Home

Qualified D.O.S.T. scholars at all-time high with 8,994 new S&T scholars

April 8, 2018

science02-040818 — In Photo: Dr. Nestor Acala, former DOST -SE I scholar, speaks at the recent 30th anniversary of the Science Education Institute. He left much of the audience teary-eyed as he shared his struggles as a student from a poor family in Marawi City and the transformation his life had with the scholarship program. He now teaches at the Mindanao State University-Marawi.

This coming school year will have the highest number of aspiring scientists and engineers who qualified as college scholars of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI). The country’s premier science scholarship programs back after a two-year hiatus due to the implementation of the K to 12 curriculum, will have 8,994 qualified for the Republic Act 7687 and Merit scholarship programs.

It’s a record-breaking year for DOST-SEI as the number of qualified students reached the highest mark since the scholarship program started in 1958, surpassing 2015’s 5,303 qualifiers by 69.60 percent.

Out of the total number of passers, 5,172 qualified as scholars under the RA 7687 Scholarship Program for gifted students who belong to economically disadvantaged families; while 3,822 passed under the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship Program .

The 2018 DOST-SEI Scholarships Examination, which was held on October 15, 2017, in 216 test centers nationwide, recorded the highest number of examinees with 46,434 students.

Municipalities and congressional districts covered by the DOST-SEI Scholarship Program also increased from 1,568 in 2015 to 1,609 this year, representing 97 percent of the country’s total number of municipalities and congressional districts.

The new science and technology (S&T) scholars, as well as the ongoing scholars, will be enjoying the new stipend rate at P7,000 a month across all disciplines.

They are also entitled to tuition subsidy; book allowance; MS/PE clothing allowance; one economy-class roundtrip fare per year for those studying outside of their home province; and group accident insurance.

Science Secretary Fortunato de la T. Peña said the increase in number of DOST scholars is not only favorable to the qualifiers and their families but also to the country, where more S&T professionals are needed in addressing a number of national concerns.

“A few years from now, these students will become key players in the country’s development,” de la Peña said. “We hope that the DOST scholarship programs can help them pursue their dreams in the S&T field of their choice.”

The scholarship qualifiers must enroll in any of the University of the Philippines campus; or in state universities and colleges; or private higher education institutions recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development; or with Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines Level III accreditation for the S&T priority programs they will enroll in.

The list of priority S&T programs can be found in the SEI web site.

Dr. Josette T. Biyo, DOST-SEI director, said the scholarship programs are particularly structured for potential science and mathematics professionals. The DOST scholarship will provide greater opportunity as they pursue their science degrees and careers.

DOST-SEI scholars are required to render service in the country preferably along their fields of specialization after graduation for a period equivalent to the number of years they enjoyed the scholarship as a return service.

SEI maintains its resolve that this strategy allows the country’s industries to have “the best minds” to do their services and products.

“The DOST scholarship has always been geared toward using S&T to serve the Filipino people,” Biyo said. “We hope our new qualifiers would take on that challenge as early as now.” S&T News Service

Image Credits: SEI Photo

DOST to put up S&T kiosks in DTI ‘Negosyo Centers’ nationwide

MANILA — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will provide Science and Technology (S&T) nooks and kiosks to the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Negosyo Centers nationwide.

This is part of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between DTI and DOST on Thursday to help boost the opportunities and capabilities of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“Innovation is the only way to grow,” DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said, adding the DTI wants to mold smarter entrepreneurs.

The DOST’s nooks and kiosks contain several S&T-related knowledge and promotional materials and services of the DOST. One content is the OneStore, a website where MSMEs’ products are displayed and can be purchased.

It also contains the OneExpert, a website where anyone can chat with and consult S&T experts.

“The contents are actually available online. The DOST provides this kiosk so that those who don’t have internet access can still have the opportunity to learn and discover different S&T-related matters and learn about the DOST’s services,” Lopez said.

DTI Negosyo Centers were designed to assist MSMEs on their business-related concerns and to also assist potential entrepreneurs.

As of March 2018, the DTI has put up 816 Negosyo Centers across the country – 404 in Luzon, 199 in Visayas, and 213 in Mindanao.

DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute Director Richard Burgos told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the DTI would shoulder the budget to procure the equipment for the nooks. DOST will be in charge of the content.

Burgos added that there is no timeline yet as to when the DOST could provide the nooks to all the Negosyo Centers.

“We are still waiting for the plan or proposal from the DTI,” he said.

“Collaboration is key to address even the most pressing challenges,” said DOST Undersecretary Brenda Manzano during the MOA signing.

DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, for his part, said the agency is partnering with different institutions, industries, and other government agencies to further boost innovation and developments in the country. (Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA)

Training on forest products held in remote communities

By: Apple Jean Martin-de Leon / S&T News Service

April 15, 2018

It was a long 13-hour ride from Los Baños, Laguna, to the mountainous Kalinga province in the north of Luzon. Ordinary people would have easily been discouraged by the rugged and steep terrain going to Barangay Balbalasang in Balbalan town, but for the Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) team, it was part of their commitment to make the institute’s technologies accessible to far-flung communities.

The four-day training on bamboo craft processing and basic finishing in February was joined in by farmers, students, housewives, local government workers and entrepreneurs.

It was designed to improve the participants’ skills in making crafts out of bamboo—a raw material they have yet to use.

DOST-FPRDI experts Engr. Victor G. Revilleza, Eduardo M. Atienza and Fernando M. Pesigan explained the proper selection and preparation of raw materials and demonstrated actual production of the handicrafts.

On the last day, the participants were taught how to apply colors and stains on finished items.

“As extension workers, it is our duty to bring our technologies to the intended users no matter how remote their areas may be,” noted Julian O. Roxas of the DOST-FPRDI’s Training and Manpower Development Services Section. The institute had 64 training in 2017. Roxas has been doing field work and training for 33 years now.

“Our work sometimes entails being away from our families for days or even weeks. There were times when we would get caught in the middle of a storm while on training, or would hike for hours, cross rivers or ride a boat just to give technical assistance. It is no simple task, but the warm welcome and gratefulness of the people we serve are more than enough motivation for us,” he added.

Turning 65 in October, Roxas said he will forever value the lessons from his more than three decades of extension work.

“I am confident that, with the younger batch of community and extension workers, the DOST-FPRDI will be able to assist and reach more forest-based groups and small enterprises.”