Nuclear Technology Applications to be Featured in 38th Atomic Energy Week Celebration
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Nuclear science and technology applications in agriculture, medicine, industry and the environment will be featured in activities during the 38th Atomic Energy Week (AEW) celebration on December 6 – 10, 2010 at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) - Department of Science and Technology.
PNRI Director Alumanda dela Rosa said that the theme for this year’s AEW celebration is Accelerating Socio-Economic Development through Nuclear Science and Technology.
Representative Angelo Palmones, Vice Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives is the keynote speaker at the opening ceremonies program on December 6. The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Dr. Yukiya Amano is the guest speaker at the closing ceremonies on December 10.
The activities slated for the 38th AEW celebration include the opening of exhibits on December 6, technical sessions for professionals and students on December 7, on-the-spot poster making and essay writing contests for high school students on December 8, video showing and guided tours from December 6 to 10.
Mutant ornamental plants, irradiated beehives and other products of nuclear science and technology applications will be part of the AEW exhibits at the PNRI during the week-long celebration.
The topics for the technical sessions on December 7 and the speakers are : “Local Availability of Technecium-99m (Tc99m) for Enhanced Nuclear Medicine Applications thru the Setting-up of the PNRI Tc99m Generator Facility” by Adelina Bulos, Head of PNRI’s Isotope Techniques Research Section; “Biofertilizers”, Juliet Anarna of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the University of the Philippines in Los Banos; “Prospects of Radiation Processing Applications by Gamma and Electron Beam in the Philippines” by Dr. Lucille Abad, Head of PNRI’s Chemistry Research Section and Luvimina Lanuza, Head of Irradiation Services; and “Using Isotopic and Radiotracer Techniques in the Management of Coastal Resources in the Philippines”, Elvira Sombrito PNRI Consultant and expert of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
For those who are interested to participate in the various activities during the 38th Atomic Energy Week celebration, you may call Justina Cerbolles, PNRI Information Officer, at 920 8787 or 929 6010 to 19 extension 286.
Philippine Government National Single Window
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Calling all Traders! Apply for your import and/or export permit and clearance the easiest way! Transact at the comfort of your own home or office. Do it now!
The Philippine Government has launched the National Single Window (NSW), which is a computerized internet-based system that allows parties involved in trade to lodge information and documents with a single entry point to fulfill all import, export and transit-related regulatory requirements.
It is a Philippine Government projected mandated by Executive Order 482 and spearheaded by the Bureau of Customs. NSW is now up and operational on 27 different government agencies that facilitate trade.
To know more about NSW, please visit https://nsw.gov.ph or call NSW Helpdesk at (63 2) 5135301 to 5135302.
Young PNRI Scientist Selected as One of the Top 5 National Finalist of the Novartis International Biotechnology Workshop (BioCamp)
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BioCamp is a pioneering biotechnology seminar organized by research-based Swiss healthcare company Novartis for entrepreneurial, postgraduate students in the natural sciences who are interested in pursuing a career in biotechnology. Participants to the International BioCamp are selected through Local BioCamps organized in the over 140 countries where Novartis operates.
Admission to the International BioCamp is highly competitive. The selection process starts with the stringent screening of the required documents, which include the candidate’s resumé, motivation letter and application form. Local BioCamp participants who pass the initial screening then undergo an initial interview conducted by a panel of judges. Based on the interviews, the judges select five shortlisted candidates who must each prepare for a final case presentation. The criteria for selection include academic credentials, professional focus, presentation/communication skills, leadership potential, and innovation.
From the almost 120 participants of the Local BioCamp held on July 12, 2010 at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati City , judges shortlisted (Top 5) the following:
- Mr. CHITHO FELICIANO, Candidate, Master of Science in Microbiology & Biotechnology, University of the Philippines , Diliman Campus (UP-Diliman), PNRI, ARD, Biomedical Unit;
- Ms. KRISTINE JEANNE YAP , Candidate, Master of Science in Medical Microbiology, (UP-Manila);
- Mr. JORDAN TUN, Candidate, Master of Science in Molecular Medicine, St. Luke’s College of Medicine (SLCM);
- Mr. CARLO CASTILLO, Candidate, Master of Science in Molecular Medicine (SLCM) and
- Ms. KAREN ROSAL, Master in Molecular Biology at Okayama University in Japan.
Novartis Philippines works with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in organizing the Local BioCamp. Other Local BioCamp partners are Intellectual Property Philippines and Hybridigm Consulting, the country’s first biotechnology consulting firm.
For this year’s Local BioCamp, the panel of judges consisted of Dr. Jaime Montoya, Executive Director of the DOST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development; Dr. Francis Domingo, Novartis Philippines Chief Scientific Officer (CSO); Ms. Rose Katalbas, Novartis Philippines Human Resources Director; and Dr. Epifanio Evasco, Bureau of Patents Director. Ms. Christine Liwanag, Novartis Philippines corporate affairs & market access Director, heads the Local BioCamp program.
“Through BioCamp, we hope to enhance the knowledge and skills of Filipino scientists which we believe is important in improving the quality of Philippine healthcare,” according to Mr. Eric van Oppens, President & CEO of Novartis Healthcare Philippines.
IAEA INVITING PROPOSALS FOR 2010 COORDINATED RESEARCH PROJECTS
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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is calling on research institutes in Member States to submit proposals for participation in their Coordinated Research Programme which is aimed at encouraging research, development and the practical application of atomic energy for peaceful uses.
The financial support to be provided normally comes in the form of a lump-sum cost-sharing contract, which entails an average of €5000 per annum contribution by the IAEA towards the total estimated cost of the project. The counterpart, on the other hand, is expected to bear the remaining overhead and other costs of the project. In addition, the chief scientific investigators of the project are invited to attend periodic research coordination meetings at the IAEAs expense in order to have a gainful exchange with other contractors and experts in their field.
The identified research areas for the current year include: energy development; sustainable agriculture; application of nuclear techniques to address diseases (such as HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, and carcinoma); environmental resources management; radiation technology in industry; and radioactive waste management, among others.
More detailed information can be obtained from the IAEA website: http://cra.iaea.org, including the forms for submission of a proposal.
