BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Ilonggos, especially the youth, should seize the opportunities brought by the digital evolution by acquiring the necessary skills for jobs in the information technology (IT) sector, where they have the potential to earn higher incomes.
With the growing demand for tech professionals, Vijay Jagannathan, secretary-general of CityNet, underscored that investing in digital skills can open doors to well-paying careers, both locally and globally.
He pointed out the vast opportunities awaiting Ilonggos, particularly the youth, in the IT sector.
During a recent press conference, Jagannathanhe encouraged them to equip themselves with digital skills, which could open doors to lucrative career opportunities.
Jagannathan highlighted Iloilo City’s advantage, with its numerous universities and educational institutions offering courses and tools necessary for mastering digital technologies.
“They can achieve whatever they want to,” said Jagannathan, underscoring that geographical location is no longer a barrier in the digital age.
“You don’t have to make the trip to the US or Europe,” Jagannathan remarked. “You can sit right here in your home and earn a lot of money,” said Jagannathan, illustrating how remote work and freelancing have revolutionized employment opportunities globally.
The advantage, Jagannathan pointed out, lies in the combination of good governance and the opportunity for individuals to leverage the digital system to achieve their goals.
Jagannathan said local governance is crucial, but it is equally important to empower individuals, especially the youth, with the tools and opportunities to excel in the digital world.
When both elements are in place — strong governance and access to digital resources—success becomes more attainable for everyone, he stressed.
CityNet, a network of cities focused on sustainable urban development, has proposed strategies aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable growth in Iloilo City.
More than 100 urban leaders and stakeholders from the Asia-Pacific region gathered at the Iloilo Convention Center from November 18-20 for the 44th CityNet ExeCom Meeting.
Themed “Living the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A Shared Future for All”, the event highlighted the collective commitment to achieving the SDGs and advancing urban sustainability through collaboration and innovation.
This prestigious gathering brought together high-ranking officials from across the region to exchange ideas and share best practices for tackling urban challenges.
It reaffirmed the importance of regional partnerships in driving sustainable development.
In addition, Jagannathan said potential for digital growth in regions like Iloilo is immense, especially when considering examples from countries like India.
Similar to Iloilo, he noted that India has a large number of educated young people who are not intimidated by mathematics or science — fields that are essential for digital literacy.
The challenge, however, is to provide them with the right opportunities to hone their skills. Digital literacy often hinges on proficiency in science and math.
But Jagannathan noted that once these young people are given the proper tools and training, the possibilities are limitless.
With the rise of global connectivity, Jagannathan noted that individuals can now work remotely for companies anywhere in the world.
An interesting and highly relevant insight for regions like Iloilo is the shifting emphasis from traditional education to continuous skilling.
In today’s rapidly evolving world, Jagannathan noted that what you learn today may quickly become obsolete tomorrow.
He pointed out the key to staying relevant in this dynamic landscape is not just acquiring knowledge but consistently upgrading skills to keep pace with technological advancements.
“Take, for instance, accounting—a profession traditionally considered a stable, long-term career. While it’s currently seen as a safe job, by 2030, it may be drastically transformed or even replaced by advanced technologies like AI and tools such as ChatGPT,” said Jagannathan.
These systems are already demonstrating the ability to handle accounting tasks more efficiently and accurately than humans, he stressed./PN
