The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) launched three new research and instructional laboratories located at the Dante de Padua Building on June 21.
The new laboratories are the UPLB Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes-Research and Instructional Infrastructure for Mentoring and Collaboration (PCARI-PRIME) Collaboratory, the UPLB Electricity Market Research Laboratory, and the Department of Electrical Engineering (DEE) Robotics and Automation Research Laboratory.
According to a report posted on the UPLB website, the new laboratories are being managed by the DEE under the College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology (CEAT).
These are expected to widen the university’s capability in instruction, research, and public service as per Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr.
The UPLB PCARI PRIME Collaboratory, which will host lectures and remote classes, originated from DEE and the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute (EEEI) of UP Diliman that was intended for the remote offering of their Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering, said in the report.
It was funded by the PCARI-PRIME under the Commission on Higher Education.
Meanwhile, Fernando O. Paras, Jr., vice chancellor for planning and development, shared how the UPLB was able to increase its savings in power and electricity costs through direct membership in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).
WESM allowed the campus to choose its electrical supplier at intervals and buy where it is cheaper.
The UPLB Electricity Market Research Laboratory will be hosting this process and students can observe how UPLB trades in the electricity spot market.
The DEE Robotics and Automation Research Laboratory is set to upgrade the university’s automation and instrumentation research.
Among the attendees of the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Vice-Chancellors Jean O. Loyola (academic affairs), Janette H. Malata-Silva (student affairs), CEAT Dean Rossana Marie C. Amongo, and DEE Chair Roderick L. Catriz. (Luisa Cabato)