TESDA-GTZ Expansion of Dual Education and Training
(EDET) Project

PPP - Nokia Project

PPP - Nokia Project Signing Ceremony

MOA Signing between PPP Cooperators

Seated from L-R: Claus Karthe, Nokia Philippines Chairman and Martin Mueller, GTZ Regional Director for Southeast Asia - 2
Standing from L-R: Andrew Paddon Sr Analyst Nokia MSI, Frankie Naranjilla,
Head Business Development Nokia Networks, Cynthia Mamon, President SUN
Microsystems Philippines, Max Riesenkoenig GTZ IT Consultant and Dominic
Sabado EITSC Marketing Manager

December 2002

Nokia Phils. and GTZ sign pact to provide J2ME training in RP.

In line with the Philippine government’s commitment to develop ICT (Information and Communication Technology) competence in the country, GTZ and Nokia have combined their resources to train and support Filipinos to develop mobile ICT via J2ME – the micro edition of Sun Microsystems’ Java language designed for mobile terminals.

The Philippines is currently at the center stage in the world of text messaging. GSM operators in the country, offers a wide variety of mobile services that are currently either WAP (Wireless Access Protocol) or text based via SMS (Short Messaging Systems). These mobile application are from games, entertainment, jokes, business applications and more. In the mobile world, this is interpreted as mobile data.

The cooperation aims to provide Java training to Filipino individuals as well as small and medium enterprises in such a way as to enable them to develop and market Java based mobile applications on a local, regional and global scale. This will help the Philippines extend its lead in the mobile data space to include Java services. GTZ will provide consultancy services while Nokia offers its expertise in mobile data communications.

During the last three decades, the German government has supported economic and social development in the Philippines through a variety of organizations and projects. Among these, GTZ (Deutsche Gesselschaft fuer Technische Zusammenarbeit), a consultancy group for development cooperation projects for both government and private entities, has always played a key role. It has been looking for ways to support ICT programs.

“GTZ believes in the Filipino creativeness in the development of mobile applications. This is a first of its kind that is focused towards the development of mobile ICT in the country. Our cooperative program with Nokia will benefit the mobile communications industry at large,” said Martin Mueller, Regional Director for Southeast Asia2.

“Most of Nokia’s new phone models can now accept Java applications. This is perfect timing for us and we are happy to be part of GTZ’s ICT support initiatives,” said Frankie Naranjilla, Head for Business Development, Nokia Network Philippines. “This is a step toward providing more exciting services in the future via the development of Java-based services. Filipino Java developers will be able to participate in the mobile data evolution by adding new features to handsets.”

The Deutsche Gesselschaft fuer Technische Zusamme-narbeit (GTZ) GmbH is a government-owned corporation for international cooperation with worldwide operations. Present in more than 130 partner countries, GTZ is supporting 2,700 development projects and programmes, chiefly under commissions from the German Federal Government. GTZ’s aim is to improve the living conditions and perspectives of people in developing and transition countries.