The Department of Science and Technology’s Science Education Institute awarded the winners in the 2010 Gawad Leadership and Innovations for Development Relevant to Science Education in three categories during the Opening Ceremonies of the National Science and Technology Week July 19, 2010.

This year’s Gawad LIDER recipients are Dr. Simon L. Chua for Exemplary Leadership (individual category), president of the Mathematics Trainers Guild of the Philippines; University of the Philippines – National Engineering Center for Exemplary Leadership (institution category), and: Dr. Fortunato B. Sevilla III for Innovation, who teaches at the University of Sto. Tomas.

SEI Director Dr. Ester B. Ogena, co-chair of the award’s national steering committee said the winners are good examples that Filipinos can follow in changing the country’s science education landscape.

“Their work has truly helped us improve the delivery of science education services to the Filipino people. In the ever increasing demand to improve our country’s educational system, they are the guiding posts in our way towards an enlightened path in making education in the sciences truly responsive to the needs of our times,” she said.

The winners received P200,000 each in cash prize tax-free, medals, and certificates during the recent 2010 National Science and Technology Week celebration opening program held at the Manila Hotel.

Gawad LIDER is a biennial award given to individuals and groups who demonstrated leadership, innovation, and ability to inspire in improving education in the sciences.

Chua, the principal of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School has shown strong leadership in the training of elementary and high school students in basic and advanced mathematics, and in Philippine participation in international mathematics competitions. He is also a recipient of the Paul Erdos Award from the World Federation of National Mathematics Competitions.

Meanwhile, the UP-NEC assisted 8,073 trainees over the past six years to enhance their education in engineering and related fields. The trainees include officers and employees of electric cooperatives, young professionals, real estate appraisers, and building inspectors, among others.

It provides short courses, institutional strengthening, and other projects including technical manpower in various engineering fields that utilize indigenous resources appropriate to the needs of local industries.

On the other hand, Sevilla is credited for the design and development of affordable laboratory equipment for chemical education such as colorimeter, polarimeter, pH meter, and conductimeter that were encouraged by the UNESCO and recognized in international journals such as the Journal of Chemical Education.

This chemistry teaching equipment was made popular through workshops held in different parts of the country. In recognition of this achievement, Sevilla was invited as member of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry’s subcommittee for chemistry education for development.

Sevilla was also cited as one of DOST’s 50 Men and Women of Science during its 50th anniversary in 2008.

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