CLSU professor wins best paper award in Malaysia

A PROFESSOR of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) emerged as the recipient of the Best Paper Award for his research on the environmental and technological implications of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Asst. Prof. Resty Ruel Borjal received the award during the 22nd Asian Bioethics Conference and Roundtable Discussion on Global Health Security at the International Medical University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 17, 2023, said Zorille Villaflores of CLSU Strategic Communication Office.

The CLSU College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) mentor, whose research “Changes Generated by Covid-19: Environmental Issues and Technological Challenges,” stood out among the many submissions and was recognized for its significant contribution to the field of bioethics.

Villaflores said Borjal’s study delved into the wide-ranging consequences of the pandemic on environmental sustainability and the emergence of novel technological demands.

She said the award-winning paper highlighted the “unforeseen environmental transformations resulting from Covid-19, including shifts in energy consumption patterns, alterations in waste management practices and changes in human behaviors impacting ecosystems.”

It also highlighted the “increased reliance on technology during the pandemic, exploring ethical questions arising from the rapid adoption of remote work, telemedicine and digital surveillance measures,” Villaflores added.

Anchored on the theme “Challenge to Bioethics and Public Health in the Era of Pandemic,” the conference saw the convergence of scholars, civil society representatives, bureaucrats and students from the bioethics community across the Asia-Pacific region.

The event was organized by the Asian Bioethics Association (ABA) — an organization dedicated to promoting bioethics in Asia and beyond — which fosters dialogue and research on pressing ethical challenges related to health, technology and society through conferences, publications and collaborative initiatives.

Delegates from 16 countries participated in discussions that explored complex ethical issues encompassing the well-being of the human race, other species and the environment.