e-pass Technologies, Inc. is proud to announce that it has
entered into an exclusive partnership with Systems Technology
Institute (STI) of the Philippines.
STI, one of the or country’s largest educational systems
with some 80,000 students in 120 schools, will work closely with
e-pass to bring the benefits of forward-looking technology to its
students.
On May 22nd STI Chairman Felipe Alfonzo and e-pass
President and CEO Hartmut Hennige held a press briefing to
introduce the partnership and the smartcard technology that would
revolutionize the way in which necessary course materials are
delivered to STI students.
The e-pass educational smartcard, known as the “K-Card,” is
used in conjunction with an electronic card reader - a
device similar to a personal digital assistant.
Coupled with the card reader, the K-Card will permit the
student to store and access textbooks and other educational
materials as needed.
Required course information, instructor notes, schedules, etc.,
will be downloadable to the K-Card from loading docks
scattered about the campus at convenient locations.
The electronic readers will be provided to STI by e-pass at an
estimated per unit price of approximately $20.00. The cost of a K-Card will vary in accordance with its
capacity as well as the type and amount of information it contains
when loaded. As a
replacement for traditional hardbound textbooks, the K-Card offers
both increased affordability and portability for students.
The ability to download additional instructor-provided
materials yields a demonstrable advantage to school, instructor
and student.
It is anticipated that the introduction of the K-Card to
STI’s student body will reduce the need for face-to-face
encounters between students and instructors by 30%.
Not only will the introduction of this technology prove
more efficient, and thus more economical, but more effective as
well, as was noted by Mr. Alfonzo.
Readers and K-Cards loaded with digital copies of hardbound
educational materials are slated for limited introduction to
STI’s student body in the second semester of the coming year.
The number of students exposed to the K-Card, as well as
the amount and variety of the material contained within, will be
increased as students adapt to the new technology.
Young students have already been exposed to so much
technology in their lives that little difficulty is expected as
they transit from hardbound to digital texts.
As the K-Card proves itself as an effective educational tool in
the STI environment, it will be adopted by other school systems
throughout the world.
Also in attendance at the press briefing with Messrs. Hennige
and Alfonzo were Senior VP and Chief Information Officer Peter
Fernandez and iAcademy governor and University of Makati President
Tommy Lopez.
As
a provider of ICT-centered education for 20 years, STI has
provided its students with access to the latest technology
resources and solid hands-on training that meets the most
stringent academic and industrial standards.
The introduction of the K-Card continues STI’s drive to
offer the best possible ICT education.