20100127

Dialogue with Prof. Wiesel

Posted by itsmekikay at 4:36 PM 0 comments
Yesterday, I got a message from the Dean's office requesting me and my colleagues Tons and Felix to attend a dialogue with 1981 Nobel Laureate in Medicine awardee, Prof. Wiesel. Without any hint of what was going to happen, I said 'yes' because my schedule was relatively free. I was told that we're going to represent the graduate student body of the S&T community.



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. :-)

20100123

Catchin Up with Good Ol' Friends

Posted by itsmekikay at 6:22 PM 0 comments

There's just so many things I am thankful to God for. When I mull over life I realize how blessed I am having such great friends... I cannot thank the Lord enough. Yesterday, I met with my college friends whom I met at Kalayaan when we were all in first year. It was almost perfect had Chezka been there. But still, it's near perfect! It's so great to see how we've all grown to fine, smart, classy, and independent women whose vocabulary does not have "compromise" for a word. The conversations were great. Ultimately, I am so happy for Lorie. She's shared to us the peace and serenity she just recently found in Christ. And I really thought it'd be weird having the "spiritual" (instead of men) conversation with my girls. Her testimony was very uplifting. :-)

Speaking of friends, my typical lazy afternoon is spent with B and my roommates walking around the oval or just having some coffee in one of the cafes on campus. :)



Thinking about how my life had turned out... the friends I met along the way who never forget... makes me feel proud and blessed a gazillion times over. The joy is just overwhelming! xo

20100115

Fun with the Gang

Posted by itsmekikay at 12:01 AM 0 comments
We've been going out a LOT lately. Dati rati kontento na kaming tumatambay lang ng dorm -- kwentuhan, inuman, panonood ng kung anu anong movie at t.v. series. Kamakailan, labas na kami nang labas. Nung isang gabi, nang-aya si B na pumunta kaming Punchline -- isang comedy bar. :-) Panibagong karanasan para sa aming lahat maliban keh B. Weh???

Graveh! Matindi! Lumabas ang aking pagka-promdi. Medyo na culture shock ako nung umpisa... well, hanggang sa huli!

Ibang klase. Ibang level. I only had one thing on my mind at the end of the show -- "Nakakatuwa ang mga jokla -- ambabastos pero ang wiwitty!"



Kahapon, ibang trip naman. S and Johnson fetched me at the old NIP to go for a walk to the dorm. It was so refreshing. Everything was perfect... the weather, the company, the ambience, and the food. We decided to hangout at the Museum Cafe where B joined us for a little chit-chat. It made me realize how priceless it is for me to be here in the University, to be hanging out with these young bright minds, to be in control of my time.



In the evening, we went to grab dinner at the T-hub and played some arcade at Timezone. Crazy! Bumili pa ako ng Doraemon at Minnie Mouse na balloons :-) Naglaro at nanalo sa deal or no deal. Nakabili ng bubble-generator (iyong bino-blow) na kulay green. Para akong batang nakakulong sa katawan ng isang dalagita. Masaya! And just when I thought that the day couldn't get any better, S suggested that we take a stroll around the campus later in the evening... the six of us. And we did. :-)

20100109

Happy New Year from CGY!

Posted by itsmekikay at 9:27 AM 0 comments






HAPPY NEW YEAR, Y'ALL! From all of us. xoxo
 

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