Photo: (L-R) Consul Princess Tomas-Tayao, Ms. Christine Fajardo of Novartis, and Ambassador Joselito Jimeno 

12 July 2017 – Ambassador Joselito Jimeno met with Ms. Christine Fajardo, Asia Cluster Communications and Patient Relations Lead and Philippine Country Public Affairs and Communications Head of Novartis at the Philippine Embassy in Berne.

Ms. Fajardo was visiting Switzerland in July 2017 in relation to Novartis Pharmaceuticals’ Next Generation Scientists Program, a mentorship program in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. She provided Amb. Jimeno with an update on the program, including the mentorship’ graduation ceremonies to be held in August in Basel where Associate Professor Mario Tan, PhD, Chair of the Department of Chemistry of the College of Science, will graduate as 2016 Novartis Next Generation Scientist Program Fellow.

Ambassador Jimeno commended the program for its continuing effort to enhance the knowledge of Filipino scientists, and noted that such effort also contributes to the collaboration and networking needed by Filipino scientists.

The Next Generation Scientists Program is designed to enhance the scientific and professional development of Filipino scientists in broad range of therapeutic areas such as oncology and neuroscience. It is undertaken by Novartis with the University of Basel. Information on the program can be accessed through the http://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/5843-call-for-application-next-generation-scientist-program. END