In view of the energy crisis in the country, the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST Phl) conducted a roundtable discussion on the geologic hazards of Southwest (SW) Natib volcano, where the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) is located. Representatives from different government agencies, private corporations, academic institutions, non-government organisations and other stakeholders joined the discussion. The RTD was held on 13 October 2011 at the Traders Hotel, Pasay City. It was co-sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and AGHAM Party-List. Academician Fernando Siringan served as focal person for this RTD.

Following the recommendation of the Elections Committee and the approval by the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Council at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, 45 new members (including 42 Fellows and 3 Associate Fellows) were accepted by the Academy. Included among the list of new members for 2011 is National Scientist Lourdes Cruz of the Philippines. Dr. Cruz joins the rank of the esteemed Fellows of the TWAS membership.

                DR. VARINDERPAL SINGH

                NAST-INSA Exchange Fellow

Soil Scientist

Department of Soil Science

Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

Dr. Varinderpal Singh, a soil scientist of the Department of Soil Science at the Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, India, is currently in the Philippines under the NAST (National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines) - INSA (Indian National Science Academy) International Collaboration Exchange Program from November 15 to December 5, 2011. He is actively involved in the development of site-specific and need-based fertilizer nitrogen management strategies in the cereal crops. He has established fixed time variable nitrogen dose technology using leaf color chart (LCC) in rice.  The LCC is a plastic, ruler-shaped strip containing four or more panels that range in color from yellowish green to dark green. It is an easy-to-use and inexpensive diagnostic tool for monitoring the relative greenness of a rice leaf as an indicator of the plant N status. He has also established need-based fertilizer nitrogen management technology in wheat using leaf color chart, chlorophyll meter and Green Seeker optical sensor. He is active in training extension specialists and farmers for the adoption of need-based fertilizer nitrogen management strategies in crops. He has published 12 peer-reviewed research papers and a review article on said topics.