By Dhel Nazario
Filipino Professor Armand Mijares of the University of the Philippines led the presentation of new human species that were discovered in the country in a public lecture in Australia.
Filipino Professor Armand Mijares (TWITTER)
Mijares together with Professor Philip Piper of the Australian National University presented the discovery of a new hominin species Homo luzonensis at the Cultural Centre Kambri in Australian National University.
According to the Philippine Embassy in Canberra more than 90 people including students, professors, scientists, archaeologists and researchers of the Australian National University and members of the Filipino-Australian community attended and learned about the significance of this discovery in understanding hominin evolution in Southeast Asia.
Professor Mijares and Professor Piper co-authored this study which was featured in international media and was on the cover of the prestigious scientific journal Nature.
The discovery placed the Philippines in the global archaeological map.
“We recognize that we need to cultivate greater interest in science and innovation and to support our Filipino researchers in their endeavors," said Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ambassador Ma. Hellen De La Vega.
I hope this event will generate awareness on the great strides of our research institutions and the contributions of Filipinos to the world’s body of knowledge," she added.