By Rusieljs G. Lunasco

PSM Visayas Chapter Officers during their Annual Meeting last October 2019.

The Philippine Society for Microbiology (PSM) Visayas Chapter held a webinar on Microbiology and Biotechnology on Scientific opportunities to address global challenges on December 11, 2020.

The three-hour webinar was hosted by Central Philippine University in cooperation with CPU College of Arts and Sciences headed by its Dean, PSM Visayas Vice President Dr. Stella G. Fernandez and the CPU Life Sciences Department headed by its chairperson, PSM Visayas Press Relations Officer Dr. Nicolas Guanzon Jr.

More than 288 attendees who came from different academic institutions and private agencies participated in the webinar.

PSM Visayas President Dr. Rolando Pakingking gave the opening remarks. The participants were welcomed by CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles.

The webinar tackled diverse topics in empowering professionals and students about formidable challenges and how they can think of innovation and possible solutions for the present demands of society.

The first speaker, University of the Philippine (UP) Visayas Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Phillip Ian Padilla talked about the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Visayas region. PSM National Chapter President and UP Manila CAS faculty Dr. Joel Cornista addressed the recent global challenges brought by the coronavirus through Microbiology and Biotechnology. And the last speaker, Aquatic Animal Health Program Network of Aquaculture Centers- Asia Pacific Coordinator Dr. Eduardo Leano gave a lecture about Aquatic Animal Trade and the spread of transboundary diseases.

Dr. Christopher Marlowe Caipang, PSM Division Representative facilitated the question and answer portion that allowed the participants to clarify the issues concerned about the topics discussed. The event also administered the oath-taking of new members by PSM National President Dr. Cornista.

“I was able to learn a lot and gain new knowledge on the topics that were discussed by the lecturers in the webinar,” said Prince Edward Nismal, a third-year BS Bio- Microbiology student who participated in the webinar.

Central Philippine University is a member of the Microbiology Consortium of the Philippine Society for Microbiology. The university through its Life Sciences Department- College of Arts and Sciences offers the program BS Biology with specialization in Microbiology.