After the successful 3rd anniversary of ULAP.org, founders, and Filipinas in tech, Michelle Anne Tabirao and Marilag Dimatulac – Svennevig based in Denmark are once again opening opportunities for students and career shifters to kickstart their career in tech.
ULAP, a Tagalog word that translates to “cloud” in English, stands for Underrepresented youth Learning Assistance Program. The organization will be opening a Cloud and GitHub Associate Scholarship Program that will open grants to 20 passionate IT aspirants all over the Philippines.
Scholars will undergo training, mentorship, and certification programs for both Azure Fundamentals and GitHub Foundation certifications. These programs are conducted in collaboration with ULAP.org’s partners, Solidify and Dewise.
ULAP.org already did a similar program in 2021 and has been successful in providing training and certifications and instructor lead IT training to scholars all over the Philippines.
“Being part of ULAP.org was a transformative journey. The program helped me to have better access to unparalleled opportunities in the tech industry. The mentorship and community support during the pandemic, combined with training and certification preparations, not only honed my technical skills but also profoundly enriched my growth as a person. I’ve also met numerous inspiring people on this journey who defied the odds, achieved so much, and are living proof of the countless possibilities tech brings.” Theron Bueno, ULAP.org scholarship graduate in 2022. Theron joined the Cloud Career Kickstarter Program in 2021 when he was a student in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and managed to get certified in Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Alibaba Cloud.
ULAP.org is a non-profit organization that operates with the help of volunteers all over the world. One of the volunteers and mentors in the organization is a Filipina in tech, Jonah Andersson, who is working as a Developer, Senior Azure Consultant at Solidify in Sweden, and Author of Learning Microsoft Azure.
“Being a volunteer and mentor at ULAP.og is genuinely inspiring and making an impact. I grew up in the Philippines as a government scholar. ULAP.org was a non-profit organization I wished I had as a young student in the Philippines. My passion for learning technologies, even without access to a computer, did not stop me from chasing my dreams of becoming the software engineer I am today. I am glad that I can contribute to the community through ULAP.org’s mentorship and training programs using the technical skills and professional experience I have as a software developer and cloud engineer working with Microsoft Azure. Also happy that I could share and give away a copy of my book last Christmas gift giving event.” said Jonah Andersson, ULAP.org mentor and volunteer.
Why learning about ‘cloud’
Cloud computing is a style of computing in which scalable and elastic IT-enabled capabilities are delivered as a service using Internet technologies. In this digital age, technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and the Internet of Things can transform existing enterprises by leveraging data, technological infrastructure, and devices. Cloud computing, essentially, is the backbone of the data-driven, app-based tech ecosystem.
The rapid expansion of the global cloud computing market is forecasted to grow from USD 371.4 billion in 2021 to USD 832.1 billion by 2025 based on the study conducted by Edoxi Training Institute (2024). This projection aligns with Abdaladze’s findings (2024) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics which predicts a rapid 15% increase in employment opportunities in cloud computing between 2021 and 2031. This surge in demand for skilled professionals underscores the growing reliance on cloud technologies across industries.
DevOps and GitHub are essential components of modern cloud-based development. DevOps emphasizes automation and collaboration between software development and IT operations teams, enabling faster software delivery. GitHub facilitates version control and collaboration among developers, making it easier to manage and track changes to codebases. Integration with these platforms enhances the efficiency of cloud computing initiatives and supports the rapid growth of the global cloud computing market. The evolving landscape of modern IT requires understanding how cloud computing relates to DevOps since it is not just about technicalities but embracing change and collaboration.
How to apply as ULAP.org scholar
On ULAP.org site, select “Apply as a Scholar” and submit your motivational letter, resume, and other requirements. Interested applicants must be:
For Student:
- Typical age: 18 to 28 years old (no upper or lower limit)
- Location (School): Anywhere in the Philippines
- Educational Level: 2nd year Bachelor’s Degree and above
- Course: Not limited to STEM students but preferably with general IT knowledge
- Financial Capabilities: Underprivileged or from a low-income household
For Tech Career Shifter:
- Typical Age: 20 to 40 years old (no upper or lower limit)
- Location: Anywhere in the Philippines
- Educational attainment: At least high school graduate. You should also possess general IT knowledge, tech savvy, and have good english proficiency (reading, speaking, listening and writing).
- Work experience: With a minimum of 1 year experience from various industries, preferably with relevant skills and general IT knowledge.
- Financial capabilities: From a low-income household
The deadline for application is June 15, 2024.
“Addressing the educational needs of underrepresented groups is crucial as they face challenges in initiating their tech careers, encountering difficulties due to insufficient support, financial constraints, and limited opportunities,” remarked Michelle Anne Tabirao, ULAP.org’s founder.
“We are here to strengthen their confidence as they navigate their own path towards a fulfilling and self-sustaining career in tech. They need our help – but we believe that they have so much potential within them – all they need is proper motivation, guidance and life-long learning partners” added Marilag Dimatulac – Svennevig, ULAP.org’s co-founder.
Head on over to ULAP.org and apply for the scholarship today!
References:
Job prospects in cloud computing: Expert predictions for 2025. Edoxi Training Institute. (2024). https://www.edoxi.com/studyhub-detail/job-prospects-in-cloud-computing?fbclid=IwAR0uVfz166C31KSmvdobZWpUOWXNUYOv_YZhL02Bp3Kyu_tx8_QBy3IuVaY
Abdaladze, N. (2024, January 19). The Tech Job Outlook for 2024. Skillcrush. https://skillcrush.com/blog/2024-tech-job-outlook/?fbclid=IwAR32S1DaHBn1JV5wBGygtc9BaWPwzXREZtsQRHvHNlM64HeK0xRMZlQbaic
