The Novartis Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) is a pioneering annual biotechnology seminar for entrepreneurial, postgraduate students in science or business who are interested in pursuing a career in biotechnology.

Themed "Building the Country's Human Resources for Better Health", the Local BioCamp will be held on July 28, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City.At the end of the Local BioCamp, two students will be selected based on academic excellence and professional focus to represent the Philippines in the International BioCamp, which will be held from August 23 to August 27, 2015 at the Novartis Campus in Basel, Switzerland. In the Philippines, Novartis works with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Council for Health Research and Development Department of Science and Technology in organizing the Local BioCamp.

To register for the Local and International BioCamp, visit www.novartis.com.ph and download the interactive PDF application form. After completing the application form, save and e-mail it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Deadline for application is 5:00 PM, July 15, 2015. Only complete applications will be considered. Selected students will be informed via e-mail.

For more information about the 2015 Novartis BioCamp, log on to www.novartis.com.ph or www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph. You may also call Mr. J. Cecil Barrameda at (0917) 325-9549 or Mr. Renz Carlos B. So at (0915) 903-6665 / (02) 837 7537.

Nominations for the 2015 APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (ASPIRE) Prize through APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) is now open.  The APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (“ASPIRE”) is an annual award which recognizes young scientists who have demonstrated a commitment to both excellence in scientific research, as evidenced by scholarly publication and cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies.

Each year the APEC host economy is asked to provide a theme to guide nominations for the ASPIRE Prize to be awarded in their host year. As its host year for 2015, the Philippines selected "Disaster Risk Reduction: Understanding the Role of Climate Change and Variability”as the ASPIRE nominating theme. This theme focuses on innovative technologies that may help economies adapt to the changing climate, protect the natural environment, and build resilient and sustainable societies. Nominations are therefore sought from young scientists under the age of 40 in subjects such as: sustainable development, environmental studies, ecology, disaster management, urban planning, and engineering, among others.

The winner will be announced during the 2015 ASPIRE Ceremony which is scheduled in August during the 6^th PPSTI Meeting in Cebu, Philippines.

For more information, please visit the 2015 ASPIRE Prize Websites at http://www.apec.org/aspire or http://www.apec.org/Press/News-Releases/2015/0202_ASPIRE.aspx

For questions and inquiries, you may contact Mr. Alex Rogers of the APEC PPSTI on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Ms. Tracy Huang, ASPIRE Prize sponsor’s representative on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..