Nominations for the 2015 APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (ASPIRE) Prize through APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) is now open. The APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (“ASPIRE”) is an annual award which recognizes young scientists who have demonstrated a commitment to both excellence in scientific research, as evidenced by scholarly publication and cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies.

Each year the APEC host economy is asked to provide a theme to guide nominations for the ASPIRE Prize to be awarded in their host year. As its host year for 2015, the Philippines selected"Disaster Risk Reduction: Understanding the Role of Climate Change and Variability”as the ASPIRE nominating theme.This theme focuses on innovative technologies that may help economies adapt to the changing climate, protect the natural environment, and build resilient and sustainable societies. Nominations are therefore sought from young scientists under the age of 40 in subjects such as: sustainable development, environmental studies, ecology, disaster management, urban planning, and engineering, among others.

The winner will be announced during the 2015 ASPIRE Ceremony which is scheduled in August during the 6^th PPSTI Meeting in Cebu, Philippines.

For more information, please visit the 2015 ASPIRE Prize Websites at http://www.apec.org/aspire or http://www.apec.org/Press/News-Releases/2015/0202_ASPIRE.aspx

For questions and inquiries, you may contact Mr. Alex Rogers of the APEC PPSTI on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Ms. Tracy Huang, ASPIRE Prize sponsor’s representative on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The fifth batch of MD-PhD in Molecular Medicine Program scholars signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), at the Alvior Hall of the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) last September 5, 2014.

The MD-PhD in Molecular Medicine Scholarship Program is a joint initiative of UPM and the DOST that aims to train aspiring physician-scientists for careers in basic and applied biomedical research towards the advancement of health from individual to global levels. It is the first and pioneering degree program in the Philippines that combines the MD and PhD courses in one.

Known for its very steep admission requirements, only applicants who have finished their undergraduate degrees with honors (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude) and have achieved National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) rating of 95 and higher are conferred with the scholarship.

This year, nine new scholars qualified into the program, two of whom garnered an NMAT rating of 100.

The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST) is hosting the 14th Forum for Ethical Review Committees in the Asian and Western Pacific Region (FERCAP) Annual International Conference and the 1st Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) National Conference on 24-25 November 2014 at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City.

With the theme, “Embedding Ethics in National Health Research Systems,” the conference will highlight initiatives towards institutionalization of ethics within national systems and harmonization of good practices across the Asia Pacific region.

Topics to be featured include;

Models of Health Research Systems

• Conflict of Interest in Health Research
• Empowerment of Research Participants
• Effective Governance in Health Research
• Indicators of Ethical Health Research Systems
• Challenge and Issues in Health Research Systems
• Roles of Community Representatives in Research Ethics

Registration for the conference is Php5,000.00. For inquiries, please visit http://fercapphrebconference.healthresearch.ph/ or contact Mr. Jek Alcaraz at (02)837-7537 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Philippine Association of Medical Journal Editors (PAMJE), in cooperation with the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST), calling all designers, graphic artists, students, and professionals to a logo design contest.

PAMJE, a non-governmental organization that strives to raise the quality of medical and health-related journal publishing in the Philippines, is in need of a visual identity, a logo design that would represent and embody the organization.

Organization’s objectives are as follows:

1.      encourage collaboration and facilitate communication among medical and health journal editors in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific Region;

2.      improve editorial standards and promote professionalism in medical editing through education, self-assessment, and self-governance;

3.      facilitate scholarly research writing and peer-review processes through training workshops, seminars and other activities; and

4.      foster the continuing education of medical and health journal editors, reviewers, editorial staff, publishers and librarians in the country.

Logo Contest Guidelines:

1. The contest is open to all interested parties except to employees of DOST-PCHRD and PAMJE members.
2. The logo design must correspond to the PAMJE’s Mission and Objectives.
3. Designs must be in JPEG and PSD format with 300 dpi or higher.
4. Criteria for judging the logo design includes:
1. Uniqueness and Content. A new design that will speak about the organization’s mission.
2. Scalability – readability and impact from small and large logo reproduction
3. Adaptability for all media use.
4. Overall Design. Quality of logo and overall impact.
5. The organizer has exclusive ownership, copyright, and control over the use of the original winning design in all forms and formats. The organizers may reproduce in any format; all or any portion of the design, and distribute any reproductions of the logo design.
6. Contest winner will receive a cash prize of P10, 000.
7. The winning artist will be notified by phone call and email.
8. Deadline for submission of entries is until March 28, 2014.
9. Entries must be submitted via mail c/o Meychell S. Angoy, PCHRD-DOST, 3F DOST Main Bldg., Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City or sent through email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..