Young PNRI Nuclear Research Specialists Lecture in IAEA-RCA Regional Training Course
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Two young nuclear research specialists from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) served as lecturers, together with two experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), during the Regional Training Course on Basic Radiation Processing of Polymer Focusing on Radiation Grafting, which was hosted by the DOST-PNRI on April 15-19, 2013.
The purpose of the Regional Training Course was to provide theoretical and practical training on the basic aspects of radiation processing of polymers focusing on radiation grafting. Dr. Lucille Abad, Head of PNRI’s Chemistry Research Section, was the Training Course Director.
The training course, organized by the IAEA-Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (IAEA-RCA) was participated in by 25 young scientists (19 foreign and six local participants) from 12 RCA Member States.
The PNRI research specialists, namely Jordan Madrid and Llorina Rañada of the Institute’s Chemistry Research Section, Atomic Research Division, discussed the topics on Functionalization of Grafted Polymers and Its Applications, and Molecular Imprinting, respectively. The IAEA experts were Professor Olgun Guven of Department of Chemistry, Hacettepe University in Turkey and Dr. Yatendra Kumar Bhardwaj of Bhabha Atomic Research Center in India.
The countries represented by the participants are Member States of RCA which are participating in the project on “Supporting Radiation Processing for the Development of Advanced Grafted Materials for Industrial Applications and Environmental Preservation.”
IAEA Technical Officer Dr. Agnes Safrany congratulated Dr. Abad for a very successful implementation of the course.
Schools from Visayas and Mindanao Win Top Awards in Philippine Nuclear Science Quiz
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A science high school in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, - Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial High School in Region 7 – triumphed as the champion among 195 schools from 11 regions of the country that participated in the Philippine Nuclear Science Quiz (PNSQ).
The PNSQ, conducted by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) in collaboration with the DOST Regional Offices, was one of the highlights of the Atomic Energy Week ruby anniversary in December 2012.
Another school from the Visayas, the Philippine Science High School Western Visayas campus in Region 6 placed second while the Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus in Region 11 won the third place.
Caloocan City Science High School was the first place winner in the Pop Quiz, which was conducted to maximize the participation of schools within Metro Manila and to complement the PNSQ aim of enhancing awareness and understanding of the Filipino youth on nuclear science and technology and its beneficial applications. Parañaque Science High School and Muntinlupa Science High School were the second and third place winners in the Pop Quiz, respectively.
The PNSQ quarter final, semi-final and final rounds and the Pop Quiz were held at Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
The champion team from Dumaguete, composed of Alec Benjamin G. Ramirez and Hannah Jael M. Cadusale received a cash prize of 30,000 while the second and third place winners received 20,000 and 10,000 respectively. Former Congressman Mark Cojuangco, AEW closing ceremonies keynote speaker, and PNRI officials Dr. Christina Petrache, Officer-in-Charge and Victoria Fe Medina, Technology Diffusion Division chief and 2012 AEW Executive Chairperson awarded the winners at the AEW closing ceremonies.
In his keynote address, Cojuangco cited the benefits of nuclear power as an energy source that is “non-polluting, non greenhouse gas generating, the cheapest energy source and statistically and proven by history as the safest energy source ever developed by humankind.” He stressed that the youth should be aware of these benefits and be the future champions of nuclear power “so that the society will lose its irrational fear of nuclear power.”
He also expressed his hope that Philippine society will one day be able to make the right choices regarding nuclear power “because of knowledge and awareness of the truth and realities, rather than the unfounded fears, of nuclear technology“.
Congressman Julio A. Ledesma IV, in his handwritten inspirational message read by PNRI Officer-in-Charge Christina A. Petrache, encouraged the students who participated in the Philippine Nuclear Science Quiz to send to him a statement, through his Twitter account, regarding his question of “Is the Philippines ready to operate a nuclear power plant facility?” Congressman Ledesma chairs the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives. (Click here for the list of PNSQ winners and finalists)
Nuclear Technology Applications to be Featured in 40th Atomic Energy Week Celebration
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Nuclear science and technology applications in food and agriculture, health and medicine, industry, energy and the environment will be featured in activities during the 40th Atomic Energy Week (AEW) celebration on December 10 to 14, 2012 to be spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI).
DOST-PNRI Director Dr. Alumanda M. dela Rosa said that this year’s AEW celebration will focus on the theme “Nuclear Science, Technology and Innovation: Engine for Growth and Development”.
The AEW annual celebration, as mandated under Proclamation No. 1211 in 1973, aims to generate awareness of the Filipino people on the beneficial uses of nuclear technology.
The activities slated for the 40th AEW celebration include technical sessions on December 11 and 12; Philippine Nuclear Science Quiz (PNSQ) for high school students on December 13 at SM Mall of Asia; free guided tours to some PNRI research laboratories and service facilities; technical demonstration on radiation shielding materials; viewing of exhibits and film showing on December 11 to 14 at the DOST-PNRI in Diliman, Quezon City.
DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo is the keynote speaker during the AEW opening ceremonies on December 10. Former Representative of 5th District of Pangasinan Mark Cojuangco will give the keynote speech at the closing ceremonies on December 14 while Representative Julio Ledesma IV, Chairperson of Committee on Science and Technology, House of Representatives, will give the inspirational message.
The topics for the technical sessions include, among others, Energy Situation in the Philippines; Nuclear Energy; The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Verification Regime; Technetium-99m Production: Issues and Options; Application of Radioactive and Stable Isotopes in Environmental Forensic Investigation; and Food Traceability and Food Safety through the Use of Nuclear Analytical Techniques. These will be discussed by experts from the Department of Energy, National Power Corporation, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization, International Atomic Energy Agency, and the DOST-PNRI, respectively.
The Philippine Nuclear Science Quiz, hosted by DOST-PNRI in cooperation with DOST Regional Offices and Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center (NFSDC), will be held at NFSDC in SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. High school students from 11 regions in the country will participate in the semi-final and final rounds of the nuclear quiz. The winning teams in the quiz will receive the following cash prizes: first place – P30, 000; second place- P20, 000; and third place – P10, 000.
The Technetium-99m generator production facility, which was set up by PNRI for local preparation and production of Technetium-99m, will be inaugurated on December 10. Tecnetium-99m is the most commonly-used radioisotope in nuclear medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
For more information about the activities for the 40th Atomic Energy Week celebration and for tour reservation, please contact the 2012 AEW Secretariat at 920 8787 and 929 6010 to 19 local 286. (Programme of Activities)
