Filipino scientist to lead science diplomats from INTERPOL, NASA, and international orgs

Wazzup Pilipinas!?





A stellar roster of global leaders in science diplomacy—including executives from NASA and INTERPOL— are set to convene this September under the leadership of a Filipino scientist. Internationally acclaimed Filipino Science Diplomat Glenn Banaguas was designated as Chairman of the 6th Asian Science Diplomats Assembly (SDA) to be held from September 18 to 22 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Manila. He will be helming an esteemed board that includes members from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and various esteemed international government agencies and institutions.

With over 100 science diplomats in the Asian region alone, the annual SDA plays a pivotal role in furthering the integration of science and diplomacy across the region’s diverse countries and cultures as well as its strategic capacities, policy goals, and the development of elucidations for societal challenges – food security, sustainable energy, water sufficiency, human security, health security, biodiversity, marine, cybersecurity, infrastructure, transportation, waste, climate change, disaster risks, conflicts, violent extremisms, and terrorism.

The specific objectives of the SDA include raising awareness of science diplomacy among the science and diplomatic communities, identifying gaps and challenges in the science diplomacy sphere, and providing strategic solutions for global influence at the intersection of science, technology, innovation, peace, security, and diplomacy, and capacitating science diplomats in the use of tools and participatory mechanisms to shape policy.

“It is significant to effectively communicate our scientific work to all types of stakeholders. We do not want our science to be siloed,” Banaguas said.

“No matter how technical our work is, we want to make sure that our science will truly create positive impacts and changes in society. It is our commitment to use science for service,” Banaguas added.

Sci. Dpl. Banaguas is no stranger to the international scene. A Distinguished Fellow of the UK-based Royal Society for the Arts, he is one of Asia’s leading experts in environment, climate change, and disaster risk. He is the Chairman of the ASEAN Science Diplomats and the US-ASEAN Fellows for Science and Technology, and the Climate Diplomat of the EU-Asia Expert Panel for Climate Diplomacy and Environmental Security. He was also Lee Kuan Yew Senior Fellow in Public Service and an Executive Fellow of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Switzerland. He is also a United Nations Sasakawa for Disaster Risk Reduction and The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Laureate for Environment Conservation and Science Diplomacy, as well as an Asia Leaders Awardee for Sustainability Leadership.

Below is the full list of the Members of the Board of the 6th ASEAN Science Diplomats Assembly:



SCI. DPL. GLENN BANAGUAS

Chairman

Asian Science Diplomats



HON. DAVID FOO

Deputy CEO

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore



HON. JULIAN ROTTER

Principal Administrator

The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL)



DR. ROBERT SWAP

Associate Director

Goddard Space Flight Center

National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA)



HON. SUSAN KIRAN

Cabinet Secretary

Government of Fiji



HON. TASHI PEM

Director General

Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Bhutan



HON. DR. LAW YUET WING

Assistant Commissioner/Regional Commander

Hong Kong Police Force



HON. DR. BAYAN KONIRBAYEV

Chief Digital Officer

Almaty City

Government of Kazakhstan



DR. RIA PERSAD

CEO and Founder

Statweather



DR. SITA SUMRIT

Director

DAI Global, LLC



DR. SANJAY POORAN

Governor, University College London Hospital

Visiting Professor, Ross University School of Medicine

Photo Caption:

The Board

1^st row (L-R): Sanjay Pooran, Sita Sumrit, Ria Persad, Bayan Konirbayeb

2^nd row (L-R): Julian Rotter, Glenn Banaguas, David Foo

3^rd row (L-R): Robert Swap, Susan Kiran, Tashi Pem, Law Yuet Wing

The Grand AdClash: Culminating Excellence, Fostering Industry-Ready Candidates

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Over three decades, the Grand AdClash has reinvented itself and consistently evolved to serve a greater purpose. From being a humble classroom activity initiated in 1991 to one of the biggest legacies of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Department of Advertising and Public Relations (PUP-DAPR) today, the annual commencement of such a prestigious case competition marks the beginning of the students’ career journey to becoming competent candidates and valuable assets in the industry. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic in the previous years, the Grand AdClash has persevered, seamlessly getting bigger and bolder with each passing year.

The essence of Grand AdClash extends beyond determining who among the competing teams is the brightest. The Grand AdClash drives the students to unleash their full creative and strategic potentials, bolstering the department’s vision to produce outstanding graduates like Jonathan Manalo, a multi award-winning songwriter, composer, arranger, and record producer; Sofia Tawasil, a multi-award-winning copywriter; and Marcelo Santos, a well-known author and brand ambassador—to name a few of PUP-DAPR’s products.

Moreover, the esteemed event serves as the turning point for the aspiring professionals to prove they are industry-ready, by putting their brilliance and capabilities to the test. The implementation of Grand AdClash also allows the graduating students to gain exposure; and make valuable impressions and connections to help them kick start their careers.

On July 19, 2023, SM City Manila will be the vibrant host of the 31st edition of the Grand AdClash, as it welcomes the much-anticipated clash of brilliance on-site. This marks yet another year of celebrating the excellence of senior year students from PUP's Bachelor in Advertising and Public Relations (BAPR), while highlighting the transformative power of technology in revolutionizing modern lifestyles, the central theme of this edition.

The success of the Grand AdClash rests upon the unwavering commitment of participants, the enthusiastic efforts of organizers, and the steadfast support of sponsors and partners. The event continues to pave the way for a new generation of PUP-DAPR pride, as the 31st Grand AdClash stands ready to ignite the passion and expertise of future ADPR practitioners.

Stay connected with the 31st Grand AdClash through its social media accounts.



#ADaptBeyondLimits #31stGrandAdClash

VP Sara underscores critical role of monitoring and evaluation to refine education reforms

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte underscored the critical role of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) in the 1st DepEd National Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Conference conducted from June 20 to 22.

The conference aims to: (a) set the direction of DepEd’s M&E system; (b) provide updates on the global and national M&E practices; (c) discuss the principles and standards of M&E; (d) discuss the M&E strategies and mechanisms of DepEd in doing M&E, and; (e) promote cooperation among DepEd program managers and staff to support M&E initiatives across governance levels.

“It empowers us to create and refine education reforms based on data and evidence, guiding us toward better-informed decisions for the benefit of our learners,” Vice President and Secretary Duterte said in her message.

“M&E is more than a procedural exercise—it breathes life into our organization, fostering transparency and accountability and a culture of continuous learning and improvement,” Her Excellency explained.

VP-Sec. Duterte noted that the timely theme of “M&E for Improved Basic Education Governance” underscores the necessary efforts to strengthen the education system in these challenging times.

“The M&E Conference resonates profoundly with our MATATAG Agenda, symbolizing our unwavering promise to deliver accessible, quality, and equitable education for our learners,” VP-Sec. Duterte noted.

During the three-day conference, participants from DepEd, Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), and select DepEd partners gathered to gain insights and learnings on M&E concepts, approaches, and strategies discussed in the forum and breakout conference sessions.

Among the vital topics discussed in the forum were the Anchoring M&E to the MATATAG Agenda and Basic Education Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (BEMEF) Policy; Measuring Learning Proficiency amid the Learning Crisis; National Evaluation Policy Framework (NEPF) and National Practices on M&E; the Importance of Evaluations in the Education Sector; and the Utilization of Evaluation Findings in Policy Formulation.

Meanwhile, DepEd’s development and government partners conducted breakout sessions to discuss important concepts in developing the M&E framework, establishing the purpose and scope of M&E, gathering the right information, analyzing data, and communicating findings.

Furthermore, the forum also tackled M&E mechanisms in DepEd which includes discussion of the existing data management and information systems such as the Learner Information System, Basic Education Information System, National School Building Inventory and the Program Management Information System as tools for M&E.

Spearheaded by the Planning Service – Policy Research and Development Division (PS-PRDD), the 1st DepEd National M&E Conference 2023 served as a platform for dialogue on how community of practice could fully support the BEMEF and contribute to the realization of MATATAG Agenda and BEDP 2030.