Empowering Future Cloud Innovators: Computrade Technology Philippines Leads AWS Workshop at University of Sto. Tomas (UST)

The University of Santo Tomas set the stage (both on-site and online) for one of Computrade Technology Philippines’ most dynamic and insightful student workshops to date. “Into the Amazon: Conquer the Cloud, One Trail at a Time” brought cloud computing to life for over 80 students, blending foundational knowledge with real-world AWS deployment. Held at the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Building’s EdTech Learning Studio and streamed virtually for remote participants, this four-hour hybrid session offered a hands-on exploration of today’s most relevant cloud technologies.

The event kicked off with a session titled The Canopy Layer: Cloud Computing Fundamentals, led by Anne Kathalene Ojastro, Cloud Engineer at Computrade Technology Philippines.

She walked students through the essential elements of cloud computing: what it is, how it works, and why it’s transforming industries across the globe. From public to hybrid deployments, and from infrastructure to platforms, her presentation laid the groundwork for deeper technical exploration. Anne emphasized the practical benefits of scalability, agility, and resilience: qualities today’s cloud-native businesses heavily rely on.

Following this, Vielka Angela Adap, also a Cloud Engineer at Computrade, delivered a compelling session on The Power of Four. Her discussion focused on four core AWS services: EC2 for compute, VPC for networking, RDS for databases, and S3 for object storage. With clarity and technical depth, she demonstrated how these tools work together to power secure, scalable, and cost-effective applications. For many in the audience, this was their first encounter with the AWS Console, yet Vielka’s structured approach made it accessible.

The learning didn’t stop at theory. As the excitement in the room built up, attendees transitioned into a guided hands-on activity. The goal: to deploy a highly available web application on AWS that can withstand fluctuating traffic without crashing. The students were led through the full process, from setting up two EC2 instances running identical backends, placing them behind an Application Load Balancer, to integrating Amazon RDS as the backend database. This simulation mirrored a real-world use case of how distributed architecture supports high-demand web platforms.

Throughout the activity, there was a sense of both challenge and accomplishment in the room. Many students were encountering AWS for the first time, and despite initial hesitation, they navigated through the console, provisioned services, and watched their applications come to life. One student shared that it was “so great to have a chance to attend a workshop like this,” reflecting how empowering it felt to move from curiosity to execution in just a few hours. The quote echoed a broader sentiment: one of possibility, curiosity, and confidence in exploring cloud careers.

The session was not only informative but also interactive and memorable. What stood out most was the enthusiasm of the students, especially upon realizing they had successfully configured load balancing, provisioned cloud infrastructure, and deployed a functioning application of skills aligned with real-world industry needs. The energy was palpable, and the sense of achievement, visible. To mark the occasion, all participants received themed stickers, cloud keychains, and certificates as small tokens that symbolized a significant leap forward in their learning journey. More importantly, they walked away with a practical understanding of cloud fundamentals, an appreciation for AWS’s core services, and a clearer picture of how modern systems operate under real workloads.

Behind this initiative stands Computrade Technology Philippines’ unwavering commitment to shaping the next generation of cloud leaders. Into the Amazon was more than just a workshop, it was all to action. By bridging education with innovation, Computrade empowers students not only to navigate the digital landscape, but to define it. As the cloud continues to evolve, so too does the company’s dedication to equipping future professionals with the skills, confidence, and mindset to lead the charge.

At Computrade Technology Philippines, we believe in helping every student, every innovator, and every organization live better with IT.