UP Chemical Engineering Society, Inc.
| UP Chemical Engineering Society, Inc. | |
 | |
| Established | August 26, 1954 |
|---|---|
| Motto | Academic Excellence and Holistic Development |
| Type | Socio-Academic |
| Location | 3/F Lobby, Melchor Hall, College of Engineering, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City |
| Affiliations | Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers - Junior Chapter Luzon (PIChE-JCL) and Philippine Association of Chemistry Students, Inc. (PACS, Inc.) |
| Website | http://upkem.org/ |
| Contact Us | ec@upkem.org |
History and Legacy
Established in 1954, the University of the Philippines Chemical Engineering Society, Inc., or more popularly known as UP KEM, is one of the largest socio-academic organizations recognized by the university. Awarded as the Best Organization by the Engineering Organization Excellence Award (EOEA) in 2009, 2011, and 2012, the Gawad Chanselor Para Sa Natatanging Samahan in 2014, the Best Society of 2014 by the Philippine Association of Chemistry Students, Inc. (PACS, Inc.), and the Best Chapter Organization of 2013 and 2015 by the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers - Junior Chapter Luzon (PIChE-JCL), UP KEM carries on its consistent tradition of academic excellence, holistic development and prime professionalism by participating in events beneficial to our members' growth as well as organizing events beneficial to students and professionals and to the university and society.
With innovative minds and an impeccable brand of leadership, UP KEM has made itself known by organizing big-time events. AWITAN, a university-wide Christmas choral competition that started in 1965, has been one of the organization’s most prestigious events, annually attended by several organizations. The Students' National Chemical Engineering Conference (sNCEC), going in its 6th year, has grown from a single event, now having five sub-events: the National Chemical Engineering Symposium (NaChES), a seminar and workshop series about the recent trends and developments in the field of chemical engineering; the Students' Chemical Engineering Networking Event (SCENE), a night for students and corporate and academe representatives to meet and converse over a formal dinner; the Research Grant (ReGrant), an event aiming to fund the best undergraduate research proposals all over the country; the Inter-University Quiz Show (Inter-U), a venue for the brightest chemical engineering students to battle it out in a friendly competition; and the Chemical Engineering Campus Challenge Series (ChaSE), an interactive event where participants apply the theories and concepts they learned in real-life applications.
Aside from AWITAN and sNCEC, the organization gives back to the community and society through KEM Gives Back (KGB) and Project C++: ChEck Marks The Spot (CMTS). Just this year, KGB Kids was organized for the benefit of the children of Barangay UP Campus. Learning sessions, games and food were prepared for the children over the course of several weekends. Project C++, meanwhile, benefits high school students all over the country. With four sub-events, Project C++ aids high school students through free college entrance exams review sessions, laboratory tutorials and renovations, and a career caravan about chemical engineering as a course.
With 60 years of existence, UP KEM is currently home to about 200 members and has produced over 1,400 alumni. In line with its traditions, the organization has successfully molded many of its members into well-rounded individuals and achievers. Currently, there are more than 30 student leaders of different organizations in and out of the university, who are members of UP KEM, such as incumbent USC Councilor Bryle Leano and PIChE-JCL's first Executive Vice President Vicky Abagon. Our alumni have also succeeded in their different endeavors. Engr. Karl Pilario was recently awarded the 2015 Limcaoco Instructor Award for Teaching Excellence, while the UP Department of Chemical Engineering Chair, Dr. Rizalinda de Leon was awarded the 2015 Most Outstanding Engineering Researcher, Gawad Chanselor sa Natatanging Guro and Outstanding Chemical Engineer for Research and Development 2015. UP KEM also has several distinguished alumni such as Sir Fortunato dela Pena, the current DOST Undersecretary and Ms. Alice Herrera, the current President of the UP Alumni Association in Toronto, Canada.
With over 60 years of excellence, the organization has continuously been awarded by different organizations for its successes. UP KEM is one of the only two organizations that have won the Engineering Week Over-all Champion (1992, 1994, 1999). Last February, UP KEM dominated OlymPACS winning the championship title as well as numerous minor awards. sNCEC 2014 was awarded the Outstanding Service Project to the University by the Engineering Organization Excellence Awards (EOEA), the Best Academic/Research Development Project by PIChE-JCL and the Best Academic Project by PACS, Inc.
UP KEM truly continues to set its standards higher and higher every year, while maintaining its status as the premier chemical engineering organization in the country.
KEM's 5P's
PURPOSE TO LIVE FOR
A KEMer’s goal is to excel in all aspects of life, be it academic or social for it is with holistic development that a person actually grows.
PEOPLE TO LIVE WITH
KEM aims to become a home for all chemical engineers of any social group or class. In diversity we find unity. In unity, we find glory.
PRINCIPLES TO LIVE BY
KEM achieves victory by hard work, dedication and most of all, honesty. We fight a good, clean fight. We run the race and we finish it.
PROFESSION TO LIVE OUT
KEM’s influence on its members is not limited to academics. It instills strength within all KEMers, manifesting even after they leave the university. KEMers continue to shine endlessly, never fading and never outshone.
POWER TO LIVE ON
Given this unique power, KEMers continue to show their prowess to all corners of the College of Engineering – never ceasing to dream and never stopping to make those dreams a reality.
Standing Committees
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is tasked with strengthening the internal affairs of the organization, implementing the application process, and evaluating the progress of aspiring applicants. It also assists in all social and recreational activities, ensuring that camaraderie and good working relations are established within the organization. It is composed of the most active members of the organization who also belong to other committees, making it the most diverse committee in KEM. True to the ideals of UP KEM, the Membership Committee sees to it that all members of the organization abide by the rules, fulfill their responsibilities, and most importantly, finds a family to cherish in KEM.
Finance and Marketing Committee
The Finance and Marketing Committee takes charge of the organization’s finance and corporate affairs. Its members come up with innovative income generating projects to ensure that each event is well-funded. The committee also ensures that the finances of the organization are accounted for and managed. Aside from this, the committee reaches out to corporate establishments, institutions, and other organizations in order to establish connections and partnerships that will be beneficial to KEM and its stakeholders.
Publicity and Creatives Committee
The Publicity and Creatives Committee is in charge of maintaining KEM’s reputable image and its high-caliber brand of excellence that is recognized not only in the university, but throughout the country. Tasked with creating the distinct KEM brand, the committee oversees all the publications and information dissemination campaigns of the organization and its events. It also takes charge of the different media accounts of the organization, the domicile’s information board, as well as the UP KEM website. Its members supervise the branding of KEM’s endeavors in order to ensure that all publicity materials are always of superior quality.
Ways and Means Committee
The Ways and Means (WAM) Committee takes charge of the organization’s logistics, merchandise, and domicile. Its members are actively involved in KEM’s internal events as logistics team heads, where they make sure all logistics requirements of the organization are provided for. The committee also ensures cleanliness and orderliness of the organization’s official domicile. They also secure all property and supplies of the organization. The members also contribute to the procurement and distribution of KEM merchandise through the UP KEM Online Shop (kosh).
Educational Affairs Committee
The Educational Affairs Committee promotes academic excellence both within and outside of the organization. This is done by holding year-round events such as tutorials and by having a built-in library within the domicile. In addition, the committee also provides review materials and modules for the benefit of its members. The committee also dedicates its time and effort to the community by spearheading events that advocate science and technology to high school students through Check Marks The Spot (CMTS). It also fosters good ties between the students and the faculty of the Chemical Engineering Department by conducting the annual Student-Teacher Dialogue.
Socio-Cultural Affairs and Recreations Committee
The Socio-Cultural Affairs and Recreations Committee manages both the socio-civic and sports events of the organization. The committee aims to develop and refine the skills and talents of every KEMer through training sessions and recreational events. It also promotes health awareness and the well-being of the members through information campaigns and regular sports activities. Its members take pride in nurturing talented individuals who excel in socio-cultural and sports competitions both inside and outside the college.
Executive Council 2017-2018
President: Alexander P. Roxas (13B)
Executive Vice President: President: Rans Miguel N. Lintag (13B)
Executive Secretary: John Frederick R. Imperial (13B)
Vice President for Membership: Gian Carlo C. Aguila (13B)
Vice President for Finance and Marketing: Aelen Blessel C. Ducao (13B)
Vice President for Publicity and Creatives: Sweet Hazel T. Aquino (13B)
Vice President for Ways and Means: Dorothy Joy Q. Ytac (13B)
Vice President for Educational Affairs: Marc Alec Dominic O. Yau (13B)
Vice President for Socio-Cultural Affairs and Recreations: Gabriel C. Ranola (13B)
Awards and Recognition
| Award | Award Giving Body | Date |
| Engineering Organization Excellence Awards (EOEA) Champion | UP ARISE | 2011, 2012, 2017 |
| Parangal sa Samahang Mag-aaral | UP OVCSA | 2016, 2017 |
| Best Chapter Organization | PIChE-JCL | 2015, 2016, 2017 |