PUSA 2024: UST spurs Science academic affiliates
Words by: Steffi Abigail Lee, Morris Tan, Tobey Calayo
As part of this year’s Modified Enhanced Online and Onsite Week of Science (MEOOWS) celebration, faculty staff of the UST College of Science (CoS) were recognized for the contribution and advancements in their respective fields of science during the Parangal ng UST-Science Awards (PUSA) 2024, held on March 18 at the UST Medicine Auditorium.
True to the college’s virtue “Galing Science, Galing Science”, the event featured outstanding staff and students who have excelled this academic year (AY) under categories of staff awards, faculty evaluations, “Gawad Galing Awards”, academic, and extracurricular achievements.
In his opening remarks, CoS Dean Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, Ph.D. congratulated the awardees and encouraged them to continue inspiring the CoS community while contributing to the growth and engagement of science and technology.
For the staff awards, the highest evaluation was given to Mr. Joselito Payuran and Mr. Delfin Tampos. Mr. Reynaldo F. Sapnu and Mr. Lauro B. Llorera received the Hiyas Awards for their 30 years of service while Mr. Dioniso Layacan for his 40 years of service.
Based on a comprehensive student and faculty evaluation for the second term of AY 2022-2023 and the first term of AY 2023-2024, Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, and Instructors were awarded.
In response to winning the top faculty award, Mr. Vitus Paul De Jesus states that he is “one happy awardee” and that these awards would definitely inspire him to do more for our Science Community. “Love your craft. Look around and there are many things where you can draw the needed inspiration from to do just that”, he encourages students.
“Science is for everyone and it is meant to be shared. The teaching and learning of Science should be inclusive then. In doing so, the community should ensure that all Science curricula can genuinely respond to the needs of learners with unique learning contexts,“ Mr. De Jesus added.
Professors were also recognized for publishing Scopus-indexed, high quartile journals, and are acclaimed as members of the H-index Hall of Fame. Scopus is a collection of globally-recognized journals that have been assessed by quartile categories based on reputability and significance.
CoS also awarded their industry partners such as University of the Philippines-Diliman, Unilab Philippines and National Children’s Hospital for providing their expertise and resources to facilitate the success of many research projects conducted by the college.
Moreover, students belonging to the St. Albert The Great Circle Awardee for the 2nd term of A.Y. 2022-2023 and 1st term of A.Y. 2023-2024 were given recognition for garnering a general weighted average of at least 1.250.
In the end, the college collectively grants titles to and with each run of the departments for the current academic year. The Department of Biological Sciences received recognitions for having the greatest number of student achievers and student participants in national symposia, and as co-authors in journal publications. The Psychology department garnered the highest score in the recent AUN accreditation visit.
PUSA 2024, a testament to the college’s unwavering dedication in service of quality education, was concluded by Asst. Dean Prof. Ma. Claudette Agnes where she extends her warmest gratitude to the professors, non-academic staff, students, and parents for their joint action towards excellence and competence.
