so much, especially on how to be responsible and strong enough to face all the challenges that I am going to encounter. The PN core values which were introduced will also help me to become a productive and proactive person. Moreover, the PN pre-training programme helped me to enhance my potential and explore different things that will be useful in my college life.
Martin Carlo AmabaDespite the challenging terrain of Camp Marina and the unpredictable weather, the 2-day integration was a success as it provided an avenue for students to get to know their classmates and the staff, as well as being an opportunity to share stories and questions. Supported by PN’s cherished core values of Trust, Responsibility, Solidarity, Respect and Demanding Approach, the students of Class 2022 will be ready for the challenges they will have to face throughout their PN journey.