President Arroyo will be the keynote speaker at the 24th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the prestigious National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) on July 10-11.

With "Enhancing Philippine Science and Technology Thru ICT" as its theme, the meeting will be held at the Manila Hotel.

Dr. Perla D. Santos Ocampo, president of NAST (the government’s highest recognition and advisory body on S&T), said the meeting will tackle issues on chemical, mechanical, and physical sciences; engineering sciences and technology; biological sciences; agricultural sciences; health sciences; and social sciences.

"The two-day scientific meeting will culminate in the formulation of policy recommendations of other concerned agencies and institutions," said Dr. Ocampo, an internationally known scientist who was one-time chancellor of the University of the Philippines Manila.

The plenary sessions will tackle such issues as "Enhancing Philippine Science and Technology through ICT," "ICT in Education," "Meeting Global Competition: Clustering from Research to Market," and "Making Philippine Biotechnology Competitive." (ICT stands for information and communication technology).

Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II will be the guest speaker at the closing program while Science and Technology Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro will give the closing remarks.

Among the highlights of the ASM’s closing ceremonies are the presentation of NAST awards to the outstanding scientific papers, outstanding book/monograph, best posters, NAST-Du Talent Search for Young Scientists, TWAS Prize for Young Scientists in the Philippines, and Outstanding Young Scientists.

Also to be held is the investiture of new academicians to be officiated by Ocampo to be assisted by NAST vice president Dr. Ruben L. Villareal. Alabastro will administer the oath of the new academicians.

The July 10-11 scientific meeting at the Manila Hotel will be preceded by a videoconference to be held in Manila, Cebu City, and Davao City on July 3-5.

The issues to be tackled on July 3 are genetically modified organisms, "bioterrorism," stem cell research, and the biology of prions.

To be discussed on July 4 are "Parallel Computing," "Enhancing Philippine Engineering Through ICT," and "Capacity Building for Engineers."

On July 5, health and social science issues will be covered.