THE University of San Agustin (USA) has goneglobal whenit became a partner institution during the 2018 Bilateral Research Symposiumlast April 11 to 13in Taipei, Taiwan hosted byAcademia Sinica, one of the world’s most prestigious research institutes operating under the Office of the President of the Republic of China.As the first university in Western Visayas, USA showcased the Ilonggo research excellence during the three-day symposium.
Scientistsfrom the different units of Academia Sinica, such as the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program of the Taiwan International Graduate Program, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, and Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, attended this international meeting. Team USA, meanwhile, headed by its President Rev. Fr. Frederick C. Comendador, O. S. A. and Associate Vice President for Research Dr. Jonel P. Saludes, was represented by researchers from Medical Technology, Pharmacy, Biology, Chemistry, and Gregor Mendel Research Laboratories. USA research collaborators from West Visayas State University College of Medicine, Herbanext Laboratories Inc., and the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center also participated in the symposium.
The bilateral conference enabled Team USA to showcase the research discoveries that are scientifically- and socially-relevant, such as their findings on the value of Ilonggo honey and other natural resources in Panay as potential sources of antibiotics. Meanwhile, Academia Sinica scientists shared information on their advanced techniques in searching for new medicines and their state-of-the-art instrumentation. Concurrent to the symposium,a planning and brainstorming meeting between Team USA representatives and Dr. YijuangChern, Director of International Affairs and Dr. Hans Lin, Director of Academic Affairs and Instrument Service of Academia Sinica, was also held to strengthen the ties between the two institutions and intensify productive collaborations.
In April 2019, USA will serve as host to the 2ndBilateral Research Symposium and will welcome the Academia Sinica scientists to Iloilo. This bilateral research partnership is envisioned to lead to productivity that has long-term positive impact in the quality of education that USA offers, which shall produce Augustinian graduates that are top-notch, world-class, and highly employable./PN
