Wherever I am, the world comes after me. It offers me its busyness. It does not believe that I do not want it. Now I understand why the old poets of China went so far and high into the mountains, then crept into the pale mist. "The Old Poets of China" by Mary Oliver
UP Asian Center and Osaka University Collaborate for Workshop on Photonics
UP Asian Center and Osaka University Collaborate for Workshop on Photonics
Details
The UP Asian Center, together with Osaka University, co-presented the workshop "Photonics in Focus: From Research to Real-Life Applications" on 25 August 2023 , 2:00 PM (GMT+8), at the Seminar Room, UP Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Part of the Osaka University ASEAN Campus Project and SDG Co-creation Forum, this initiative serves as a platform to promote collaboration among various stakeholders who aim to solve regional and global issues that ASEAN countries face such as research institutions, universities, local governments, non-profit organizations, and private sectors in the ASEAN region. It seeks to recognize and harness the power of science to address pressing social issues within the region.
Students, faculty members, and researchers from different scientific backgrounds, including physics, engineering, biology, archaeology, and geology, among others participated in the workshop. This assembly of participants with diverse expertise inspires innovation and collaboration that extend beyond their respective fields of study.
Distinguished professors and researchers delivered presentations introducing photonics technology and its diverse applications. Professor Fujita Katsumasa, Director of Osaka University's Photonics Center shared his work that paved the way for the creation of more interdisciplinary research programs such as The Photonics Hub for Life and Biomedical Engineering which explores the application of photonics in other fields such as engineering, biology and medicine.
From UP Diliman’s National Institute of Physics, Dr. Percival Almoro, esteemed Professor and the Program Coordinator of the Photonics Research Laboratory, provided an introduction on the principles and applications of multi-wavelength bioimaging using a modified digital camera. He illustrated photonics' role in pioneering imaging techniques to help researchers in agriculture and medicine, among others. Dr. Almoro also gave an interesting demonstration of his improvised instrument to interested attendees.
The final segment of the presentations explored the potential of photonics to address critical challenges in ASEAN countries. Professor Tamiya Eiichi from the Center for Global Initiatives at Osaka University shared his work on the application of photonics in biosensing, cutting-edge medical research, and food safety. He highlighted the benefits of photonics research in reducing the risk of severe infections by using wearable technology for early diagnosis. Meanwhile, Professor Kishima Haruhiko, the Director of Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics (MEI) at Osaka University, presented the MEI model of sustainability which covers research, education, and communication to communities. This model opens the possibility of addressing the increasing cost of medical expenses through medical devices and regenerative medicine.
The workshop culminated in an exploration of photonics' interdisciplinary applications. In the spirited open forum session, attendees probed the practical integration of photonics across different scientific fields and medicine, as well as its implications in business and law. The discussions captured varied perspectives and reflected the enthusiasm of the participants to apply photonics technology in addressing the challenges they face in their respective fields.
This knowledge exchange was spearheaded by the Dr. Matthew M. Santamaria, AC Assistant to the Dean for Cultural Affairs with the support of Dr. Maria Dulce F. Natividad, AC College Secretary in fulfilment of the Center’s commitment of internationalization and collaboration that transcend disciplinary boundaries.
ABOUT THE ASEAN CAMPUS SDGs CO-CREATION FORUM
The Osaka University ASEAN Campus SDGs Co-Creation Forum aims to foster international collaboration among universities, the private sector, and local governments to drive impactful innovation within the region. Through this co-creation network, Osaka University aims to provide research and exchange opportunities geared towards achieving sustainable development goals.
FUJITA KATSUMASA, PH.D. Director, Photonics Center, School of Engineering Professor, Department of Applied Physics Osaka University
PERCIVAL F. ALMORO, PH.D. Program Coordinator, Photonics Research Laboratory Professor, National Institute of Physics University of the Philippines Diliman
TAMIYA EIICHI, PH.D. Advanced Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, AIST Center for Global Initiatives Osaka University
KISHIMA HARUHIKO, M.D., PH.D. Director, Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine Osaka University
INOUE YASUSHI, PH.D. Professor Inoue Yasushi, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences Osaka University
NATHANIEL P. HERMOSA, II, PH.D. Professor, National Institute of Physics Photonics Research Laboratory University of the Philippines Diliman
ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
SUMIMURA YOSHINORI, PH.D. Professor, Center for Global Initiatives Osaka University
SHIMAZONO YOSUKE, PH.D. Associate Professor, Center for Global Initiatives Osaka University
MORE PHOTOS FROM THE WORKSHOP
For inquiries, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman offers M.A. degrees in Asian Studies with four fields of specialization: Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia. The UP Asian Center also has an M.A. program in Philippine Studies that allows students to major in Philippine society and culture, Philippine foreign relations, or Philippine development studies. It also offers a Ph.D. program in Philippine Studies in conjunction with the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. For an overview of these graduate programs, click here. As an area studies institution, the Asian Center also publishes Asian Studies: Journal of Critical Perspectives on Asia, the latest issue of which can be downloaded at the journal's website. For other news and upcoming events at the Asian Center, click here.
