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METAEDU 21: Accelerating growth of Education Technology for Classroom of Tomorrow
Organized by Taiwan’s Industrial Development Bureau, METAEDU 21 discussed Education Technologies with themes focused on Innovative Diffusion, Talent Cultivation, and Ecosystem Integration. The event will also continue to be part of Smart City Online to connect Taiwan industry players to the world.
December 2, 2021 4:55 p.m.
TAIPEI — Taiwan’s Industrial Development Bureau, the administrative agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan, in collaboration with the Institute for Information Industry (III) and Digital Education Institute (DEI), organized the METAEDU 21, a series of hybrid events spanning from 1 November to 5 November. Accelerated the growth of education technology (EdTech), webinars and seminars delivered by experienced practitioners formed the lineup of the event.
COVID-19 EdTech Boom: Changing the face of EdTech
The COVID-19 pandemic has radically altered the way we live, work, learn, and play. While it has undeniably presented unique challenges that we had to – or have yet to – overcome, the pandemic has also catalyzed an unprecedented EdTech boom.
According to the 2021 Taiwan EdTech Industry Survey Report, the total output value of EdTech in Taiwan amounted to 16.4 billion U.S. dollars. Compared to 2020, the overall output value saw annual growth of 220.9%. Specifically, the pandemic has fuelled the growth in demand for teaching hardware, which in itself accounted for more than 80% of the total output value. teaching software, communication products, cloud video, and learning platforms, and teaching assistive devices, among other deployment requirements.
This stark growth not only points to the pandemic-driven EdTech boom but also cements Taiwan’s key position in the global information and communications supply chain amidst the pandemic.
Riding the wave to accelerate the growth of EdTech
METAEDU 21’s slogan – “Tomorrow We Together” – embodies the need for continued collaborations between industry players and stakeholders to accelerate the growth of EdTech.
The event saw active participation from government agencies of various countries, international research institutions, educators, global venture capital companies, and learning technology professionals from all around the world.
Taiwan stands on a new international stage and event visitors walked away with valuable insights and actionable takeaways.
Shaped around 3 major themes – Innovative Diffusion, Talent Cultivation, and Ecosystem Integration – the inaugural annual event focuses on accelerating the EdTech ecosystem in Southeast Asia by providing an open and collaborative platform.
The five-day-event was held and receiving much attention especially the first day HolonIQ online forum talked about 2021 Taiwan EdTech 50, the 2021 market research report and featured the sharing of award-winning companies on their business ideas and future development plans. HolonIQ is the world’s leading impact intelligence platform. They helped several EdTech event in Middle East, Africa, Asia, and this is the first time helping Taiwan to have the Taiwan 50 EdTech and giving the award acknowledgement. On the 2nd day the physical event ceremony giving the Taiwan EdTech 50 awards and the Eduathon – EdTech hackathon live competition. The new EdTech Proof of Concept experience zone that is jointly opened by Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam was also unveiled.
The other 3 days event was the online webinar which is the 2021 International Reading Education Online Forum; the SDG4 Development in SEA Region, experts from the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) and representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Communications (Pusdatin) were invited to share and explore the use of technology to accelerate the goal of digital equality; and the final day of METAEDU 21 was international investment experts and overseas startup teams and research institutions giving the EdTech Talk to deliver the investment cooperation, the necessary conditions, and the future of the industry, also the trends, transformation, and acceleration of international development cooperation. The webinars have recorded video available on Youtube channel – METAEDU.
Please visit the EdTech virtual pavilion here https://smartcityonline.org.tw/pavilion.php?vip=METAEDU&fbclid=IwAR3VXwfJQ6ax8xdPwIZ8cz61ftn1jy6AD84Wbu4tjy_9HuhqV39MmZvFnj4
METAEDU 21: Event Highlights
To learn more about the Taiwan EdTech market, check out these event highlights from METAEDU 21 here https://youtu.be/_9osLRCJQ_I
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Tesla Cybertruck winner bought 10 units of HONOR X9d 5G
2:56 p.m. April 21, 2026
Global leading AI device brand HONOR handed over the coveted Tesla Cybertruck to the winner of the HONOR X9d 5G “Win A Tesla Cybertruck” promo that ran during the toughest phone’s pre-order period January 9 to 23, 2026.
“The HONOR X9d 5G is our biggest win this year, and it continues to stand out in its category with its ultra-tough build, engineered to withstand everyday drops and pressure, making it a reliable companion for users with active lifestyles. This awarding marked a milestone not only for us, but also to our growing community of Filipino fans,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.
Launched as part of HONOR’s effort to bring excitement to the Filipino market, the HONOR X9d 5G Win-A-Tesla Cybertruck promo captured nationwide attention, drawing strong participation from consumers eager to experience the smartphone’s exceptional durability, long-lasting battery life, and sleek design—while also getting a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime prize.
The much-anticipated turnover celebrated excitement and the rewarding experience that HONOR continues to bring to its consumers. The grand winner, Lorelyn Felonia, who purchased 10 pieces of HONOR X9d 5G during the promo period, drove home not just a powerful smartphone but also one of the rarest vehicles in the world.
To award the multi-million prize were HONOR Philippines Country Manager Sean Yuan, Digital Marketing Manager and Content Lead Eason De Guzman.
With the successful conclusion of the campaign, HONOR Philippines looks forward to launching more exciting initiatives that combine cutting-edge technology with equally compelling rewards to its loyal HONOR fans.
To learn more about this exciting news, visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com, and follow HONOR Philippines on Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines) for exclusive teasers, launch updates, and big reveal.
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#GCashTipidTips: DOTr-mandated 50% discounted MRT-3 fares can be availed via GCash
6:15 p.m. April 18, 2026
STARTING April 23, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has implemented a discounted fare matrix for single-journey tickets, stored-value cards, and cashless payments in response to rising consumer prices.
Passengers of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) can easily avail of the discounted fare via the GCash app by using the GCash Commute QR, NFC-enabled Android phone, or GCash Visa card. Commuters can skip the ticketing booth lines and go directly to the platforms, making travel more convenient and seamless.
The GCash payment schemes have been up and running at MRT-3 since July last year, providing commuters with cashless options for their daily travels.
The goal is simple: to make everyday transactions more affordable, accessible, and seamless for Filipinos.
For more information, please visit https://help.gcash.com/hc/en-us/articles/49102305024025-Can-I-use-GCash-for-transportation
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DigiPlus levels up user engagement with ArenaPlus’ P1B Prediction Giveaway
5:10 p.m. April 7, 2026
DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the country’s pioneer and leader in digital entertainment, through its flagship sportsbook platform ArenaPlus, formally launched its P1 Billion Prediction Giveaway last Saturday, March 21, heralding a major step-up in its customer acquisition and retention strategy.
This initiative is anchored by a high-stakes prediction challenge designed to invite new users onto ArenaPlus, while also deepening player participation and reinforcing brand leadership in the Philippine online sportsbook space. Central to this campaign is the introduction of a localized tournament bracket game—a staple in American sports culture that ArenaPlus is pioneering for the local market.
“We want to bring some excitement for the Filipino basketball fans, especially since we know that the NBA is the most popular sport here. The bracket game is actually very common in the US. It’s been running there constantly for years, but the Philippines has never had that experience. We want to bring that here,” said ArenaPlus Head Erick Su.
By offering the ₱1 Billion Prediction Giveaway as a free-to-play initiative, DigiPlus enables fans to engage in the tournament without any monetary commitment. Su emphasized that the campaign is designed to provide a safe, entertainment-led experience, with the bracket format sustaining interest from the opening round of the Playoffs through the Finals, where one team ultimately prevails.
“I think the excitement will be from beginning to the end. Because the bracket game covers the whole stage of the Playoffs, fans can expand their predictions and go along with the whole process and expect that they can win,” Su said. “So that’s going to bring a lot of excitement. And this is completely free and very safe as we want to entertain Filipinos.”
Amplifying the campaign that launched at Mall of Asia Sky Deck Amphitheater in Pasay City was premier host and actor Luis “Lucky” Manzano, who was also introduced as ArenaPlus’ latest brand ambassador. Joining Manzano were fellow endorsers Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Justin Brownlee, multi-time champion assistant coach Bong Ravena, and his son, international pro Thirdy, who are effectively raising ArenaPlus’ visibility while also broadening the brand’s demographic reach.
“At ArenaPlus, we are relentless with our commitment to elevate our players’ experience, making sports more fulfilling, more immersive, and more rewarding for every Filipino,” said ArenaPlus Marketing Head Hannah Bagui as ArenaPlus continues to differentiate itself by pioneering accessible digital sports entertainment.
While the campaign is designed to drive wide participation, ArenaPlus emphasized that it intends to maintain strict platform integrity through its rigorous eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) process. Such a guardrail bolsters an already rich suite of responsible gaming tools built into ArenaPlus, such as options to set daily gaming durations, customize specific gaming schedules, and establish daily loss limits. This ensures that while the campaign achieves great reach, it does so within a secure, transparent, and compliant environment that builds trust.
Through these strategic customer activations and continuous platform innovation, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. continues to solidify its legacy as the definitive pioneer of the Philippine digital entertainment industry, driving growth while also redefining user engagement
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