BRIEFLY
Concept papers called for OVCRD Open Grant 2007
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development (OVCRD) is accepting concept papers for the OVCRD Open Grant 2007.
Concept papers should be at least five pages long and should contain the following: Tentative project title; Brief description: Expected impact; Expected output; Intended beneficiaries; Proposed budget; and Colleges/units/personnel to be involved in the project.
The grant is open to regular faculty members and Research, Extension and Professional Staff in active service in all UPD units, including UP Extension Program in Pampanga.
Proponents of short-listed concepts will be invited to submit full proposals.
Call for papers for emerging S&T field grants
The OVCRD is now accepting proposals for the UP System’s Institutional Development Grant and Emerging S&T Research Grant.
Proposals should be in the following areas: materials; biotechnology; pervasive computing; and measurement and instrumentation in support of the above fields.
April 16 is the deadline for submission of proposals to the OVCRD. These will be reviewed by a technical panel for endorsement to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Proposal guidelines are available at the OVCRD.
Prohibited acts in line with the May 14
elections
The Office of the Vice President for Administration reiterated the pertinent prohibited acts as contained in COMELEC Resolution No. 7707—Calendar of Activities and Periods of Prohibited Acts in connection with the May 14, 2007 National and Local Elections.
From January 14 until June 13, transfer of officers and employees in the civil service will be strictly prohibited. On the other hand, from March 30 until May 14, the law bans the hiring or appointment of new employees, the creation or filling up of new positions and promotion or giving of salary increases and additional remuneration and privileges. In the area of public works, construction, delivery of materials and issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds are also prohibited during said period. Finally, releases, disbursements or expenditures of public funds for public works, social services and development are also included in the election ban.
4-day workweek encouraged
UP President Emerlinda R. Román issued a memorandum encouraging offices to observe the 4-day workweek in April and May. “This is the best time to take advantage of longer daylight, which allows the flexibility to commence work earlier than 8 a.m. and end after 5 p.m. It is also an effective means of saving utilities for the University and giving personnel the opportunity to enjoy a 3-day weekend,” Román said.
Units may opt to follow a 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. work schedule from Tuesday to Friday. Meanwhile, units that deliver vital services to the public like the Infirmary, police force, PABX and garbage collection are to observe the regular work schedule.
In case a holiday falls on the workweek calendar, the University shall observe the regular 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday work schedule.
No war games on UPD premises
Activities simulating war or promoting violent activities (e.g. war games, air soft games, etc.) are now banned within the UPD premises. The activities were banned through a memorandum from the Office of the Chancellor dated November 14, 2006. Members of the community may report activities in violation of this order to the UPD Police at 928-3615.
BOR allows UP-administered review classes to use the UP name
The Board of Regents (BOR), in its 1215th meeting on November 24, 2006, amended the policy prohibiting the use of the UP name by groups, organizations and centers conducting review classes for entrance or qualifying exams to be applied only to review classes for entrance or qualifying exams administered by the university such as the UPCAT and the LAE.
According to the BOR, “Their advertisements tend to mislead the public who gets the impression that these review classes are sponsored by the University. More appalling is when these review classes are conducted by UP faculty and staff using the facilities of the University. These give false hopes to examinees who might think that they will pass the entrance or qualifying exams because they paid for a UP sponsored review class.”
The prohibition shall apply only to review classes for entrance/qualifying exams administered by the University.