The Scientific Career System (SCS) in collaboration with the Philippine Association of Career Scientists (PACS), Inc. successfully held its Annual Meeting and 8th Scientific Symposium at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel last October 1 with the theme “Science in the Age of #”. The event was highlighted by presentations on various topics led by the country’s leading expert in science education and renowned disaster scientist and the scientists of the Scientific Career System.
The event was graced by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) President and Scientific Career Council (SCC) Member William G. Padolina and Civil Service Commission (CSC) and SCC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III who shared insightful messages with the audience composed of mainly scientists and students and officials from various universities on the importance of recognizing the works of scientists and enabling them to become more productive in research.
Dr. Padolina commended the timeliness of the theme in relation to today’s fast changing technologically equipped environment, “that is going highly digital and exponential.”
Chairman Duque, on the other hand, was given a warm tribute by the SCS scientists with a couple of video presentations that portrayed the Chairman as a family man, a loving father and a selfless public servant who has contributed to the development of Civil Service in the country and also to the improvement of the implementation of the Scientific Career System.
The guest speakers were Dr. Queena Lee-Chua, Professor at Ateneo de Manila University and Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, Executive Director of the DOST’s Project NOAH and Professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Dr. Chua, a multi-awarded educator in psychology and cognitive learning, delivered a powerful lecture on the “immersive” effect of electronics and technological gadgets especially on young children and the youth, the importance of balanced exposure to these technologies and educating the children about a sense of control over the use of these gadgets. Dr. Chua believes that technology should be used well to increase productivity. In order to produce more scientists and mathematicians, today’s youth should have a balanced exposure to technology. “Learning is painstaking, slow, and boring but it has to be done,” she reiterated.
On the other hand, Dr. Mahar Lagmay showed how technologies and hazard maps can be used in managing disaster risks to safeguard Filipinos from natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes. Dr. Lagmay stressed the importance of making reliable, accurate and timely information on disaster warnings readily accessible to the general public to help them make informed decisions. Dr. Lagmay said that Project NOAH allows local governments, the private sector and the local communities to be active partners in the disaster risk reduction and management efforts.
The second part of the program highlighted the notable works of five SCS scientists and the recent advances in their respective research works. These scientists and their topics are: Dr. Mary Jane Amar, Scientist I, from the University of the Philippines Visayas “Improvement of Feed Formulation for Milkfish Culture in Ponds and Cages;” Dr. Lucille V. Abad, Scientist I from the DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, “Radiation Processing and Its Applications;” Dr. Danilda H. Duran, Scientist I of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) “Livestock Reproductive Biotechnology Initiatives to Address Food Security and Climate Change;” Dr. Eusebio Z. Dizon, Scientist III of the National Museum, “Philippine Prehistory;” and Dr. Susan May F. Calumpang, Scientist I from UP Los Baños, “Repellency of Tagbak and Kakawate Plant Volatiles to Rice Green Leaf Hopper.”
Scientists of SCS constitute a pool of experts in their respective field of disciplines who aside from performing R&D activities are also committed to knowledge sharing with the general public through presenting their works to a larger audience to increase the public’s appreciation of science and promote their scientific works.