It was an evening of firsts at the final round of the UP Gawad Pangulo Choral Competition on March 4. Not only was it the maiden edition of the system-wide contest but it was also the first time that the university had, in the words of President Alfredo Pascual, “a performing arts competition where [it] engaged the whole UP.” What’s more, it was the newly-formed choral ensemble from UP Los Baños, in its inaugural performance at that, which brought home the grand prize. The winning group was the Makiling Chamber Singers. Created to support long-time choristers in reviving their passion for choral singing and performing on […]
UP names top scientists based on h-index and citation count
Dr. Antonio Dans of the College of Medicine in UP Manila and Dr. Arnel Salvador of the National Institute of Physics in UP Diliman have the most number of citations and the highest h-index values in UP. This is according to the latest rankings generated by UP for its own pool of scientists and researchers as of 4 March 2016. A total of 111 scholars were in the two lists that included those with at least 100 citations and an h-index value of 5 or higher. The figures were based on their Google Scholar profiles. Early in December 2015, Vice President for Academic Affairs […]
Final version of the GE framework to be discussed by university councils
The final version of the UP General Education (GE) Framework is now with the university councils for discussion and ratification. Crafted by the GE Framework Task Force, the document first went through a series of consultations with the constituent universities (CUs) before reaching the February 2015 UP System-wide GE conference where 150 select participants concurred on the proposed revisions. It was finally presented to the President’s Advisory Council in November 2015. The task force and UP System GE Council, in joint meetings, further amended the draft which resulted in the final version. Once approved by the university councils, the GE Framework will be recommended to the Board of Regents for approval. A test […]
UP hosts the Philippines’ first Asian Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena
For the first time, the Philippines played host to the Asian Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena. The 9th edition of the conference was held from 22 to 24 February 2016 at the National Institute of Physics in UP Diliman. It was supported by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs through the Office of International Linkages. With 23 plenary talks and a poster session, the gathering allowed scientists and engineers to update each other on the latest advances in ultrafast optics and their various applications. It was also an opportunity for students in physics, chemistry, biology, material science and engineering to know more about the field. […]
Australia-ASEAN Council grants to support collaborative activities
The Council will prioritize funding for activities which: Increase people-to-people linkages between Australia and South-East Asian countries, particularly between people and institutions that have the capacity to influence others; Increase knowledge and understanding in Australia of South-East Asian countries, and the opportunities they present; and Enhance awareness and understanding in Australia and South-East Asia of each other’s cultures, values and traditions. In 2016-17, the AAC priority countries are: The Philippines (70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with Australia, 2016), and Malaysia (60th Anniversary of Independence and Diplomatic Relations with Australia, 2017). Knowledge development is the overarching theme for the AAC. Funding […]
Concepcion Dadufalza Award goes to UP biologist with a spirit to serve
He is a “field biologist with a ‘serve the people’ mindset.” This is how Dr. Perry Ong, professor at the UP Diliman Institute of Biology, describes himself in a nutshell. And the University couldn’t agree with him more, choosing him as the latest recipient of the Concepcion D. Dadufalza Award for Distinguished Achievement. An expert in urban biodiversity, ecology systematics, DNA barcoding, the biology of Philippine wildlife, and biodiversity conservation, Dr. Ong has contributed significantly to the conservation of the critically endangered Philippine Eagle Phithecophaga Jefferyi as well as the near threatened Philippine tarsier. His research works likewise center on the restoration of forests such as […]
OVPAA symposium to showcase creative work and research accomplishments
Researchers from different UP constituent units will present their creative work and research outputs in a symposium to be convened by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) on March 1 and 2. To be held at the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM) Auditorium in UP Diliman, it will feature 40 oral presentations from the basic sciences, mathematics, social sciences, arts, literature and economics. The featured projects were funded by the Enhanced Creative Work and Research Grant program (formerly known as the Creative Work and Research Grant) under the OVPAA. ECWRG aims to encourage members of the faculty and REPS to undertake research that […]
UP biologists discover new giant flower found only in the Philippines
A new species of Rafflesia, with an average diameter of 9.73 centimeters has been discovered by a team of UP biologists near the Pantabangan Masiway Hydroelectric Power Plant (PMHEP) in Nueva Ecjia. This amazing new discovery now holds the world record of being the smallest among giant flowers. Named Rafflesia consueloae, this new species has been published in the open access journal Phytokeys last (date of publication). The Rafflesia consueloae is found only in the Philippines and so far thrives in only two sites in the Pantabangan watershed area. The Rafflesia is a parasitic plant which can reach up to 1.5 meters […]
RDG Conference Report of Kathrine V. Maxwell
Write up about the Conference The 7th South China Sea Tsunami Workshop (SCSTW-7) aims to weave an international academic net,in which strong interactions and collaborations among coastal physical oceanographers, geophysicists, and engineers from the countries in South China Sea Region were combined together. It creates a forum where potential devastating tsunami disaster and hazard mitigation in this region can be profoundly discussed. Aside from the workshop , two field trips to the 921 Earthquake Museum and the nuclear power plant were arranged so that participants could learn the earthquake hazards surrounding Taiwan and the region. Feedback on paper presented The […]
RDG Conference Report of Rocky T. Marcelino
Write up about the Conference The conference provided venue for ASEAN agricultural scientists. The plenary sessionhighlightedJapan’s response to the Fukushima tragedy and how their knowledge on agriculture helped citizens to cope up with the disaster. Each country chapter of ISSMS was also given the chance to present their executive committee and their accomplishments for the year. Parallel sessions were held In the NODAi Academia Center. Each speaker was given 15 minutes to discuss his/her research. Questions were then asked after each speaker. Participants are composed of delegates from Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam,Cambodia, and Philippines. Feedback on paper presented After the […]
