SPVM holds first virtual annual conference
by Bianca Rae S. Fabricante, CSM
The Department of Physics of MSU-IIT led the conduct of the first virtual annual conference of the more than two decades- old Samahang Pisika ng Visayas at Mindanao (SPVM).
“ConVIRTUALisation,” the 22nd SPVM National Physics Conference was conducted via the video conferencing app, Zoom, on October 17, 24, and 31, 2020.
The three-day event charged no registration fee, had 15 plenary speakers, and boasted an attendance of about 350 international and local participants.
The SPVM is a very active and independent association of physics teachers, researchers, and students from Visayas and Mindanao that is based in MSU-IIT.
Its annual conference is conducted in cooperation with two other universities – Silliman University in Dumaguete City and Mapua University in Manila.
The scientific talks at the 22nd SPVM conference were grouped as follows: Materials and Functions held on October 17; Science Education and Fundamental Physics held on October 24; and Biophysics and Complex Systems held on October 31.
Chancellor Sukarno D. Tanggol of MSU-IIT, Dr. Betty Cernol-McCan, President of Silliman University, and Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea, President of Mapua University, delivered messages of support for the conduct of the conference and to the organization.
During the closing ceremonies held on October 31, SPVM welcomed 52 new members from all over the country and inducted newly elected officers that will constitute the leadership of SPVM.
Dr. Eli Christopher I. Enobio and Dr. Rolando T. Candidato, Jr., both from the Department of Physics of MSU-IIT were the new SPVM President and Vice-President, respectively.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Enobio invoked the four I’s: Information, Interest, Incentive, Involvement, which he envisions to be the guiding pillars of SPVM to achieve its objectives in the new normal.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Physics and SPVM conducted a series of online trainings and webinars since March 2020.
In his status report and exit speech as the Officer-in-Charge of SPVM, Dr. Mark Nolan P. Confesor said that it was a testament to the resiliency of the organization when it stayed true to its mandate of promoting and furthering physics research and education in the country.
For more information about SPVM and its upcoming activities, please visit the website: https://spvm.org.ph/.
