NISMED staff posthumously awarded Gawad Chanselor sa Natatanging REPS

Dr. Amelia E. Punzalan, the former Chair of the High School Chemistry Group was given the Gawad Chanselor sa Natatanging Research, Extension, and Professional Staff (REPS). The awarding ceremony was held at the Institute of Biology Auditorium on 8 May 2015. The award is UP’s way of appreciating and valuing the contribution of REPS to the growth of the University, the generation of knowledge, development of skills, and exemplary service to the development of the country. In recognition of their contributions to UP Diliman, the most outstanding members of the REPS are given the Gawad Chanselor, one of the University's most prestigious awards.

As an academic staff, Dr. Punzalan was noted for her contribution not only to the growth of NISMED as an institute but for her service to the country as well. She had been in the frontline in the promotion of Lesson Study as a professional development model to enhance the teaching capacities of public and private, tertiary, secondary, and elementary school science teachers. She was also a strong advocate of the mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) in the Philippines. As a commitment to work and professional growth to inspire teachers, she had shared lots of evidenced-based advantages of lesson study and MTB-MLE over the NISMED’s regular radio program, “Go” Teacher Go.” 

Dr. Punzalan also taught courses at the UP Open University (UPOU) on science education, chemistry education, and philosophy of education aside from being a regular adviser to doctoral students. She was also constantly tapped as co-adviser, and panel member of master’s and doctoral students at the UP College of Education.