SU and PSM Visayas hold 31st Annual Convention in Dumaguete
Hon. Felipe Antonio B. Remollo, Dumaguete City mayor, poses with the delegates of the 31st PSM Visayas Regional Convention.
The Philippine Society for Microbiology (PSM), Inc. Visayas Regional Chapter, in collaboration with Silliman University (SU), convened its 31st Annual Regional Convention and Scientific Meeting on October 17-18, 2024, at SU Hall and Guy Hall.
Bringing together around 280 participants, including students and faculty from various universities across the Visayas region, the convention, with the theme, “Sustainability through Microbial Innovations: Exploring Biotechnology and Beyond,” aimed to unite microbiologists and “highlight the role of microbiology in driving sustainable solutions and innovations” and “encourage research and exploration into how microbes can be harnessed to address some of the most pressing environmental and societal challenges.”
Attendees had the opportunity to form connections with fellow aspiring microbiologists from different institutions, promoting collaboration and networking.
Dr. Mae Brigitt Bernadel L. Villordon, interim assistant vice president for Academic Affairs (AVPAA) and concurrent College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) dean delivers her inspirational message on Environmental Conservation at the opening ceremony of the convention.
The event also comprised a pre-convention activity, the Microbiology Olympiad, PSM’s first quiz bowl competition on microbiology among undergraduate students officially enrolled in tertiary schools across the Visayas Region for the Academic Year 2024-2025. SU’s Biology Department and Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (ICLS) students bagged second and third prize, respectively, while the University of the Philippines – Visayas clinched first place.
The two-day convention featured several educational components, including morning lecture sessions and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Balik Scientist Talks. Participants also showcased their research through an oral and poster competition. The gathering concluded with the election of the new set of PSM regional officers for the fiscal year 2024-2025.
Yushabel M. Romagos from the SU Biology Department was elected as the Public Relations Officer for the PSM Visayas Chapter. Together with the newly elected executive officers, she will prepare for the upcoming PSM National Conference scheduled for July 2025 at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
PSM Regional Executive Officers F.Y. 2023-2024 pose with delegates from SU.
Established in 1971, the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc. (PSM) is an organization that aims to promote scientific knowledge in the field of Microbiology and other related fields. The organization conducts various activities such as workshops, publications, hosts a bi-annual symposia and an annual conference. The organization also gives subsidies to those individuals that meet the requirements set by the organization depending on which grant they are applying for.
