DAP and DTI conduct SPARTA online roadshow for DTI employees

The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held an online Smarter Philippines through Data Analytics, Research and Development, Training and Adoption (SPARTA) roadshow for DTI employees and participating bureaus last March 2 to promote Data Science and Analytics (DSA). The roadshow introduced Project SPARTA and discussed the significance of DSA in national government agencies.

DTI Undersecretary and Chief of Staff of Management Services Group Ireneo Vizmonte, in his opening remarks, positively expressed his excitement about the project, adding DTI’s support in the country’s economic growth and development.

“The DTI is very much looking forward to the implementation of this program. And [this is] in line with the DTI's thrust through the Competitiveness and Innovation Group, that is, to develop innovative industries towards economic growth and development. ...It is within this regard that project SPARTA will equip us at the DTI with greater Data Analytics capacity and deeper understanding of Data Science in order for us to provide a more robust, consistent, and clear policy recommendation,” Vizmonte said as he shared DTI’s plans to develop innovative industries and mentioned SPARTA’s participation in their initiative.

In addition, DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group (CIG) Undersecretary Dr. Rafaelita Aldaba expressed her appreciation towards SPARTA’s commitment to this collaboration, citing how this participation may help them make better decisions.

“We are grateful to engage and forge the SPARTA partnership with DAP [and] with DOST because this serves as [a] channel to provide access to Data Science training courses for government employees, as well as to enhance our competencies so that we will be better equipped to employ Data Analytics to enhance our work processes...By having the necessary data, tools, infrastructure, and skill sets, the use of data can provide new and better insights, and improve our decision-making process,” Aldaba remarked.

Meanwhile, Cebu Institute of Technology University Department Chair of Information Technology Dr. Larmie Feliscuzo, discussed DSA’s application and importance in public service. This was followed by an audiovisual presentation on Project SPARTA and discussion on the SPARTA registration and enrollment process by Coursebank Instructional Design Lead Jaclyn Sangalang.

Likewise, an open forum moderated by DTI Supervising Trade-Industry Development Specialist Rosalie Abrera was conducted with Dr. Feliscuzo, Sangalang, and SPARTA Deputy Project Manager Nikko Visperas serving as panelists.

SPARTA Partnership Associate Daniel Rosero and Information Officer Arvie Joyce Cayabyab conducted a quick pre and post-test activity to analyze the participants' existing knowledge on DSA and SPARTA. Results showed that after the discussions, participants gained a better understanding of SPARTA.

DAP Vice President and SPARTA Project Lead, Dr. Alan Cajes, formally ended the program through a closing remarks with this message: “We encourage you to maximize this opportunity to upskill and reskill. Your learnings after completing your chosen SPARTA courses will also help you in becoming active participants to promote e-governance in our country through e-government interventions that you will design and implement individually or collectively...Thus, your future creations will ultimately help our citizens, through your stakeholders and communities, as the trade and industry sector optimizes the use of DSA in MSMEs and different business enterprises.”