by Carl Ian John Hallazgo, Biology Department
Five (5) faculty members of the Biology Department of Xavier Ateneo attended the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc (PSM)’s 52nd Annual Convention and Scientific Meeting held last 20-21 July 2023 at Hilton Manila, Pasay City.
Dr Judy P Sendaydiego, Dr Astrid L Sinco, Paolo Antonio S Fudalan, Reggie A Ladera, and Carl Ian John S Hallazgo were the faculty members who participated in the said convention with the theme, “Microbiology for Unity and Prosperity through Collaborations and Industry Linkages.”
Dr Reynaldo V Ebora, the Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARD) served as the keynote speaker and centered his lecture on advancing the Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (AANR) sector through collaboration and industry linkages in microbiology; a well-fit message based on the theme.
Various activities were prepared by the Society which were participated by budding and veteran microbiologists alike including the four plenary lectures given by experts both from the academe and industries. A major highlight of the two-day convention was the meeting of the Microbiology Consortium of the Philippines (MCP) with the higher education institutions (HEI)s wherein Xavier Ateneo is one of the 36 member HEIs of the said consortium. It was said that the roadmap for microbiology in the Philippines will focus on education, primarily through research and related aspects. At present, the Biology Department offers microbiology as a core subject of its Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-certified Center of Development BS Biology program.
PSM Photo caption
THE PSM MINDANAO, INC CHAPTER WITH THE NATIONAL OFFICERS AND SPEAKERS. The Mindanao Chapter participants pose for a group photo. Photo by Aleyla de Cadiz.