Converge ICT Solutions Inc. is strengthening its push toward digital inclusion by launching a STEM and robotics education program aimed at equipping underserved Filipino youth with future-ready technology skills.
LAYERTech Labs offers a range of robotics and coding education models tailored to different learning groups, with a strong focus on making advanced technology education accessible to underserved and low-income sectors.
Young boys from Stairway Foundation and Puerto Galera Academy gained hands-on experience controlling Wi-Fi-enabled robots through a mobile application installed on their smartphones. The activity introduced students to wireless connectivity, robotics, and basic programming in a practical learning environment.
Dubbed “TechForGood: Code the Future, Build New Paths,” the initiative was piloted in Oriental Mindoro through a partnership with Stairway Foundation Inc. and LAYERTech Labs. The program introduces students to software programming, robotics, and emerging technologies, supporting Converge’s broader transformation from a telecommunications provider into a technology-driven company.
According to Converge Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations Jay-Anne Encarnado, the initiative reflects the company’s goal of using technology to create opportunities for communities while preparing the next generation for the digital economy.
A key feature of the program is its use of open-source programming for bipedal robot kits, allowing students to continue learning and experimenting without expensive software or licensing costs. The approach is designed to lower barriers to technology education and encourage long-term innovation.
The workshops followed a hands-on learning model, beginning with train-the-trainer sessions for community facilitators before students assembled and programmed robots from scratch. Participants included students from Stairway Foundation, Puerto Galera Academy, and Baclayan Mangyan School.
LAYERTech Labs, Converge’s technology partner, said the initiative aims to bring advanced technologies to communities that have limited access to digital learning resources, helping reduce inequalities through practical STEM education.
The robotics program also builds on Converge’s partnership with Stairway Foundation, which began in 2023 with projects focused on internet connectivity, device donations, online child protection, data privacy awareness, and cybersecurity education. The expanded collaboration now includes robotics and coding as part of a broader effort to prepare young Filipinos for an increasingly technology-driven future.
