Last 15 October 2022, the UPLB General Chemistry Alumni Association, Inc. (UCAAI) together with the Institute of Chemistry (IC) held the 12th UCAAI General Assembly and IC Alumni Homecoming with the theme “kimiKAPIHAN sa IC 3.0: UCAAI through the years, quo vadis?” via Zoom. There was a panel discussion on what the association has achieved through the years and what it can still do in the coming years, followed by the UCAAI business meeting.

The panelists were the UCAAI’s past presidents and the incumbent, namely Dr. William G. Padolina, Mr. Emmanuel A. Florido, Mrs. Lilia R. Molina, and Mr. Miko Lorenzo J. Belgado. At the start of the discussion, Dr. Padolina reminded everyone of the association’s responsibility in keeping the Institute of Chemistry a sustainable institution in terms of excellence and relevance. When the participants were asked about their expectations for the association, the responses revolved around collaboration, mentoring/professional support, and other opportunities to help IC. With these in mind, the panel proceeded by leveling off these expectations and identifying the existing problems or gaps that the association can focus on followed by their elaborate suggestions on improving the general productivity of chemists produced by the Institute. The discussion centered on improving the relationship with the IC alumni to make them more involved in the activities of the UCAAI, improve basic science education by partnering with nearby secondary high schools, and establish a niche in which the Institute will be known.

Overall, the kimiKAPIHAN sa IC 3.0 achieved its goal of setting a direction that the UCAAI can possibly take in the years to come.