2 U.P. Newsletter
february 2012
‘Paliwanagan’ colloquium showcases research in UPD Andre Encarnacion
The Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Development (OVCRD) of UP Diliman (UPD) brought together students, faculty members and researchers for its 2012 Colloquium “Paliwanagan sa UP Diliman” last January 16. The colloquium showcased OVCRDfunded research and development (R&D) programs and initiatives, discussed the research process from proposal writing to IP dissemination/utilization, and reviewed the amount of support given to UP Diliman (UPD) researchers and their projects. Held at the National Institute of Physics, UPD, the colloquium featured presentations of concluded and ongoing research projects made possible by the OVCRD Open Grants and Source of Solutions Grants. The Open Grants support interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary researches and creative works which lead to evidence-based interventions, policies, and notable works/ technologies with excellent socioeconomic potential. Aiming to promote UPD as a microcosm of Philippine society and a “source of solutions” to many national problems, the Source of Solutions Grants provides support to projects, solutions and
Photo by Jun Madrid
creative works addressing immediate challenges and pressing concerns of UPD. Six Open Grants and 19 Source of Solutions Grants recipients had presented their project outcomes by the end of the colloquium. Dr. Joselito Duyanen was also in attendance to present the accomplishments of the UPD-CHED Zonal Research Center. “As it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez gets a name tag from Chit Loyola of the Office of the UP President university—researchers, during a dinner in honor of UP alumni in Congress last January 24 at the Executive House in UP Diliman. students, research staff, The alumni discussed ways of supporting the thrusts of the current UP administration led by the dinner’s host, President Alfredo Pascual. a d m i n i s t r a t o r s, a n d even outside research partners—to nurture intellectual property,” He spoke of the importance of intangible Open Grants program) promoted researches UPD Vice-Chancellor for Research and capital creation, specifically human capital that are cutting edge, have far reaching Development Benito Pacheco said as he generation – an area where universities can implications and have social development welcomed attendees. make their biggest contributions. Citing components.” UPD Chancellor Caesar Saloma data from 2004-2005, he mentioned that He also congratulated Saloma and introduced both the accomplishments of only about 10 percent of faculty members Pacheco for coming up with programs the OVRCD over a 13-year time-span and in the UP system had PhDs, and calculated like the Source of Solutions Grants, which of the UP System with respect to advanced that today the number could not amount will help lead to solutions to the country’s degrees and peer-reviewed publications. to 50 percent. “Most of our universities problems. “This initiative by the Saloma are not able to offer viable graduate degree administration is a component of the programs particularly in the sciences and in enabling environment for faculty and Committee to help select new UPB chancellor technology,” Saloma added, because of the researchers to support them in their quest shortage of PhD holders. to produce new knowledge and creative formed Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc In terms of peer-review publications, work.” A search committee has been formed Individuals and groups had until Saloma also said that UP Diliman, specifically Lastly, former UPD Vice-Chancellor to help the President and the Board of February 17 to submit nominations to the the College of Science, was responsible for for Research and Development and Regents select the next chancellor of UP Office of the Secretary of the University, a great number of those published each current program leader of the DOST-UP Baguio (UPB). The term of incumbent First Floor, Quezon Hall, or to any member year. “We hope that we will have a more Enterprise Center for Technopreneurship Chancellor Priscilla Supnet-Macansantos of the Search Committee. The latter has equal distribution in the coming years,” he Luis Sison commented on the changing ends on April 13, 2012. until March 15 to submit a report to the added. “We are going to design a program research paradigms brought about by Prof. Narcisa Canilao heads the president which will include the list of all not only to increase the absolute number multidisciplinary endeavors. Citing a New committee composed of Profs. Corazon nominees, assessment of their strengths of peer-review publications but also to York Times article about the team from IBM Abansi representing the senior faculty, and weaknesses and their suitability for the level the field… All disciplines must have that created a computer named “Watson” Zosimo Lee representing President position given the needs and thrusts of UP expertise especially with the problems the which defeated champions from the game Pascual, and Dymphna Nolasco-Javier Baguio. The president will submit the search country is facing.” show “Jeopardy,” Sison quoted: “From representing the junior faculty; Alicia committee report with his endorsement to Former UPD Chancellor and President the first, it was clear that we would have Follosco representing REPS; Ofelia Valencia the BOR on March 29. The BOR will then of Manila Tytana Colleges Sergio Cao to change the culture of how scientists representing the administrative staff; and select the new chancellor. congratulated the researchers and the work.” Cori Alessa Co, representing the students. President Pascual encourages all administrators who made the former’s The Paliwanagan theme reflected The committee is tasked to gather relevant stakeholders to participate actively in the projects possible. He described the Open the intentions of the colloquium, which information and interview the nominees search, “guided at all times by the ideals and Grants, which was instituted during his according to its book of abstracts “is and constituents, as well as outsiders. the best interests of the University.” time as chancellor, as “providing a bigger envisioned as a platform for dialogue research fund...for proposals among the UP Diliman researchers and from researchers coming from creative workers, a dialogue that is to be at least two different disciplines, conducted in the spirit of exchange and departments and colleges...(the understanding.”
Photo courtesy of Prof. Marot Flores
SRP guidelines approved
The Guro Formation Forum (GFF), composed mostly of UP professors and alumni who trace their roots to Pangasinan, conducted the international conference-workshop titled “Addressing the K to 12 Curricular Enhancement in Philippine Education in 2012” at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen, Pangasinan from January 19 to 21. Mrs. Carmen Pascual who hails from Lingayan, Pangasinan read before 2,200 participants the message of her husband, UP President Alfredo Pascual. During the conference-workshop, the government was challenged to address problems as a result of the K to 12 program like the two-year drought in enrolment in the tertiary level and the preparation by secondary schools in terms of availability of classrooms and other resources.
benefit. Among the “exclusions” are “regular part- time and nonregular (contractual, casual, project and job order) employees.” AUPWU said in a statement that after more than 10 months of lobbying and mobilizing for the implementation of SRP, its 1,000-strong contingent during the BOR meeting was a factor in the approval of the said benefit, as the implementing rules and regulations had been drafted in 2011. Speakers during the mass action said that despite the approval of the 10 Days SRP, the university’s workers are still facing other challenges. For example, the BOR has yet to finalize its decision on the case filed by a former UPLB Chancellor against then AUPWULB President Florendo Sambrano; and determine the validity of the
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charges against suspended UP Cebu Dean Enrique Avila who filed libel cases against complaining employees. UP President Alfredo Pascual said that he was for the approval of the SRP which was delayed due to the selection of chancellors for three UP campuses. Pascual also asked for the support of UP’s staff, REPS and faculty in conserving energy and water so that these savings may be used for additional benefits for UP employees and for other expenses. AUPWU National President Felix Pariñas said that most of the employees in UP remain contractual and were only regularized when they are about to retire. In another statement, Staff Regent Jossel Ebesate said that the strength of organization and collective action of the university’s staff paved the way for the grant of the SRP. He added that the workers of the university will link arms with the labor force inside and outside the academe.