Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos by Sarah Hazel Moces S. Pulumbarit
UP Manila opened its 21st Science and Technology Week (S&T Week) with a strong call to advance research, innovation, and future-oriented planning in the health sciences. Organized by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, this year’s S&T Week will run from Nov. 24–28, 2025, gathering faculty, researchers, and students from across the university.
Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Dr. Leslie Michelle Dalmacio emphasized UP Manila’s “unwavering commitment to science advancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge that addresses national and global challenges.”
This year’s theme, Agham, Teknolohiya at Inobasyon: Sandigan at Katuwang sa Pangkalahatang Kalusugan, highlights the vital role of science and technology in achieving universal health. “Our research work, which spans improving public health, strengthening medical education, and enhancing community service, is ultimately directed at uplifting communities and strengthening the nation,” Dr. Dalmacio added.
To help streamline research processes and improve access to information, she introduced the R-PAD (Research Policy Access Dashboard), a platform consolidating the university’s research agenda, institutional policies, faculty credits, and funding opportunities.
Research As A Cornerstone of Nation-Building
UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Michael Tee commended the organizing committee and shared that the research integrity being taught to all UP Manila faculty and staff, with almost 100 registrants already, will now be recognized nationwide through the university’s Openlearning.com initiative. He added that the Commission on Higher Education, through its Higher Education Upskilling and Study for Advancement of Staff and Faculty (HUSAY) Program, approved this as part of an ₱83-million grant presented last Tuesday to the Commission en banc. The grant also supports around twelve programs that UP Manila is launching, including simulation-based education for medicine and for nursing. “This shows how research, as a cornerstone for nation-building, is becoming recognized,” he said.
“With the influence of the University of the Philippines Manila, we can ensure that the research conducted across the country will have the same integrity, ethical background, ethical basis, and academic rigor needed to serve as a solid foundation for decision-making.”
Strengthening Collaboration Across the University
Dr. Janus Ong, Chair of the 21st S&T Week Committee, described the celebration as an opportunity to highlight groundbreaking research, showcase innovations, strengthen collaborations, and reaffirm the role of science and technology in advancing public health and universal healthcare. She also emphasized the importance of interpersonal connections in research.
“No one holds all the answers,” Dr. Ong said. “We encourage everyone to break down silos, ask new questions, and discover what we can accomplish together.”
UP Manila 2058: A Future’s Roadmap for Health Systems and Education
A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the launch of UP Manila 2058: A Future’s Roadmap for Resilient Health Systems and Education, presented by Dr. Emerito Jose Faraon, director of the Research, Management, and Translation Office.
Dr. Faraon referred to the roadmap as a forward-looking response to past crises, “declaring that UP Manila isn’t just surviving the crisis — we are actually designing tomorrow.”
He explained that the roadmap is aligned with the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) 2023–2028 and Pagtanaw 2050, integrating national foresight strategies into university planning.
The roadmap focuses on three key areas:
“The discussion paper is a promise to build resilience and shape a healthier Philippines,” Dr. Faraon said.
A Call for Integrity and Service
Prof. Josephine Agapito, director of the National Service Training Program, reminded the community of the ethical and civic duty that accompanies scientific progress.
“Science, technology—including innovation—are driving forces for progress and a higher quality of life,” she said. Despite challenges such as corruption, she urged the community to remain steadfast: “It is only in our collective efforts to serve with honesty and integrity that we can really contribute in making this country healthy and free from corruption.”
#FP1 #FP6 #DiscoveryandResearch
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