The National Institute of Physics (NIP) was recognized by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) as 2014 Most Outstanding Institution “for its contributions to the country as the leading center for physics research and education [with] sound academic and research policies geared for excellence [and] sustained and increasing generation of new knowledge.” The award was conferred to the UP Diliman-based institute at the 82nd NRCP General Membership Assembly held last March 11, 2015 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila. Dr. Roland Sarmago, NIP director, received the award on behalf of the Institute. The NIP believes that the […]
Consensus reached on proposed revision to the GE program
A consensus was reached among 150 General Education (GE) champions, advocates, implementers and members of the GE councils of all UP constituent universities (CUs) on the proposed revision to the GE program. In the UP System-wide GE Conference held in Tagaytay City last February 5 and 6, the plenary agreed to keep the required number of GE courses within 21 to 36 units and to let the CU decide on the ratio of required and elective courses. Most CUs agreed to adopt the 11 recently developed GE courses as required or core courses. The CUs intend to test run the proposed […]
Three new officials join OVPAA
The Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) has new administrators on board. Former UP Diliman vice chancellor for administration Mary Delia Tomacruz will be heading R&D resource management as one of the four assistant vice presidents for academic affairs. Dr. Luis Sison, vice chancellor for research and development of UP Diliman from 2006 to 2011, is now at the helm of the OVPAA-affiliated Technology Transfer and Business Development Office. Finally, Dr. Aaron Joseph Villaraza, associate professor at the Institute of Chemistry, will be providing leadership to the Office of International Linkages as its first deputy director. A […]
UP Diliman celebrates the International Year of Light with multi-disciplinary symposium IlumiNASYON
The Philippines joins hands with the rest of the world in observing the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies 2015 (IYL 2015). In UP Diliman, the National Institute of Physics (NIP) is at the forefront of the celebration with the multi-disciplinary symposium called IlumiNASYON. To be held on 9 and 16 March 2015, IlumiNASYON aims to illustrate how light has benefitted society and how it continues to capture our imagination. Speakers will give popularized versions of the basic principles of optical effects used in their studies, and the evolution and current level of their research as it relates to the present state of […]
Good practices, successful models to be discussed in system-wide Academic Leadership Conference
Given the rapidly evolving internationalized landscape coupled with the rise and infusion of technology in education, it has become imperative for the University of the Philippines (UP) to implement infrastructural and cultural changes in major aspects of academic life. Such changes, including shifts in skill requirements, attitudes and knowledge, are necessary to promote and enhance academic excellence and institutional relevance in the 21st century. The Constituent Universities (CUs) have been inspired to revisit their curricula and programs vis-à-vis their niches and UP’s role in national development as well as to examine new technology-enhanced pedagogy that would improve teaching, learning, research, […]
APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (ASPIRE)
The call for nomination for the APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (ASPIRE) through APEC Policy partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) is now open. For its host year of 2015 the Philippines selects “Disaster Risk Reduction: Understanding the Role of Climate Change and Variability” as the ASPIRE nominating theme. This theme focuses on innovative technologies that may help economies adapt to the changing climate, protect the natural environment, and build resilient and sustainable societies. Nominees should demonstrate excellence in scientific research, as evidenced by scholarly publication, and cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies in subjects such […]
EIDR Cycle 6 First Batch
The following are invited to submit their full proposals. EIDR CODE TITLE PROGRAM LEADER PROJECT LEADERS C06-003 Molecular and Culture-Based Characterization of Bacterial Community from Selected Hyperalkaline Environments in the Philippines and Laboratory Scale Production of an Industrially Important Metabolite Nacita B. Lantican (IBS, UPLB) Ma. Genalyn Q, Diaz, Noel G. Sabino, Andrew D. Montecillo C06-006 Lake to watershed ecosystems assessment (LAWA) program toward a more sustainable management of large urban lake systems (Physical hazards, pollution, watershed management and ecosystems assessment) Maria Victoria O. Espaldon (SESAM, UPLB) Betchaida Payot, Noelynna Ramos, Nathaniel Bantayan C06-009 Is […]
Academe, industry partner for an international symposium on geosciences
Local and foreign experts from different fields of the earth sciences gathered to discuss new findings and innovations in an international symposium convened by the Rushurgent-Working Group (RWG) of the University of the Philippines (UP) National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS). The symposium, titled Crust-mantle Evolution in Active Arcs, was held last February 12 and 13, 2015 at Sequoia Hotel in Quezon City. The first day highlighted new knowledge and scientific data on tectonics, igneous and sedimentary geochemistry, paleontology and geophysics, while the second day dealt with new data that has uses in industry and in geohazard assessment. The tone of the […]
Behavior of mice shows importance of individual training in group emergency escape
Knowledge of how groups escape in emergency situations is crucial to human safety but how can experiments on crowd emergency evacuation be performed under genuine settings? The solution, as conceived by a group of researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman, is to study the behavior of mice under duress. According to Drs. Caesar Saloma, Gay Jane Perez, Catherine Ann Gavile, Jacqueline Judith Ick-Joson and Cynthia Palmes-Saloma, experimenting with mice avoids serious ethical and legal issues that arise when dealing with unwitting human participants while minimizing concerns regarding the reliability of results obtained from simulated experiments using actors. Mice were […]
