BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
IN CELEBRATION of its 120th foundation anniversary, the University of San Agustin (USA) in Iloilo City hosted the 2nd Iloilo International Conference on Advanced Natural Products Technologies (I2CANProTech) from March 6 to 8, 2024, at the USA CPMT Convention Hall. This remarkable event was co-hosted by The Center for Chemical Biology and Biotechnology (C2B2) and the Center for Natural Drug Discovery and Development (CND3) of the university, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD).
“As a 120-year-old university, the flagship programs are actually allied programs. Pharmacy is always included in the Top 10 rankings in the country as well as the medical technology. And I am very happy to announce that at the AD Scientific Index Resolve for 2024, which the Philippine’s Commission on Higher Education uses as a benchmark for quality of the research programs in the country, the university is ranked number 7,” said Dr. Jonel P. Saludes, a professor at the University of San Agustin.
With the theme “OMICS Odyssey: Translating Natural Products into Technologies for Better Health Outcomes,” I2CANProTech brought together a diverse array of participants including scientists, researchers, faculty members, industry professionals, government agencies, students, and early-career researchers. The conference featured esteemed speakers from around the globe, representing countries such as the United States of America, Canada, Switzerland, Italy, China, Australia, Japan, India, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. These experts shared their insights and research findings across various disciplines of natural products and functional food, delivering keynote and plenary lectures that delved into cutting-edge advancements and technologies aimed at improving health outcomes.
At a press conference earlier held at the University of San Agustin President’s Conference Room, Rev. Fr. Frederick Commendador, OSA, university president, took pride with the University of San Agustin being one of the top medical universities in Western Visayas.
“We are very happy that at this point of time we are recognized by the government as one of the two centers, the drug discovery centers, and it only shows that we have a strong culture here with the pharmacy program. And we owe it a lot to the former school administrators, deans and students who excelled a lot. With the government recognizing us, it shows that the university is growing, we are developing and we are faithful to the mandate… so we will be responsive on the needs of the community and to maintain our identity as the University of San Agustin,” Rev. Fr. Commendador said.
Also highlighted during the press conference was the importance of bridging academic research with real-world applications. I2CANProTech serves as a platform for research dissemination and public information, aiming to translate the knowledge and discoveries made by the university into tangible products and services for the benefit of society. This aligns with the core values and mission of the University of San Agustin, rooted in the principles of caritas, veritas, and unitas.
“Malaysia and the Philippines share a quite common significant overlap on biodiversity and we have common interests. The two examples that we are really working hard on is the diabetic and obesity as presented by our keynote speaker, and also dengue,” Dr. Nor Hadiani Ismail, AuRIns, a professor at the University Teknologi Mara of Malaysia, said when asked about their partnership with the USA and their proposed projects.
Furthermore, the impact of science communication was underscored, highlighting the university’s commitment to serving the public through innovative solutions such as Telehealth for remote areas, as well as its contributions to public health initiatives such as COVID-19 testing laboratories in Iloilo and Bacolod cities. By fostering a culture of mentorship and appreciation for science, the University of San Agustin continues to uphold its legacy of excellence in research and academic endeavors, driving positive change and progress in the community.
“I look at the University of San Agustin as the rising star here in the central Philippines. It is so nice to have a center for Likas Lunas here outside of Metro Manila and I see more in just several years. They have done a lot. They are also training a lot of young students. My message is that we really have a high diversity of marine organisms here in Visayas and also terrestrial that we should take advantage of because the bio-resources have a lot of hidden treasures,” said Dr. Lourdes Cruz, a national scientist from the Philippines.
For his part, Dr. Jaime C. Montoya of the DOST-PCHRD said, “Just like any other research council abroad, we actually provide support or research grants for projects to be done locally and collaboratively with experts abroad and scientists abroad.”
The I2CANProTech not only provided a platform for academic discourse and collaboration but also reinforced the university’s commitment to advancing knowledge and technology for the betterment of society, embodying the spirit of innovation and excellence in research.
Also present during the press conference were Saludes, Prof. Dr. Mary J. Garson of the University of Queensland; and Prof. Dr. Raymond Andersen of the University of British Columbia./PN
