Dies Academicus 2009

Dies Academicus: Social Sciences, Artificial Intelligence and Multi-tasking

Last July 18, 2009, Kapuluan Study Center had its first Dies Academicus for the school year. Dies Academicus is an event that aims to gather professionals from different fields to share what they do to give the participants a fuller perspective in the unity and diversity of different work  to integrate into a true universitas experience.

Dies Academicus gathered three speakers: a BS holder, an MS holder and a Ph D holder. The first speaker was Isidro Garcia, a BS Social Science graduate and the head of Trinity Brokers Insurance company. He talked about his days in the university and how we searched for the right field. He said History and the Social Sciences was his passion because it gave him a direct dealing with people. Garcia shares that History is essential because its application will help one understand the reason why social events occur. Then, he talked about how he entered the insurance industry and his thrusts as a Rotarian. He pinpointed the active role of young people in shaping the future and that they should step up. He also stressed the need for awareness of the environment, as an inheritance to the next generation.

Mr. Tony Briza, an MS Computer Science holder, then shared his thoughts on artificial intelligence. One of the interesting points is how computer scientists pattern their programs on nature design. An interesting point, however, was that "artificial" still required purpose to function and this helps us see that nature also has an inherent purpose to it. How philosophical!

What a better way then to end the Dies Academicus, with Dr. Erik Santos talking on multi-tasking, university life and philosophy. He focused on keeping the end in mind and the need for us to re-align our goals to that one end in mind. He also shared his experiences as a student, the choice of being a biologist and a philosopher.

Dies Academicus capped off with an open forum with the three guests. Questions were raised as to how the youth can be more involved in helping the country. Practical points also were asked to the three speakers. Most of the participants learned a lot about how these three seemingly distant fields integrated into one.

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Text and photos by Jerico R. Santos