Campus News

UIC gets the 1st PALAS accreditation in Mindanao

The Philippine Association for Animal Laboratory Science (PALAS) awarded to the University of the Immaculate Conception the first ever “Achievement of PALAS Accreditation” in Mindanao during the PALAS 28th Annual Scientific Conference at the Hive Hotel and Convention Place, Quezon City on May 19-20, 2016.

Given to recognize UIC’s new Animal House facility, research animal handling expertise, and systems for Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), the award again attests for UIC’s commitment to excellence in research. UIC is the only academic institution in Mindanao with an animal house facility for use in research and teaching activities involving animals.

Formally conferred by PALAS President Dr. Rainier Villanueva and Accreditation Committee Chair and Co-chair Dr. Joseph Masangkay and Dr. Ranillo Resuello, the distinguished award was received by UIC IACUC Chair Ms. Vivien Leigh Pasicolan, Vice Chair Dr. Bayani Vandenbroeck, and member Ms. Marilou Tablizo, together with the University’s Research Director Dr. Renan Limjuco.

UIC’s pursuit of the PALAS accreditation was in response to the Republic Act 8485 or “Animal Welfare Act of 1998? instituting the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) to authorize PALAS, per DA Administrative Order on “Rules and Regulations on the Conduct of Scientific Procedures”, to accredit animal care and use programs of private and public research entities. Pursuant to RA 8485, all research and teaching activities involving the use of vertebrate animals must first be reviewed and approved by a BAI/PALAS-accredited IACUC.

Hence, as a groundbreaking milestone in health researches in the region, UIC is opening the new service facilities, to be available for other institutions and researchers in the region. This leadership commitment of UIC is expected to propel all levels of health researches in the region, from high school Science Investigatory Projects (SIPs) to undergraduate and graduate studies involving experimental animals, to a higher and more competitive ground.