AS the first university established in Iloilo City, the University of San Agustin once again set a milestone as it hosted the 2nd USA-Academia Sinica Bilateral Research Symposium.
Through its Office of Research and Global Relations, USA in partnership with esteemed institution Academia Sinica in Taiwan organized the Iloilo International Conference on Advanced Natural Products Technologies (I2CANProTech). This three-day conference was held from April 28 to 30 at one of Iloilo City’s premier hotels, the Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo.
I2CANProTech is a gathering of notable experts in various fields of studies in sciences and research to promote and discuss about biology, chemistry, as well as pharmacology of terrestrial, marine, and microbial natural products. Furthermore, it also tackles subjects on the development of probes and inhibitors for drug discovery, agricultural biotechnology, intellectual protection of scientific discoveries, as well as, imaging mass spectrometry, and many others.
With I2CANProTech, there is a venue that gives recognition and honor to both local and international researchers and scientists of different fields of study of natural sciences to present their researches and scientific studies.
In this three-day conference, various activities, programs, and plenaries were held. On April 28, Sunday, the delegates and participants from local, national, and international schools and academic institutions were toured around various places and locations here in the city of Iloilo. Later that night, the participants and delegates were formally welcomed and greeted through a part held at the Courtyard by Marriott pool bar.
On the second day, April 29, Monday, the start of the conference was officially marked. The venue lobby was packed with various research posters from participants who joined the research poster contest. Furthermore, there were also displays of various products courtesy of various corporate sponsors of the conference.
To formally open the I2CANProTech Conference, the Coro Liturgico, from USA, led the opened prayer followed by the opening messages delivered by Rev. Fr. Frederick C. Comendador, OSA, University of San Agustin-President, and Dr. Chung Hung Lin, associate director of the Institute of Biological Chemistry and research fellow, Academia Sinica, Taiwan.
The opening ceremony was followed by a partnership contract signing between USA, Merck, and Omnibus Biomedical System. In addition, a signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between USA, RainPhil, and Medical City took place. Dr. Jonel P. Saludes, USA associate vice president for research and global relations, then gave his message.
It was followed by a keynote message given by Dr. Maribel G. Nonato, Vice Rector for research and innovation of the University of Sto. Tomas. After her message, an award was given to Dr. Nonato by Saludes, Rev. Fr. Comendador, and Dr. Lin, Dr. Amelia Guevara, former Department of Science and Technology undersecretary for research and development was also awarded.
After the awarding ceremony, it was followed by the ceremonial ribbon cutting and opening of exhibits. The said event was led by Saludes, Rev. Fr. Comendador, Dr. Lin, Dr. Nonato, and Dr. Guevara. Later that afternoon, notable keynote speakers presented their lecture on different topics./PN
