A strong industry–academe partnership in focus: (L-R) Roby Alampay, FVP and Head of Public Engagement at PLDT and Smart; Mr. and Mrs. Malinao; Engr. Carl Vincent Malinao; Eric Santiago, Head of Network Strategy and Infrastructure at PLDT and Smart; Engr. Lolit Villanueva of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan; Charm Dimaculangan, Smart Stakeholder Management Specialist; and Cynthia Capua, Smart Academic Partnership Executive—celebrating innovation, collaboration, and the future of Filipino engineering talent.
A long-running industry-academe partnership is proving critical in shaping future-ready engineers, as Carl Vincent Malinao of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan emerges as the topnotcher of the March 2026 Electronics Engineers Licensure Examination.
Engr. Carl Vincent Malinao of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan emerges as the topnotcher in the March 2026 Electronics Engineering Licensure Examination, marking a milestone achievement in engineering excellence and academic distinction.
Malinao’s achievement highlights the growing role of hands-on technology exposure in engineering education, driven by initiatives like the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP), a collaboration with PLDT and Smart Communications.
Introduced to advanced telecom concepts early on, Malinao attended seminars on 5G evolution and trained using real-world equipment such as antennas and transceivers provided through the program. This practical exposure complements traditional academic learning, preparing students for real-world network environments.
(L-R) Engr. Carl Vincent Malinao, topnotcher of the March 2026 Electronics Engineering Licensure Exam, together with Eric Santiago, Head of Network Strategy and Infrastructure at PLDT and Smart, highlighting the growing bridge between academic excellence and industry innovation in shaping the future of telecommunications and engineering talent.
Engr. Carl Vincent Malinao, topnotcher of the March 2026 Electronics Engineering Licensure Exam, shares a proud moment with his parents at the PLDT Ramon Cojuangco Building in Makati, marking a celebration of academic excellence, family support, and engineering achievement.
SWEEP, now in its fifth phase, is evolving to integrate Artificial Intelligence, automation, and intelligent systems into engineering curricula. This aligns with the increasing complexity of modern telecom networks, which rely heavily on AI-driven optimization and digital infrastructure.
According to PLDT and Smart’s network leadership, the telecom sector is rapidly advancing toward more adaptive and intelligent systems, requiring engineers who can work across emerging technologies. The program aims to bridge the gap between academic training and industry demands, ensuring graduates are equipped with relevant, future-focused skills.
Launched over two decades ago, SWEEP remains the Philippines’ longest-running industry-academe linkage initiative, providing mentorship, laboratory resources, and exposure to evolving network technologies nationwide.
Malinao’s journey—from attending a freshman seminar on next-generation networks to topping the national board exam—demonstrates how early access to advanced technologies like AI and 5G can shape the next wave of engineering talent poised to build the country’s digital future.
