By Edd K. Usman
The National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), is hosting this year?s 17th Conference of the Science Councils of Asia (SCA) to be held on June 14-16 at the PICC in Pasay City.
One of the two advisory bodies of the DOST, the NRCP is a collegial body of trained scientists and researchers who aim is to “cohesively address the growing demands for knowledge, skills, and innovations and sharing expertise with all sectors of society.”
National Scientist Edgardo D. Gomez and Dr. Marietta B. Sumagaysay, NRCP president and executive director, respectively, earlier received the SCA flag from SCA immediate past president and concurrent president Prof. Vijaya Kumar during the 16th SCA conference held last June in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The flag symbolizes the country hosting the SCA.
Members of the Asian Conference on Scientific Cooperation (ACSC) founded the SCA in 2000 as an international scientific organization. Japan hosted the ACSC conferences in 1993 until 2000.
The SCA this year will revolve around the theme “Science for the People: Mobilizing Modern Technologies for Sustainable Development in Asia.” The DOST has been promoting regional ?Science for the People? events to inform the people of the benefits of STI (science, technology, and innovation) to help them economically empowered and self-reliant.
Through creative collaboration, STI “can become the key driver of economic productivity and intellectual advancement in various countries, just as cutting-edge ideas, artistic productions, and technologies can produce transformative changes and meaningful applications in the people’s lives,” the NRCP said.
A battery of renowned keynote speakers and plenary speakers is expected to deliver papers at the SCA conference. Also in the schedule are parallel symposiums and poster presentation on the various areas of science, technology, research, and innovation.
Gomez emphasized the Manila event’s significance, saying it will also serve as the venue for scientific exchange and cooperation among scholars in Asia.
He said the science congress will focus specifically on the “on the efficient and effective application of science, technology, and innovation in reinforcing inclusive growth and development, providing equitable and better opportunities for all economic players on the gains of economic growth and development.”
In its first conference in 2001, the SCA had only 10 member-scientific organizations. This number has grown over the years to 31 members coming from 18 countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Taipei, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The objective of the Asia’s science council is “to provide a collaborative platform for promoting scientific exchange and intellectual cooperation in Asia” to develop and promote a holistic vision that covers the sciences, humanities, social sciences, and cultures and to center on sustainable development and improvement in the quality of life of the region.
In relation to this, the NRCP said participants are welcomed to submit abstracts in 200 to 250 words of their original unpublished papers focused on specific topics covered by any of the six thematic strands.
They are Re-engineering Research (in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Governance and Education) Towards Inclusive Growth; Eco-environmental Studies and Ecological Engineering; Human Health and Technology; One Health: Connecting Human, Animal, and Ecosystems Health; Gender Integration and Mainstreaming Science and Technology (S&T) Innovations; and Risk Reduction in Natural Disaster caused by Climate Change, Earthquake; and Tsunami.
Important dates to remember include March 15 Notification of Acceptance of Papers), April 15 (Last Day of Registration of Presenting Authors), and April 30 (Last Day of Submission of Full Papers). Abstracts submission is through online (http://sca2017manila.ph) under “Call for Papers-Abstract Submission,” or through email ([email protected]).
Registration fees are: NRCP members (P2,000), non-NCRP members (P3,500), local students (P2,000), foreign participants ($350), and foreign students with 50 percent discount ($175).