NAST PHL conducts RTD on Healthy Work and Living Environment
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The Roundtable Discussion (RTD) on Designing for Healthy Work and Living Environment was organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) through its Engineering Sciences and Technology Division (ESTD) on February 5, 2015 at Hotel Jen Manila. This RTD is the fourth in the series of discussions conducted in preparation for the upcoming 37th Annual Scientific Meeting in July, which centers on the role of different sciences in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Invited experts were Architect Anna Maria M. Gonzales, sustainability and planning manager of the Ayala Land, Inc. and Dr. Marilou D. Renales, chair of the Residency Training Program Committee of the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine. Acd. Aura C. Matias, RTD focal person from the Engineering Sciences and Technology Division served as the moderator.
Architect Gonzales discussed green living building design with focus on healthy ecosystems. An advocate of green living and indigenous architecture design, she explained land use and its relation to development as one of the components of green design. She highlighted the importance of integration of natural spaces to development by working with the natural characteristics of the area. Architect Gonzales shared that knowing the context of the location where you plan to build is an important consideration in sustainable design. She also explained the importance of encouraging non-motorized transportation (walking, biking, etc.) and creating a demand for it.
UPLB grads bag top 2014 MFET awards
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Two outstanding engineering graduates from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) were among the winners of the 2014 Magsaysay Future Engineers/ Technologists Award, conducted by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) on December 18, 2014 at the Hotel Jen.
Mr. Alvin James E. Asaytono and Mr. Gerard Jericho B. Ronquillo won first and third prizes, respectively. Asaytono, a chemical engineering graduate, presented his paper on “Enzymatic Modification of Dietary Fiber from Waste Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Pod Husks for Use as a Potential Food Ingredient”, while Ronquillo, a graduate of civil engineering discussed “Morphological and Characterization-based Verification of the Properties of Concrete with Amorphous Nanosilica Synthesized from Rice Hull Ash.” On the other hand, Mr. Andres Philip Mayol, a mechanical engineering graduate and alumnus of De La Salle University bagged the second prize for his research on “Investigation of the Drying Characteristics of Microalgae using Microwave Irradiation”. The three awardees were selected from a total of sixfinalists who competed for the said award.
Special citations were also given to the remaining finalists: (1) Mr. Alvin T. Chua of De La Salle Araneta University for his research “The Development of Modified Alkali Transesterification Reactor (Biodiesel Reactor) for Low Carbon Economy”; (2) Ms. Adelen Victoria P. Festin of the University of the Philippines Diliman for her study on “Communect: Secure Community Connection Using OpenBTS as an Alternative Base Station”, and (3) Mr. Paolo Francisco I. Matias of De La Salle University for his research entry “Investigation of the Drying Characteristics of Microalgae using Microwave Irradiation.”
The 15-minute paper presentation was followed by a brief open forum. Former Senator Ramon B. Magsaysay, Jr. and National Scientist Mercedes B. Concepcion, vice president of NAST presented the awards. In his message, Sen. Magsaysay urged the young engineers to become more competitive in their scientific and technological endeavors.
The Board of Judges was composed of Acd. Aura C. Matias, Chairperson, Acd. Reynaldo B. Vea, and Acd. Guillermo Q. Tabios. The MFET award is given annually by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), the country’s highest recognition and advisory body on matters related to science and technology, with funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The award has been established as recognition to outstanding research outputs on engineering and technology at the collegiate level. The competition is open to Bachelor of Science students enrolled in an engineering program or related fields, specifically in the areas of (a) biomedical engineering, (b) machinery, (c) engineering products, (d) engineering sources, and (e) product development.
The first, second and third prize winners received a cash prize of P50,000, P30,000, and P20,000, respectively and a plaque of recognition from NAST. Special citations received a cash prize of P10,000 each and plaque of recognition. The institution of the first prize winner will be given a research grant of P500,000 upon approval of a project/research proposal by DOST. (by: Darvin Rosa)
SALINLAHI EVOLUTION starts to heat up
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The Philippine Science Heritage Center officially launched Salinlahi Evolution, a game development competition for college students, on December 05, 2014. Despite the news of heavy rains that day, more than 80 participants were present to witness the unveiling of this innovative project of PSHC.
A symposium with the theme “Utilizing Digital Technology as a Tool for Learning” was held as part of the launching. Professor Alleli Ester C. Domingo, an Associate Professor in the Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños and Professor Roel C. Cantada, an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education, University of the Philippines Open University shared their knowledge and experience about how technology is being used as a supplement for teaching.
Also present during the launching were Ms. Luningning Samarita- Domingo, Director IV NAST Phl; Academician William G. Padolina, NAST Phl President; Ms. Ruby R. Cristobal, Chief of Science and Technology Manpower Education Research and Promotions Division, SEI; and Academcian Jaime Montoya, PSHC-NAST Working Committee Focal Person
More information about Salinlahi Evolution will be posted at www.nast.ph and at the PSHC Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pshc2013.