Institute of Chemistry, UPLB

    The Institute of Chemistry (IC) has a new director in the person of Dr. Hidelisa Padua Hernandez effective August 28, 2012 – the eighth director of the institute and the fifteenth to lead the unit since its establishment as a department in 1910. She succeeded Dr. Milagros M. Peralta whose term as director officially ended July 30, 2012. A simple turnover ceremony of was held at IC last September 14, 2012.

     The Institute of Chemistry conducted a College Chemistry Teachers Camp last August 22-24, 2012 at the Physical Sciences Building as a continuation of the Summer Camp for College Chemistry Teachers held last year.  This activity is in line with the extension program mandated to the institute by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as a National Center of Excellence in Chemistry and Chemical Education.

     On Friday, March 23, 2012, the Institute of Chemistry (IC), Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS) and Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Phys-ics (IMSP) jointly celebrated their 29th anniversaries as National Centers of Excellence. A program entitled ―NCOE Evolution: Rising to the Challenges of the K-12 Revolution‖ was held at the CAS Auditorium.

     The UPLB-IC team came back with a vengeance, bagging the gold as the Champion of PACSiklaban 2012 National College Chemistry Quiz held at the National College of Public Administration and Governance Assembly Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman last February 19. Led by team captain John Michael Cue, they bested 11 participating teams from the country’s prestigious colleges and universities. Together with Abraham Sianoya, Rona Karmela Bravo, Kristalle Cruz, Jessa Marie Makabenta, King Bryan Gabog, and Christian Manahan, the UPLB delegation fought hard to the end, eventually emerging victorious in this war of wits in the field of chemistry.