Four Filipino researchers have been awarded the CHED-Newton PhD Scholarships and are set to travel to the United Kingdom early in 2018 to begin their PhD studies. The scholars are Joan Pauline Talubo, Stephen Doliente, Paul Dominick Baniqued, and Zyra Evangelista.
Joan Pauline Talubo of the University of the Philippines Los Banos will study at the University of Surrey on the development of new approaches to strengthen resilience of island communities in the Philippines. One of Talubo’s aims is to aid decision-makers in disaster risk and recovery planning for vulnerable communities.
Stephen Doliente, also from the UP Los Banos will conduct his research on environment-food-energy-water nexus concerning biomass for energy and food security at the University of Bath. He proposes to analyse balanced interactions of elements in the production of energy from biomass that could guarantee secure energy supply without significant exhaustion of natural resources.
Paul Dominick Baniqued from the De La Salle University will research at the University of Leeds on neurorehabilitation, particularly on the use of robotic exoskeletons in therapy. This study on hand movement and how it is processed in the brain is part of Baniqued’s aims of providing economical means in stroke rehabilitation.
Zyra Evangelista is also from the De La Salle University and she will study campus climate affecting well-being outcomes for LGBT at the University of Glasgow. Through a detailed investigation on campus climate and its association with academic and well-being outcomes for LGBT university students, Evangelista aims to contribute key baseline documentation for inclusive policies in the improvement of LGBT’s access to equitable education.
An awarding ceremony and send-off took place on December 15, 2017 in Pasig City, with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) represented by Ms Marianne Joy Vital, Programme Director for the K to 12 Programme Management Unit. CHED is one of the national partners of the Newton Agham Programme in country. The British Council was represented by Nicholas Thomas, Country Director.
“The Newton PhD programme aims to facilitate the capacity building of individuals, and sustainable, long-lasting links between UK and Philippines.” Thomas said.
For the past four years, the British Council has partnered with CHED and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in co-funding the Newton PhD Programme. This year’s cohort of scholars increases the total of current PhDs in the UK to 22 since the programme’s launch in 2014.
The Newton Fund builds research and innovation partnerships with 17 partner countries to support their economic development and social welfare, and to develop their research and innovation capacity for long-term sustainable growth. It has a total UK Government investment of £735 million up until 2021, with matched resources from the partner countries.