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BNSCWC director leads poetry workshop in India

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10 NOVEMBER 2008. VOLUME 40. NUMBER 12. 12 PAGES

DLSU to hoSt firSt ASEAN coNfErENcE oN mANUfActUriNg ENgiNEEriNg

Art in Action: Bringing ideas to reality

La Salle hosts United Board fellows

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v 2401 (twen´te fôr´,o, wun) is a landmark number along Taft Avenue. It is the location ID of De La Salle University, home to outstanding faculty and students, and birthplace of luminaries in business, public service, education, the arts, and science. And 2401 is the name of the official newsletter of DLSU, featuring developments and stories of interest about the University.

SEA ErgoNomicS SociEty ELEctS DLSU fAcULty AS prESiDENtDr. Rosemary Seva, associate professor of the Industrial Engineering Department, was elected president of the Southeast Asia Network of Ergonomics Societies (SEANES) during the 9th Southeast Asian Ergonomics Society Conference last October 22-24 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Composed of ergonomics societies from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines, SEANES aims to promote cooperation and reciprocal support among these countries for scientific and professional development as well as the application of Ergonomics in Southeast Asia. It is affiliated with the International Ergonomics Society (IEA).

Assistant Professor Alma Maria Jennifer Gutierrez, also a faculty member of the Industrial Engineering Department, joined Seva in the conference. They represented the Philippine Ergonomics Society, where Seva is the interim vice president and Gutierrez is the secretary.

They likewise presented their respective research papers. Gutierrez read her paper “Biomechanical evaluation of three lifting techniques” while Seva presented “A framework for enhancing emotion and usability perception in design.”

SciENcE fAcULty mEmbErS DELivEr pApEriN iNtErNAtioNAL coNfErENcEThree faculty members from the College of Science presented their current research undertakings at the Instrument Technology for Applications and Development in NanoBiology and Biosensors Workshop held in Taiwan, Republic of China from October 20 to 31.

The DLSU representatives to the international conference were Physics Department’s Chair Dr. Romeric Pobre, Academic Service Faculty Norberto Alcantara, and Chemistry Department’s Academic Service Faculty Michael Ajero.

Among the workshop participants were university professors, researchers,

chemists, engineers and senior technicians from around 55 countries. The Instrument Technology Research Center (ITRC) of the National Applied Research Laboratories (NARL) sponsors the conference annually to provide a unique opportunity for international cooperation as well as cultural exchange.

ITRC offers research and development, instrumentation engineering, and technical services. It seeks to develop precision instrument systems, offer instrument maintenance services and instrument information, support academic research, and provide training for instrumentation professionals.

DLSU to hoSt firSt ASEAN coNfErENcE oN mANUfActUriNg ENgiNEEriNgDe La Salle University is set to host the first-ever ASEAN University Network regional conference on Manufacturing Engineering with the theme, “Current trends, ideas, and practices in Manufacturing Engineering,” on November 24 and 25 at the Century Park Hotel in Manila.

Sponsored by the ASEAN University Network/Southeast Asia Engineering Education Development Network (AUN/SEED-Net) in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and ASEAN Foundation, the regional conference aims to share recent trends, experiences, and research work among academicians, industry, community, and policy makers as well as discuss the future direction of collaborative researches.

Invited guests in the conference are Commission on Higher Education Chairman Dr. Emmanuel Angeles, Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Graciano Yumul, ASEAN Foundation Executive Director Dr. Filemon Uriarte, Jr., JICA Project for AUN/SEED-Net Chief Advisor Dr. Kazuo Tsutsumi, and Manila Bulletin Vice President for Advertising Melito Salazar Jr., who formerly served as Undersecretary for Investments in the Department of Trade and Industry.

DLSU Manufacturing Engineering and Management Department Chair Dr. Nilo Bugtai, as the general chair of the conference, disclosed that they are expecting more than 30 representatives from 17 foreign universities to participate

in the seminar.The conference will include two

Japanese professors sessions where seven faculty from Tokai University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kyoto University, and Keio University will present their papers and research in manufacturing engineering.

Aside from the Japanese professors sessions, technical parallel sessions on Manufacturing Processes, Product Design and Development, and Manufacturing Systems will be moderated by DLSU Manufacturing Engineering and Management faculty. A total of 25 oral presentations and 10 poster presentations will be given during the conference.

Other major sponsors of the conference are Universiti Malaya, the host university of Manufacturing Engineering in the AUN/SEED-Net project, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and the Mechatronics and Robotics Society of the Philippines.

Bugtain said the regional conference is an improvement of past Fieldwise Seminars in Manufacturing Engineering that were part of the first phase of the AUN/SEED-Net project, as paper

and oral presentations are now reviewed by independent referees.

The AUN/SEED-Net project, which began the second phase early this year, will focus on researches in major global issues like biotechnology, disaster mitigation and management, global environment, natural resources and materials, and renewable energy.

Established in 2001 with the support of JICA, AUN/SEED-Net is composed of 19 leading universities in 10 ASEAN countries with the support of 11 leading Japanese universities making it the largest academic network in engineering in the region.

With the help of AUN/SEED-Net, Southeast Asia has become an interesting option for higher education in engineering. This network serves as an avenue to promote collaboration and solidarity between academics and professionals in the region-wise development of engineering education and research capabilities.

The conference titled, “Writing the Future: The First Asia Pacific Festival of Writing” was organized by the Institute of Technology, New Delhi together with the Asia Pacific Writing Partnership to showcase the emergent writings in the Asia-Pacific region a multi-genre workshop and literary conference.

The festival aimed at increasing the awareness of the international audience about the dynamic literary production in the region. Writers, academics, scholars and publishers were invited to discuss obstacles and ways by which interaction across regions could best be achieved.

Sianturi led a workshop session on poetry for both new and established writers at

the Sanskriti Kendra Artists’ Residence. Together with her were five other session leaders: John Drew (Convenor, Cambridge Poetry Workshop), Kaiser Haq (University of Dhaka, Bangladesh), Keki Daruwalla (India), Lakshmi Pamuntjak (Indonesia), and Ravi Shankar (Central Connecticut State University, USA). Aside from the workshop session, the workshop featured poetry reading by the invited poets and participants.

Sianturi’s participation in the workshop and conference allowed her to share the creative writing tradition in the Philippines and the

programs and goals of the BNSCWC. “Where ever one goes, one discovers

poetry has a common language or, better still, is the common language. Distinct cultures bring about different creative processes that allow for an enriching dialogue not only about poetry but human experience in general, Sianturi said.”

Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center (BNSCWC) Director and Literature Department Associate Professor Dr. Dinah Sianturi represented De La Salle University in a workshop and literary conference held in India last October 15-25.

bNScWc DirEctor LEADS poEtry WorkShop iN iNDiA

Sianturi with Keki Daruwalla, a leading Indian poet.

Session leaders and participants of the Sanskriti poetry workshop.

1915 – Brother Aciselus Michael FSC, school director, hired Juan Medrano, the first lay teacher of DLS who served until 1963. The University conferred on him the title Teacher Emeritus.

1946 – Magdalena Estrada became DLSC’s first woman teacher.

1969 – A faculty development program was begun that allowed La Salle professors to pursue research and study in various disciplines. The Faculty Association was also created under the leadership of the late Dr. Aurelio Calderon for the cultural and professional promotion of the faculty, whether in the classroom or the social hall.

1971 – Ariston Estrada, Sr. was conferred the title Professor Emeritus, the first such title given by DLSC.

1975 – Dr. Aurelio Calderon, chair of the DLSU Department of History

and Political Science, gave a lecture at Waseda University, Tokyo, marking the beginning of the DLSU-Waseda Faculty Exchange Program.

1985 - Dr. Emerita Quito, former chair of the Philosophy Department and vice president for Academics, won the first Metrobank Search for Outstanding Teachers, a highly regarded national award that recognizes excellence in the field of teaching and service.

Sources: La Salle: 1911-1986 by Quirino,

Carlos, 1986 A Gathering of Archers, by

Excareal-Velasco, Rosanna and Carunungan, Tomas III, 2004

LASALLiAN tEAchEr miLEStoNESSince the establishment of the first La Salle school in the country on June 16, 1911, Lasallian education has grown to become a major influence in Philippine culture and society, serving as a strong resource for various sectors and fields. The school’s traditions of excellence and service have been shaped by the many teachers who continue to touch the hearts, teach the minds, and transform the lives of countless students.

Every term, CAO stages a one and a half-hour show featuring an art form, ranging from music to dance to theater arts. A potent supplement in teaching Art Appreciation and Drama, the program is closely based on the Humanities syllabus.

Now on its second year, the program offers interactive performances featuring homegrown Lasallian talents. The various productions aim to give the audience a rich and interactive artistic experience. After the performances, the organizers open the floor for the audience to ask questions and

learn more about the art and the artists.

This term’s run last October 17 at the Yuchengco Theater featured the full force of the music division of CAO: DLSU Chamber Ensemble, DLSU Pops Orchestra, DLSU Chorale, and Innersoul. Various special guests graced and rendered special performances. Among these guests is the Manila Symphony Orchestra, the CYO Chorale, and renowned tenor Ronan Ferrer.

Audiences were treated with a wide variety of musical gems such as Mozart’s “Magic Flute,” Beethoven’s “Symphony

No. 9,” San Pedro’s “Ugoy sa Duyan,” Verdi’s “Libiamo,” Delarmente’s “Ilay Gandagan,” Cayabyab’s “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika,” and an orchestral arrangement of the Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

For the theater program, “Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio” will again be staged on November 14, 3-5 pm at the William Shaw Little Theatre, featuring the Harlequin Theatre Guild. The guild will then stage National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera’s “Ang Hibik at Himagsik ni Victoria Lactaw” on March 12-14 of next year.

Art iN ActioN: briNgiNg iDEAS to rEALityIn line with the concept of transformative learning introduced by the late Br. Andrew Gonzalez FSC, the Cultural Arts Office (CAO) of De La Salle University continues to promote Art in Action, a collaborative project series with the Literature Department that started last year.

Deadline for submission of entries will be on December 2, 2008.Submit all entries at the Central Plaza, 9:00AM to 3:30 PM.Winners shall be announced during the Institutional Christmas Celebration on December 18, 2008.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three lanterns: First prize P 10,000.00 Second prize P 7,000.00 Third prize P 5,000.00

grEEN giviNginstitutional christmas celebration 2008Lantern-making contest

Lanterns may be of any shape or 1. design (star, animals, plants or geometric figures, etc.) and should follow the Institutional Christmas Celebration 2008 theme, Green Giving.Lanterns may be single or cluster 2. type.Lanterns shall be 3. COLORFUL, sturdy, waterproof, light weight, with RECYCLED or INDIGENOUS materials.Lanterns shall be well-illuminated, 4. with the use of incandescent bulb or colorful Christmas lights.Size of single lanterns shall not be 5. less than 36 inches (height, or width, or diameter).

All members of the community are 6. invited to join the contest. Entries submitted by either individuals or groups are acceptable.Entry forms are available at the 7. Campus Development office–LS mezzanine 160 (c/o Arch. Cely Gonzales). All entries shall be displayed 8. beginning December 2, 2008 at the Central Plaza. Judging of entries will conducted during the week of December 2-5, 2008.

DLSU 2009 Planner, available for P700. Planner fillers with new designs are also sold separately. The planner features different facts about the University, as well as inspiring meditations of St. John

Baptist de La Salle. For more info, contact Virgie at local 144.

2008 DLSU hoLiDAy mErchANDiSE

Executive jacket, available for P800. Limited

edition only.

Guidelines:

LA SALLE hoStS UNitED boArD fELLoWSTo help prepare mid-career faculty and administrators for leadership positions in their home institutions, De La Salle University, in partnership with the United Board (UB) for Christian Higher Education in Asia, is currently hosting two faculty members from China and India.

Last September 15, the University welcomed Dr. Zhou Ye, News Center director of Fudan University, China, as a UB Fellow under the guidance of Edwin Santiago, registrar and assistant vice chancellor for Academic Services. He will stay in the country until mid-January.

Meanwhile, Sr. Kochuthressia Malpan Poulose, dean of Student Affairs of Stella Maris

College, in Chennai, India, commenced her UB Fellows Program in DLSU this month. Her mentor is Dr. Jose Alberto Reyes, coordinator of Community Counseling Center of the Counseling and Educational Psychology Department.

Last October 2, Anne Ofstedal, director of Fellowship

and Scholarship Programs of the United Board, visited

DLSU and conducted meetings with Dr. Roberto Borromeo, DLSU’s United Board contact person, and other UB Fellows.

Some of the activities the UB Fellows

undertook in DLSU included observing

the operations of departments, offices, and graduate and undergraduate programs; conducting research; and attending university meetings, workshops, and conferences. They will also visit other universities in Metro Manila.

UB Fellows are nominated by the top administration of their home institutions and specific leadership roles are identified for the next step in their academic career. Selected fellows will spend two semesters, one in each school year, at a host institution either in the United States or in Asia. They will also participate in a five-day leadership seminar at the end of each school year to network and share their learning with other Fellows.

Photo shows, from left, Sr. Kochuthressia Malpan Poulose and Dr. Zhou Ye

“Frou Frou, Shh…Wag Mo Sabihin Kay Itay” is a satire of the Mexican telenovela craze that became prominent way back in the 1990s. It combined technical mastery of digital filmmaking and tongue-in-cheek humor as it conveyed the story of two unlikely couple repressing their carnal longing for one another.

When asked about his reaction to his film’s achievement, Juat expressed his gratefulness to the committee and said that he did not expect his film would get such a distinction.

Juat graduated with a degree in Organizational Communication in 2005 and has since dabbled in video production and graphic design. His award-winning short film started out as a crude final project for his Post Production class, where he only used minimal resources. He then developed his concept and employed theater actors and an efficient crew for the current version of the film.

A lecturer in the Communication Department, he is teaching video production to Organizational

Communication majors while managing his own post production company, Keyframe.

Formed in 1998, Cinemanila International Film Festival aims to foster a sense of yearning among young and upcoming filmmakers to be more globally competitive and create quality world-class films worthy of international exhibition. Cinemanila has also elevated the local filmmaking industry by serving as a venue in which pioneering efforts in film-making, both national and international, are showcased.

De La Salle University alumnus and part-time faculty Michael Juat won the Best Southeast Asian Short Film category in this year’s run of Cinemanila International Film Festival. Juat’s film titled “Frou Frou, Shh…Wag Mo Sasabihin Kay Itay” bested other international entries from countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Photos by Pia Puno

DLSU fAcULty WiNS ciNEmANiLA’S bESt SoUth EASt ASiAN Short fiLm

NEW fAciLitiES fUrthEr improvE rEgiStrAr’S SErvicEA centralized Front Desk and a new interactive feature called “Front Desk Live!” were recently introduced by the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) to further improve its service.

According to Erick Salita of the OUR, the improvement of the Front Desk was conceived by Registrar Edwin Santiago for a more efficient and faster processing of transactions. Having this kind of system has lessened the burden of customers having to transfer from one window to another.

Salita pointed out that what gave impetus to this idea was the growing scope of service of the Registrar’s Office. Their office evolved from initially handling the processing of documents, which now employs a tracking number system, to having to take charge of room reservation transactions.

The growing clientele of the Registrar’s Office also gave

rise to its adoption of a webcam feature in their department. Through this new equipment, the Registrar’s clients, especially those on campus, can plan on their visit to the office by first checking online if the Front Desk is filled with people.

He explained that this equipment would save students, faculty, and department secretaries from the hassle of walking to the Front Desk only to be greeted by long queues.

These new features might not drastically change the system that the Registrar’s Office currently adopts, but Salita said that these would help them deliver a more efficient service.

is published bi-weekly by the Marketing Communication Office (L-163, intercom 144). Editorial deadline is 3 p.m. Tuesdays. Contributions should include the name, office and signature of the sender. Materials may be edited for clarity or space.

Jose Mari Magpayo, Executive Director; Ma. Ruby Carlos (carlosm@dlsu.edu.ph), Editor; AARichela dela Cruz, Anne Alina, Magsy Magbanua, Mark Pitoc, Writers; Peter Varona, Art Director; Luis De Vera, Ave Gaile Peraz, Ricky Binoya, Graphic Artists; Virginia Umacob-Gases, Secretary; Raymond Menor, Office Assistant. 2401 may be accessed online through the URL: http://www.dlsu.edu.ph

LASALLiANS WorLDWiDE to hoLD SyNchroNizED prAyEr of fAith On November 21 (8 a.m. local time), De La Salle University and centers of Lasallian faith across the globe will hold a synchronized prayer as they signal the start of the Huether Lasallian Conference 2008 in Saint Louis, Missouri. The conference will explore the theme, “Global Learning and Social Responsibility in a Lasallian Setting.”

The conference is an annual gathering of Lasallian educators in the United States and Toronto region. This event explores emerging educational issues and themes related to formation for mission and Lasallian spirituality. The conference concludes with a banquet honoring the Distinguished Lasallian Educator of the Year in each District.

The opening prayer, pre-recorded in Rome, will be led by Brother Alvaro

Rodriguez Echeverria, Superior General. It will be followed by prayers, initially from the conference site, then a live feed from Naorobi in Kenya, Bethlehem University, Universided La Salle in Mexico City, and DLSU.

Lasallian Pastoral Office Director Amelia Galang, representing the Manila campus, will deliver a reading from the “Meditations of De La Salle”

via webcast. A short response to the words of the Founder will be given by the Congregation in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Afterwards, DLSU students will perform the song, “Jesus In Our Hearts,” and light a candle on campus. The song, composed by Lasallians in Manila, will be sung by all the international partners to end the prayer service.