Text by Gabrielle Louise Serrano and Martin R. Racza

Photo by Erlyn May U. Pareja

The National Graduate Office for the Health Sciences (NGOHS) hosted the 7th University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) Graduate Students’ Colloquium (GSC) on September 19 and 20, 2024 at the Admiral Hotel Manila. This annual event, as aptly put by NGOHS Director Carl Abelardo T. Antonio in his opening remarks, is “an opportunity for graduate students to showcase their work, wherein they go through the crucible of testing their knowledge, outside the safety of their classroom, faced by scientists and researchers.” 

Gracing the opening ceremony were Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Johanna Patricia A. Cañal and Vice Chancellor for Research Leslie Michelle M. Dalmacio as guests of honor. 

In opening the program, Director Antonio reminisced his past experiences as a member of the organizing committee of the first two colloquia in 2017 and 2018. Now, in his current capacity as NGOHS Director, he observed that despite how the GSC has evolved over the years, its essence remains unchanged. 

One of the most anticipated segments of the GSC is the plenary lecture on research integrity titled “Why and How Should Academic Institutions Uphold Research Integrity” delivered by Dr. Jean Anne B. Toral, Head of the Office of Research Integrity (ORI). In her lecture, Dr. Toral emphasized that the answer to the question “Why are we upholding integrity?” is “because it is the only way researchers can receive public trust and confidence in their studies.” The ‘how’ was answered by presenting studies on the best practices of conducting good research practice. Towards the end of her message, Dr. Toral highlighted the important role of academic and research institutions such as UPM, and provided updates on the Office of Research Integrity and their projects.

After the Opening Ceremony, three parallel breakout sessions were opened for the attendees. A total of 52 UP Manila graduate students showcased their research studies to a panel of experts who were invited to provide invaluable insights to help the student-presenters improve their research studies. The presentations were grouped according to their topics. 

On the first day of the colloquium, the presentations were distributed into the following sessions: Molecular Medicine, Hospital and Health Administration, Nursing, and Health Policy. For the second day, the presentations were distributed into the following sessions: Biochemistry and Microbiology, Health Informatics, Health Professions Education, and Dentistry. A Best Presenter per session was chosen and recognized during the Closing Ceremony.  

In closing the colloquium after the second day’s parallel sessions, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Bernadette Heizel M. Reyes expressed her amazement at how the UP community contributes to idea sharing. She thanked the students for having the courage to ask complex questions and find answers, and the faculty for nurturing and guiding the students. Dr. Reyes ended her closing remarks with an aspiration that the answers found by the UP community be able to contribute better service for fellow Filipinos. 

The two-day colloquium was attended by 294 guests which included deans, head of units, faculty members, students, and the general public. This event was made accessible to all through the use of the Zoom online conferencing platform. #