13 March 2026, Batac, Ilocos Norte — In the recently concluded Campus Network Design and Operations (CNDO) Workshop, facilitated by experts from the Network Startup Resource Center (NSRC) and supported by TEIN*CC/ Asi@Connect, women engineers were active participants in the discussion and hands-on group workshops aimed at improving the design, management, and security of network infrastructure of participating institutions from academe, hospitals, and local government units in the Ilocos Region. 

Women Strengthening Skills Through Technical Training 

For Sarah Jane Ferrer, Assistant Professor IV and ICTMO Coordinator at Pangasinan State University – Bayambang Campus, increasing women’s participation in technical training programs such as the CNDO is an important step toward building a more inclusive technology sector. 

“It is important to see more women participating in technical capacity-building programs because it promotes gender equality in the technology field, especially in network-related activities, where men are usually the ones in charge,” Ferrer said. She noted that training opportunities like the CNDO workshop help encourage more women to develop technical skills in networking while contributing new perspectives that strengthen innovation and problem-solving in technology. 

Meanwhile, Cristine Gay C. Estavillo, Computer Programmer I at Mariano Marcos State University, shared how the training provided an opportunity to deepen her expertise in network technologies. 

“I’ve always been interested in network configurations. This training provided a valuable platform to sharpen my technical skills and adopt industry-standard best practices for secure and efficient configurations,” Estavillo said.  

She added that seeing more women in technical events like this is an encouraging development for the industry, “Seeing more women attend events like these is truly empowering, it creates a vital platform to showcase our expertise in the industry.” 

Similarly, Aira Shane Dacanay, Computer Operator from the City Government of Batac, highlighted how women’s participation in the technical training can inspire others to pursue careers in information technology. “It is essential to see more women participate in technical capacity-building programs like this, as it can inspire other women to develop an interest in the field of IT,” she said. 

She added that initiatives like the CNDO workshop also help address the growing demand for digital skills by equipping participants with competencies aligned with the needs of the IT industry. 

The importance of building these skills extends beyond individual professional growth to strengthening the broader research and education network ecosystem. Steven Huter, Director of the NSRC emphasizes that, “Core networking skills form the foundation of how data moves across the globe. Knowing where to route and where to switch in your networks enables efficient data flows for international science collaborations. NSRC supports the objectives of DOST-ASTI and PREGINET leadership to build network and human capacity that strengthens science and technology infrastructure in support of national development goals."

Navigating the Networking Field as Women 

Beyond the training itself, women participants also reflected on their experiences working in a field where women remain underrepresented. 

For Rhona Mhea Joy Agtang, Cybersecurity Analyst at Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center, working in networking requires navigating an environment where women are still few. “One of the challenges is interacting and socializing with other professionals in the field. There are only a few women in this career. Sometimes you need to adjust and understand different perspectives because most of your colleagues are men,” Agtang shared. 

Despite these challenges, she believes the experience creates opportunities for growth, “Being open-minded is very important because that is where opportunities come in. The more open-minded you are, the more experiences and knowledge you can gain.” 

Their stories highlight how women continue to make their mark in networking and digital infrastructure—fields that play a critical role in enabling modern research, education, and government services. As more women participate in technical training and professional development opportunities, they are helping build not only stronger networks, but also a more inclusive technology community for the future. 

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The training was made possible by funding support from the TEIN*CC/ Asi@Connect Project, and locally organized by DOST-ASTI, the Asia Open RAN Academy, and Mariano Marcos State University. MMSU also served as the host institution for the training and experts from NSRC.