The UPLB Genetics Society, also known as the UPLB
GeneSoc, is an academic organization that was established in 1983, pioneered by
23 Biology and Agriculture majors. Through the years, the organization has
strived to promote and create awareness about the science of Genetics in the
country; to facilitate the interaction between the faculty and members of the
organization; and to give each member an opportunity to discuss trends,
activities and ideas in Genetics and its related fields. For the past years, the
UPLB GeneSoc regularly sponsors activities including the regular BIO 30
Tutorials, annual BIO 30 InterLab Quiz Contest, IQlympics General Info-IQ Quiz
Contest, the annual Genetics Week and Genetics Camp. Aside from these academic
ventures, the organization has been holding outreach programs in different
communities; and have been participating to athletic events within the college.
Objectives
- To promote and create awareness about the science of Genetics in the Philippines;
- To facilitate the interaction between the faculty and the members of the organization;
- To function as a study group for students interested in Genetics and its related fields in the University; and
- To give each member an opportunity to discuss trends, activities, and ideas in Genetics, and its related sciences.
History
It was December 20, 1983 when The UPLB Genetics Society
came into history. It was pioneered by 23 Biology and Agriculture majors,
headed by Paulino Daniel Cepeda. Through the years, the organization has
strived in promoting and creating awareness about the science of Genetics in
the Philippines, in facilitating the interaction between the faculty and the
members of the organization, in functioning as a study group interested in
Genetics and its related fields in the University and in giving each member an
opportunity to discuss trends, activities and ideas in Genetics and its related
sciences.
Pursuing the goal of promoting academic excellence, the
organization sponsors the BIO 30 tutorials every semester to provide
supplementary lectures for students taking the Genetics course. The society
also developed a reputation as a force in campus quiz contest with the BIO 30
Interlab Quiz Contest held during the first semester and the IQlympics on the
second semester. These two quiz contests are participated by students as well
as other organizations in the university. More so, as a way of celebrating
trends and frontiers in Genetics, The UPLB Genetics Society yearly holds the
Genetics Week, which was started in 1986. It features an exhibit, the IQlympics
quiz contest, a symposia and Open Tambayan that encourages and invites audience
both within and outside academic premises.
The UPLB Genetics Society is also known to have sponsored
the first National Genetics Symposium in 1990. This was held again in 1992 and
1994. The event became the forerunner of the Philippine Society for the Advancement
of Genetics (PhilSAGen) - the organization of leading professionals related to
the science of Genetics in the Philippines. In 1996, the PhilSAGen took over
the sponsorship of the symposium. Two years later, GeneSoc sponsored the 1st
Luzon Intercollegiate Genetics Quiz Contest which was participated by twelve
universities. In 2006, the society launched the Genetics Camp (GenCamp), a
2-day activity for high school students and faculty. The camp, which replaced
the Inter-Collegiate Quiz Contes, initially catered to students from Los
Baños and its vicinity. GeneSoc eventually achieved a Luzon-wide coverage
in the 2008 Genetics Camp offering.
Aside from these academic activities, the organization
has been participating to athletic events in the campus. The society also holds
advocacy and outreach programs to the community like medical missions in rural
areas. In 2007, the organization initiated the Hope Intervention Outreach
Program: One Gene, One Child which caters to the special children of the
Hope Intervention Center in Calamba, Laguna. The following year (2008), GeneSoc
started another advocacy program that was grounded on the importance and
capacity of the youth in promulgating change in society. After being handpicked
by Dr. Carmencita Padilla, former director of the Institute of Human
Genetics of the National Institutes of Health - UP Manila , GeneSoc accepted
the challenge to take the lead on building a youth leaders network that will
promote awareness on folic acid supplementation, rare disorders and newborn
screening. Together with technical partners from IHG-NIH and DOH, the endeavor
materialized as the Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health of the Philippines last
July 2009.
With endless dedication and perseverance, The UPLB
Genetics Society had, and will continue to live up to the dream, pursue its
commitment for excellence and service, take bolder steps and even exceed its
limits.
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