Photo by: LB Times
UPLB hosts National Biotechnology Week 2024

The 2024 National Biotechnology Week (NBW) formally opened with an energetic program at UPLB’s EB Copeland Gymnasium on Nov. 25, 2024.

UP President Angelo Jimenez welcomed the NBW participants and visitors with a rousing speech elucidating UP’s role in national development, both historically and in the future. 

Commenting on the historical nature of the event, with the Copeland Gymnasium being named after the pioneering dean of the College of Agriculture and UPLB itself being the site for the country’s first biotechnology institute, President Jimenez shared that UP would be focusing on strengthening graduate and postgraduate programs and reaching out more to communities. 

He emphasized what he called ‘translational’ research that would not remain in the laboratories but “go out into the market and start benefiting people.” 

His speech was followed by the opening remarks delivered by Commissioner Shirley Agrupis of the Commission for Higher Education (CHED) on behalf of CHED Chairperson Popoy De Vera. 

Commissioner Agrupis said in her speech that biotechnology is the “most powerful branch of science, transforming the impossible to possibilities.” 

She emphasized the importance and strength of interagency partnerships and collaboration and called on the research and academic institutions to look for ways in which biotechnology could be used to reduce the cost of production of food staples such as rice.

Following Commissioner Agrupis’ speech were messages of support delivered both in-person and via video messages from representatives of the various organizations and government agencies involved in the NBW. 

Among those who gave messages of support in-person were Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa; Director Paul Limson of the Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program, PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development Juanito Batalon; and Undersecretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government Serafin Barretto Jr.

Meanwhile, CHED Commissioner Ronald Adamat; Assistant Director Conrado Marquez of the Environment Research and Development Bureau; and Philippine Board of Investment Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa sent video messages.

The program also had interlude performances from Harmonya: The String Ensemble of UPLB, UPLB Choral Ensemble, and the UPLB Sandayaw Cultural Group, who held an interpretive performance of the NBW Theme Song “Pilipino Yakapin Ang Pagbabago, Magbiotech na Tayo,” and a live performance of the new 2024 NBW theme song “#experienceBIOTECH.”

The program concluded with CHED Commissioner Marita Canapi officially declaring the NBW open.

The NBW is a week-long interagency event held every third week of November to promote and recognize the importance of biotechnology and research. This year’s NBW is hosted by CHED through UPLB with the theme “#experienceBIOTECH: Expand the Future of Biotechnology through Education, Innovation, and Commercialization.” 

It features exhibitor booths, forums, and lectures on biotechnology at the EB Copeland Gymnasium, and a Biotechnology Fiesta self-guided tour of UPLB’s research and development facilities such as the Technology Transfer and Business Development Office, the National Crop Protection Center, National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Organic Agriculture Research, Development, and Extension Center, and the Institute of Plant Breeding.

This year’s NBW runs from November 25 to 29, 2024. (Albert Geoffred B. Peralta)

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