Make No Room for Online Pirated Content: Protect Your Data, Report Suspicious Websites, Buy Original

As we gear up for another school year, we face piracy threats with online publications at our fingertips. Books and other learning resources are becoming increasingly accessible, influencing how we study and learn. How safe are our learners, teachers, schools, publishers, and institutions in this environment? The recent cyberattack on the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) reveals the serious risks we face.

On April 2, local hackers breached the DOST network, compromising two terabytes of data, including personal information of employees and research plans, designs, and schematics. This incident underscores the vulnerability of online platforms to data breaches, particularly when cybersecurity measures are not regularly maintained, monitored, updated, and enhanced.

Protecting our online identity, fighting piracy, and supporting copyrighted content are crucial. Individually, we can secure online learning environments by teaching students to safeguard their personal data. This includes securing devices, avoiding public Wi-Fi, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and accessing only licensed learning management systems. Schools can configure desktops and laptops to prevent downloading certain file formats, especially scanned PDFs of textbooks. Learners and school personnel should practice these precautions at home and report suspicious websites.

Beyond data security and piracy risks, there is an important ethical aspect. Using pirated content infringes on copyright, undermines the hard work of content creators, jeopardizes their livelihood, and diminishes the recognition of their creativity and original work. Buying original content from legitimate sources shows respect for intellectual property rights, promotes integrity, and supports content creators.

Moreover, opting for original content benefits users, given the rigorous book development processes that help ensure high-quality, accurate information. By sourcing textbooks from legitimate providers, we can contribute to the fight against piracy, and at the same time, secure better learning experiences.

In addition to individual efforts, the government must advocate for and support content creators and book developers. Stronger anti-piracy laws and rigorous enforcement are essential, and public support and vigilance are crucial.

We must unite in this fight—society needs to stand together against piracy and uphold integrity in education.

As we start this new academic year, let us commit to being cybersafe and ethical in our use of online content. We can make smart, ethical choices. Say NO to piracy!

For a comprehensive lineup of legitimate educational resources, browse Rex Education’s 2024 Higher Education Catalog [here](https://online.flippingbook.com/view/956156329/2/).

Global call for proposals for “Go Green with Taiwan” campaign launched today

 

WITH the success of its “Sharing is Caring” campaign more than three years ago, the Taiwan International Trade Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs (TITA, MOEA) and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) launched today another global contest where anyone can submit program ideas aimed at making the world green again through the use of Taiwan products.

 

Called “Go Green with Taiwan,” the global sustainability program concept contest, hopes to inspire any group to come up with interesting ideas that will foster technological cooperation in making an environmentally and economically sustainable future possible, using products and solutions from Taiwan, a country that has achieved global renown for technologically advanced and life-changing innovations.

 

“Go Green with Taiwan” contest is open to participants who are either part of a company or any institution, such as colleges or universities, non-government organizations, public associations, among others. Submission of entries is made convenient by just filling out the online form and questionnaire: https://gogreen.surveycake.biz/s/eLGWV.

 

All submitted proposals will go through a qualification phase and will be reviewed further by a panel of environmental sustainability experts until the grand finals. Proposals will be evaluated for their excellence in four (4) categories: environmental and economic sustainability, feasibility, innovation, and the relevant use of products or solutions from Taiwan.

 

A total of Six finalists will get free round-trip tickets to Taiwan, including accommodations and other travel expenses. Three of the most outstanding proposals shall receive US$20,000 as prize money. The deadline for submission of proposals is on August 31, 2024. Winners will be announced by late December 2024.

 

According to TAITRA Chairman James Huang, they collectively promote the stories of Taiwanese enterprises' pursuit of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects to the international community. "Go Green with Taiwan" serves as an important gateway for international partners to first understand Taiwan's path to sustainability, where people around the world can learn how to find suitable partners in Taiwan for the future.

 

“Through the global call for proposals, we aspire not only to pursue business and technical cooperation but also to encourage Taiwanese industries to understand global sustainability issues and go international, creating more touching stories,” TAITRA Chairman Huang added.

 

Ms. Cynthia Kiang, General Director of TITA, emphasizes that with the specter of global climate change and rising energy demands facing the world today, many countries agree that developing green energy and a sustainable economy has become even more imperative, with carbon reduction and green sustainability as vital components in this crucial mission.

 

“To achieve this important goal, the government will actively collaborate closely with industries. Facing the climate crisis, we must resolutely implement the net-zero transition and promote ‘net-zero emissions’ and ‘clean energy’ without delay,” TITA General Director Kiang said.

 

She pointed out that Taiwan’s green industry boasts of advanced technologies, abundant software and hardware resources, a well-established R&D environment, and high-quality talent, that can produce stable and high value-added green materials and related products, making it an ideal partner for the international development of green energy and a sustainable economy, Ms. Kiang said in her remarks during the launch.

 

Dir. Kiang also emphasized that “Go Green with Taiwan” will fully showcase the joint efforts of the international community and Taiwan towards the sustainable development of the Earth, while the government will also continue to assist businesses and strive for more green business opportunities for them. “We firmly believe that Taiwan can contribute more to the international promotion of the sustainable green energy industry and make its significant contribution to environmental sustainability.”

 

For more details about “Go Green with Taiwan,” visit https://gogreen.taiwanexcellence.org/. For updates on “Go Green with Taiwan” activities, follow Taiwan Excellence on Facebook and Instagram https://www.facebook.com/TaiwanExcellence.ph/, https://www.instagram.com/taiwanexcellence_ph/?hl=en.

20 years of BDO ShopMore Mastercard: MORE Rewards, MORE Fun!

 

BDO Unibank celebrates the 20th anniversary of BDO ShopMore Mastercard by relaunching it with exciting new benefits and three new vibrant card designs, which applicants can choose from when they sign up.

 

Made from 100% recycled plastic, the new and improved BDO ShopMore Mastercard offers more rewards for more fun, such as:

·       FREE Membership Fee on the first year

·       250 Welcome Bonus Peso Points after the first purchase

·       2x Peso Points from everyday everywhere purchases

·       Extra Cashback instant savings, and year-round exclusive deals from in-store and online purchases from select partners*

·       Discounts on dining and food deliveries from select partners*

·       Buy Now, Pay Later deals from over 20,000 stores with 0% interest

*Terms and Conditions apply

 

“Enhancing BDO ShopMore Mastercard is our way of thanking our loyal clients and inviting new ones to enjoy its benefits,” said Ma. Nannette R. Regala, BDO Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Banking Group Marketing. “For two decades, BDO ShopMore Mastercard has been an indispensable shopping partner for many Filipinos. With a simple dip, tap, or using BDO Pay scan-to-pay, it has allowed users to bring home essential items that make their lives more convenient and rewarding.”

 

As the market also shifted to digital payments, ShopMore Mastercard cardholders have come to experience the safety and convenience of online shopping through trusted apps and websites. Cardholders can benefit from year-round offers from BDO’s partnerships with top eCommerce platforms such as Lazada, Shopee, GrabFood, and foodpanda to name a few, and enjoy discounts with restaurants offering as much as 50% off. It’s definitely a more colorful and more fun shopping experience as ShopMore Mastercard cardholders can also choose from different installment options that fit their budget and lifestyle.

 

They can also use it abroad; BDO ShopMore Mastercard is accepted in over 20 million locations in around 275 countries and territories.

 

In commemoration of its two decades in the market, BDO is setting up booths in SM Megamall (Mega Fashion Hall) on May 28, SM Seaside City Cebu (Mountain Wing) on June 21, and SM North Edsa (The Block Event Area) on August 8 for clients and mall-goers to rediscover and appreciate BDO ShopMore Mastercard’s benefits and rewards.

 

Experience More Rewards, More Fun with the all-new BDO ShopMore Mastercard. Get yours today! Visit the ShopMore booths or apply online at www.bdo.com.ph/mc-shopmore.