WELLNESS IN CULTURE: Three Filipinos Selected to Attend International Science Journalism Conference

Ten science journalists from Asia have been selected by the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) to attend the 9th World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ). The WCSJ will take place in South Korea, with a post-conference tour to Japan. Out of 40 applicants from nine Asian countries, only 10 journalists were selected. And out of the 10 journalists, three come from the Philippines. GMA News Online’s own SciTech editor, Timothy James Dimacali, is among the journalists who received the travel grant. The other journalists chosen were: Yunanto Wiji Utomo Uyung Pramudiarja Ruby Shaira Panela (Philippines) Imelda Abano (Philippines) Van Manh Tran Mi Hoang Van Hiep Le Pitambar Sigdel Sudarsha Chanaka De Silva The grant is part of the Science journalism COOPeration (SjCOOP) Asia, the WFSJ’s flagship project which aims to help science journalists develop the skills necessary to efficiently cover science-related news. Aside from receiving a travel grant to attend the WCSJ, the winners will also be taught data journalism reporting. —Bea Montenegro/KG, GMA News https://ph.news.yahoo.com/3-pinoys-attend-int-l-science-journalism-conference-075106177.html

WELLNESS IN EDUCATION: Philippines being developed as Asia’s hub of flying schools

With the number of foreign students increasing every year, the Philippines is being developed as a hub of flying schools in Asia, prompting schools to upgrade and increase investments, sources said. “The Philippines is already playing an important role in the air transport sector in the region because it is becoming a destination of choice for foreign students who are pursuing aviation studies,” said retired Lt Gen William Hotchkiss, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). The Philippines has already gained “competitive edge in training of pilots, aviation technicians and skilled (aviation) workers as shown by the records of at least 36 flying schools in the Philippines,” said Hotchkiss. The government should firm up policies to help the country’s aviation education sector, said Hotchkiss, adding that this will strengthen the edge already achieved by the country’s aviation education sector with the coming economic integration of the 10-member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) by end of 2015. Enhancement of the aviation education sector should be included in the government’s programme to integrate the whole air transport sector and ensure that its safety meets international standards, said Hotchkiss. The European Commission lifted its ban of the Philippine Airlines in 2013, and Cebu Pacific in 2014.