A lot has changed since San Beda University first opened its doors 125 years ago. Chalkboards have given way to digital displays, libraries now stretch beyond their walls, and students expect to access information almost as quickly as they can think of a question.
As the university celebrates its milestone anniversary, it is investing in the technology that will shape the next generation of campus life.
Working with PLDT Enterprise, San Beda is upgrading its digital infrastructure across its campuses in Mendiola, Manila, and Taytay, Rizal. The improvements range from faster internet connectivity and expanded Wi-Fi coverage to smarter online services and new security systems — all designed to make day-to-day life easier for students, teachers, and staff.
Rather than simply adding more technology, the university is looking at how digital tools can quietly improve the way its community learns, teaches, and connects.
Keeping pace with changing classrooms
IMAGE CREDIT: San Beda
The classroom today extends well beyond four walls.
Assignments are submitted online, lectures often include digital resources, and students move between physical and virtual learning spaces throughout the day. That shift has made reliable connectivity an essential part of campus life rather than just a convenience.
San Beda hopes to build on that reality as it works toward its vision of becoming what it describes as the first digital campus in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
According to Blums Pineda, Senior Vice President and Head of the PLDT Enterprise Group at PLDT and Smart, technology should ultimately serve the people who use it every day.
“At the heart of a digital campus are the students, educators, and school community who rely on technology every day to learn, teach, collaborate, and keep the university moving forward,” Pineda said.
He added that the partnership is intended to provide a digital foundation that can continue supporting the university as its needs evolve.
Changes students will actually notice
IMAGE CREDIT: PLDT Enterprise
Some of the biggest improvements are the ones students are likely to experience every day.
PLDT Enterprise has strengthened internet connectivity across San Beda’s campuses in Mendiola, Taytay, and Alabang, giving students and faculty more reliable access to online learning platforms, research materials, and university services.
Wireless coverage has also been expanded in Mendiola and Taytay, reducing connectivity gaps in common areas where students spend much of their time between classes.
The university has also refreshed its website using Salesforce Experience Cloud, making it easier for students, parents, alumni, and faculty members to access information and complete online transactions.
On campus, security is also becoming more digital. A facial recognition access system has already been introduced in Mendiola, with the Taytay campus expected to follow later this year.
Taken together, the upgrades are intended to create a campus experience that feels more seamless, whether students are attending classes, accessing online services, or simply moving around the university.
Balancing heritage with innovation
IMAGE CREDIT: San Beda
For a university with more than a century of history, adopting new technology does not mean leaving tradition behind.
Rev. Fr. Aloy Maranan, OSB, Rector-President of San Beda University, said the institution sees digital transformation as another way of supporting its educational mission.
“As San Beda University celebrates 125 years, we are also preparing our community for the future of education. This partnership with PLDT Enterprise allows us to strengthen the digital environment across our campuses so that everybody can connect, learn, and work more effectively. By improving connectivity, modernizing our platforms, and introducing smarter campus technologies, we are building an experience that remains rooted in our mission while becoming more responsive to the needs of today’s Bedan community.”
The initiatives are expected to provide more dependable connectivity, strengthen campus security, improve student and faculty engagement, and make university operations more efficient. Together, they lay the groundwork for a smarter campus that can continue adapting to the changing needs of education.
The university’s goal, Maranan said, is to create a campus that responds to the needs of today’s learners while remaining grounded in the values that have shaped San Beda for generations.
Looking beyond the anniversary
IMAGE CREDIT: San Beda
The anniversary offers a chance to celebrate the university’s past, but it also invites a look at where higher education is headed.
Across the country, schools are investing in better connectivity, cloud-based services, and smarter digital systems as technology becomes part of everyday learning rather than an occasional supplement.
San Beda’s latest projects reflect that reality. Faster internet, improved online services, and smarter campus systems may not always be the most visible changes, but they often shape how students experience university life.
After 125 years, the university is preparing for its next chapter with the same goal that has guided it from the beginning: creating an environment where students have the tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
