MARCH 2011
U.P. Newsletter 9
Journal editors meet to help internationalize scientific journals KIM QUILINGUING
What does it take to “internationalize” a scientific journal? To answer this as well as other questions, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and UP Diliman’s Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Development (OVCRD) held a two-day seminar-workshop last February 17 and 18 on “Reinventing State Universities and Colleges Journals: Moves Towards Internationalization,” at the National Engineering Center in UP Diliman, Quezon City. In his opening remarks, then UPD Chancellor Sergio Cao said that journals of state universities and colleges (SUCs) play an important role in the development of science and technology (S&T) in the country. While government agencies and the academic institutions are supportive of research on S&T, the quality of the journals where these works are published still depends on the abilities and efforts of the researchers. National Scientist and UPD Professor Emeritus Lourdes Cruz said that the quality of Philippine scientific journals needs to be upgraded so that Philippine research and development (R&D) efforts could be visible to the international scientific community. She added that R&D is part of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) contribution to the im-
provement of the country. Cruz said that studies in S&T are an invaluable part of the development of industry and the economy. In terms of funding, Cruz noted the support to research and development by the Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE) and DOST. She said that in the next few years, the government plans to allocate at least one percent of the gross national product (GNP) to scientific research and development. With support mechanisms such as these, Cruz said that it would not be long before the works of Filipino scientists and researchers get published in journals and appreciated more by the international research community. Prof. Rosalie Faderon of the School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) said that the common problems in indexing Philippine journals are the journal publishers’ different criteria for indexing; the use of a foreign or local Filipino language in the publication’s index information; and the use of different computer software for the publication. Faderon said that Philippine scientific journals should be standardized by adopting formats for use by all academic and research institutions in the country. Among those who shared their
experience in the publication of journals were Dr. Maria Ela Atienza, UP Third World Studies Center director and Philippine Political Science Journal managing editor; Fr. Fraziano Batistella, founding editor of the Asia-Pacific Migration Journal; and Dr. Fortunato Sevilla III, editor of the University of Santo Tomas’ Acta Manilana. To know how journals from other countries are indexed and made recognizable to the international scientific community, Dr Narongrit Sombatsompop, head of Thailand’s Thailand Citation Index Center, said that through the adoption of a central repository of scientific publications and a standard indexing procedure, the works of Thai scientists and researchers were given due recognition by the international community. Andy Teo and Derrick Duncombe of Scopus explained the criteria and selection process they use in identifying journals to be included in the Scopus index. Scopus is an international database of peer-reviewed research works from several countries. Dr. Evan Bieske of the University of Melbourne and area chair of Content Selection and Advisory Board of Scopus also explained the criteria for evaluating scientific research. Attended by more than 70 participants from 15 SUCs and four private univer-
Prof. Corazon Villareal, Director, UPD Research, Dissemination and Utilization Office
sities, the two day seminar-workshop was organized to help solve problems encountered in the publication and indexing of scientific journals in the Philippines. The activity was also made possible with the support of the National Academy of Science and Technology.
UP celebrates 35th year of Philippine-Russia relations CSSP to train ARLYN VCD PALISOC ROMUALDO social science To mark the 35th anniversary of the nahing nandadaya, nanghuhuthot at suma- matic relations between the country and country’s diplomatic ties with Russia, the sakop nang pailalim sa atin sa loob din ng Russia should work for the progress of teachers in April UP Diliman Department of European Languages (DEL) and the Embassy of the Russian Federation to the Philippines held a forum titled “Ika-35 Taon ng Ugnayang Pilipino-Ruso: Tunguhin sa Harap ng mga Bagong Hamon at Banta ng Ating Panahon” last January 27 at the Faculty Center. The main speakers were DEL Prof. Herman M. Bognot and Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Philippines Nikolay Rishatovich Kudashev. Bognot said that 35 years of PhilippineRussia relations is a short time, considering the Philippines has already been a republic since 1898. He wondered how the Philippines failed to see the largest country in the world for 77 years. Looking at the country’s history will provide the answers, he said. Bognot cited Spain’s colonization and the American occupation of the Philippines as major factors that prevented diplomatic relations with Russia. As an example, he quoted Section 2 (a) (10) of The Philippine Independence Act of 1934, also known as the Tydings-McDuffie Act: “Foreign affairs shall be under the direct supervision and control of the United States.” The US as a world superpower heavily influenced the world, especially in the propagation and use of the English language. This, Bognot said, only hindered foreign relations between the country and nonEnglish speaking countries. “Ito pa naman ang wika ng pangunahing katunggali at kalaban ng Rusya sa loob ng halos 100 taon at ito rin ang wika ng bansang pangu-
mahigit 100 taon.” (This is the language of Russia’s foremost adversary—an enemy for almost 100 years and this is the language of the country that has cheated, plundered and underhandedly asserted its sovereignty over us for more than 100 years.) The best way for two countries to establish diplomatic relations, he said, is by using their own languages and consequently revealing their culture. He said that the easiest and most effective way of presenting one’s country to the rest of the world is by being true to its culture. Bringing in a third language such as English, he said, would only confuse and prevent people from seeing real intentions. Language is an integral part of culture and the use of the English language inherently comes with the ideas, traditions, rules and desires, among others, of the culture that primarily uses it. Kudashev, for his part, said that as early as 1817, Russia established a consulategeneral in Manila. It was not, however, recognized by the Spanish colonial officers as a legitimate diplomatic representation. Peter Dobel, who was appointed consulgeneral by the Russian government, was only allowed to stay in the Philippines as an unofficial representative of Russia. He said that at present, Russia continues to strengthen its ties with countries in the ASEAN region. In fact, he said, October 2010 saw the signing of a joint document during the 2nd ASEAN- Russian Federation Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam that aimed to reinforce the existing partnership in socio-cultural events and in the areas of finance, security and politics. According to Kudashev, the diplo-
each other, whether in the advancement of technology, enrichment of culture and the arts, improvement of governance and policy-making, development of infrastructure or expansion of economic trade. He said that Russia has much to learn from the Philippines, citing as examples the success in the use of geothermal energy, effective administration of the country’s export processing zones and its rich cultural heritage. Like Bognot, he recognized the importance of culture (the humanities, in particular) as a powerful tool in teaching and learning about Russia and the Philippines. He said that this year, Russia is commemorating Jose Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary by printing new editions of his novels. Russia, Kudashev added, is keen on helping the Philippines protect its citizens by providing assistance in the fight against corruption, as well as on issues related to law enforcement, security, peace and order and preservation of culture and cultural communities. He also expressed his government’s interest in the upcoming exchanges between members of the Philippine and Russian legislative bodies, which aims to provide both countries a better perspective of each other’s politics. Kudashev encouraged members of the UP community to visit Russia through the embassy’s cultural exchange programs and academic scholarships. He was also open to having a specific cultural exchange program with UP, in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) and the Social Sciences and Philosophy Research Foundation Inc. (SSPRF) will hold an extramural program for social science teachers at the CSSP Multi-Media and Audio-Visual Rooms from April 12 to 15. The program’s theme is “Going Back to Basics: Understanding Myths and Misconceptions in the Social Sciences.” Among the topics to be covered are myth-making and myth-breaking in the Social Sciences, misunderstandings in Philippine history, and population studies, and gender and sexual studies. The program also includes discussions on politico-psychological approaches to the study of political life and the political economy of contested spaces in FM radio. The speakers are columnist and CSSP Dean Michael Tan, as well as Profs. Ma. Bernadete Abrera, Neil Martial Santillan, Nestor Castro, Carlos Tatel, Earl Stanley Fronda, Pryor Aldous Placino, Mary Ann Gaitan-Bacolod, Clarita Carlos, Jalton Taguibao, Aurora Odette Mendoza, Arnie Trinidad, Josefina Cabigon and Ma. Theresa Batangan. For inquiries, you may call Prof. Neil Martial Santillan, associate dean for administration and external affairs, and Mrs. Ma. Dolores Castro at (632) 981-8500 (local 2436), (632) 926-2511 (telefax) or (63920) 969-0549. You may also send an email to admin-extram@kssp.upd.edu.ph, cssp _extramural@yahoo.com, mcastro @kssp.upd.edu.ph or yayadol@yahoo.com.