On 29 July, JSPS teamed up with the JSPS Alumni Association of the Philippines(JAAP) and Department of Science and Technology(DOST) to hold an international research symposium titled “Sustainable Food System Innovation in the Changing Global Environment” during “National Science and Technology Week”. Venued in Manila, the symposium assembled 50 participants.

The symposium started off with the Welcome Remarks by Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, President of JAAP, Message by Mr. Tatsuo Kitagawa, Director of Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan and Prof. Kuniaki Yamashita, Director of JSPS Bangkok Office, and Keynote Message by Prof. Fortunato T. de la Peña, Secretary of DOST.

Prof. Dr. Keiko T. Natsuaki, Professor, Laboratory of Tropical Plant Protection Department of International Agricultural Development, Tokyo University of Agriculture delivered a Lecture titled “Tomorrow’s Lunchbox by Safe Food Production”, in which she introduced Japan’s farming problems and attempts through introducing attractiveness and merit of Japanese style lunch box Bento.

Dr. Keiko T. Natsuaki

The 2nd Lecture was followed by Dr. Susan May F. Calumpang, Scientist 1, College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines, themed “Farmer Innovations: Alternative Pest Management Strategies”, in which she introduced insect pest control system.

Dr. Susan May F. Calumpang and participants

From the afternoon session, 3rd Lecture was delivered by Prof. Dr. Seiji Katagiri, Professor, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, who introduced multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) as reproductive technology in livestock themed “Livestock breeding innovations towards food sufficiency – A research on uterine receptivity as a missing piece of MOET technology.

Dr. Seiji Katagiri and participants

In this symposium, Dr. Danai Tiwawech, Secretary of JSPS Alumni Association of Thailand (JAAT) was invited to deliver greetings and introduce the activity of JAAT.

Also Prof. Kuniaki Yamashita, Director, JSPS Bangkok Office made presentations on the activities of JSPS Bangkok Office. And some members of JAAP shared experiences in Japan as JSPS Fellows. Finally, Prof. Yamashita and Dr. Montoya gave medal to Ronpaku awardee.

Dr. Shelah Mae B. Ursua as awardee and Prof. Yamashita and Dr. Montoya

In the General Assembly, election of board members was organized and Dr. Susan M. Gallardo was elected as the new President of JAAP for 2016-2018.

JAAP member and staff of JSPS Bangkok Office