When Tons, Felix, and I got to the BOR where the dialogue was held, we were quite surprised to find out that the event was really just a very, very small convention of a select few (~18), including the three of us plus the different academic and administrative officials. What's even more overwhelming was that WE were indeed tasked to "represent" the ENTIRE graduate student body. I know that we were already told but I didn't really think that it was just going to be us three! So, they had a special area for us right beside the conference table where the officials plus Dr. Wiesel and his wife were seated. And as if that wasn't enough to make us feel edgy, they placed two desk-microphones on our table. ("Oh, so, they're expecting us to... talk..." *gulp*) Finally, they flashed the program on the projector screen... and there it was... the specific schedule for when the honorable Professor talks with the graduate students. I couldn't help but smile and giggle in surprise. First, we didn't know (and still don't) his work that won him the award. And second, we're Physics majors and not into medicine, which is his field of specialization. These were the two reasons that kept us uneasy until the dialogue actually began. Turned out, he wasn't going to discuss anything scientific. **Whew**
The dialogue was more about the state of S&T and Engineering in UP and in the Philippines, as a whole. Mostly, we discussed about the different challenges facing administrators, faculty and staff, researchers, and students of science and technology and engineering. It was sort of like a SONA for S&T and Engineering. Prof. Wiesel was great. He was very attentive to our problems, which I believe are mostly cultural. He offered suggestions on how we should go about our stuff (from teaching to doing actual research work to making policies to improve the fields, etc). It was so encouraging to see how receptive the UP administrators were and how much they're eager to institute change and improve the plight of S&T and Engineering, not just in UP but also in the entire country.
Ultimately, it all boils down to the fact that we don't have a scientific culture... We'll always be faced with the problem of funding from government agencies, especially when we talk about basic research. One of the realizations I arrived at during the dialogue was that we are really molded and "funded" in the service of the nation, and not just for our passion for science or doing science for the sake of science. Our research topics have to have societal impacts in order to get the attention of different funding agencies, including those from the government.
Before the dialogue ended, the three of us were asked to voice out our opinions and/or comments to Prof. Wiesley.
Well, the dialogue was an eye-opener. I felt so privileged to have been invited in such a "historical" even, as Felix put it. Harsh realities were presented. They are there and will probably be there for a much, much longer time. But... It was such a relief to know that our administrators are doing something about them and that they are really concerned about us -- science students, researchers, and faculty alike. It is very encouraging to know that there are people, good-hearted and smart people who are there to meet the challenges for us (future generations of Filipino scientists) head on, undaunted.
Ah! I really, really wish our s&t all the best. :-)
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