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The ¾ÅÉ«, through the College of Science and the Department of Math and Physics, hosted the 26th Samahang Pisika ng Visayas at Mindanao National Physics Conference ( SPVM NPC) from October 17 to 19, 2024, at the Dr. Robert Sy Grand Ballroom of the Bl. Buenaventura García Paredes, O.P. Building and the third Floor of the UST Main Building.

This year’s 26th SPVM NPC was held with the 2024 International Conference on Advanced Functional Materials and Nanotechnology, the 2024 International Meeting on Complex Systems, and the 2024 International Conference on Particles and Radiation. The hosting of the 26th SPVM NPC is part of the centennial activities of the College of Science as it celebrates its 98th year this 2024. The local organizing committee was headed by Asst. Prof. John Andrew Albay, Ph.D. of the UST Department of Mathematics and Physics, and was ably supported by the academic staff and students of the department. The conference saw 430 participants from different parts of the Philippines, with foreign participants from Australia, France, Germany, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, and the USA.

The opening ceremonies started with Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH, welcoming the participants to the ¾ÅÉ« on behalf of the Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D. This was followed by the keynote address by Dr. Enrico Paringit, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, Emerging Technology Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCIEERD). He stressed the importance of conducting high-level research with applications to industry, energy, and emerging technologies to support innovation and development. He updated the audience on several research projects in physics that PCIEERD had funded.

The opening ceremonies ended with the message of Prof. Alizedney M. Ditucalan, JD, LLM, Chancellor of the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), which was delivered by Prof. Dr. Ephrime B. Metillo, Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise of MSU-IIT. The SPVM traces its origins to the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, specifically its Department of Physics.
The conference saw the lectures of well-respected physicists, including Dr. Andrew Holle of the National University of Singapore, Acad. Dr. Christopher Bernido of the Research Center for Theoretical Physics in Jagna, Bohol, Prof. Hsuan-Yi Chen of the National Central University in Taiwan, and Prof. Ting-Hua Lu of the National Taiwan Normal University, among others. Prof. Bernhard Egwolf and Asst. Prof. John Andrew Albay represented the ¾ÅÉ« in the roster of speakers in this well-attended conference.

The three-day event was not only a significant learning opportunity for our country’s top physicists, physics educators and students, but it also highlighted the importance of collaboration and networking to uplift the status of physics research in the Philippines.