Has the COVID-19 pandemic dampened your spirits? If you took the 2020 Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Undergraduate Scholarship Examination last year, you just might have a reason to celebrate.
DOST-SEI just announced that 9,788 graduating senior high school students qualified for two of the Philippines’ premier science scholarship programs.
5,917 examinees qualified as scholars under the RA 7687 Scholarship Program for academically gifted students from financially disadvantaged families.
Meanwhile, 3,871 qualified under the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship Program, offered to students with high aptitude in science and mathematics who plan to pursue a career in STEM.
Record-breaking turnout
A staggering 102,526 applicants took the exam on October 20, 2019, in 347 test centers across the country.
“This scholarship program is certainly a package of opportunities as qualifiers, especially those who are underprivileged, will get to continue their education in leading universities and colleges,” said DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo in an official statement.
“We are hopeful that they – 4 or 5 years from now – will undertake productive efforts in the areas of research and development, industry and innovation, and S&T services.”
Scholars under the program will receive a monthly PHP 7,000 stipend, tuition subsidy (up to ₱40,000 per academic year, for those enrolled in private universities and colleges), book and MS/PE clothing allowance (one-time), an annual economy-class round trip (for those studying outside of their home province), outright thesis allowance, and group accident insurance.
Qualifiers must pursue a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program in any of the priority fields of study. They must enroll at a state university, state college, or any private higher education institution recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as a Center of Excellence or Center of Development, or with FAAP Level III accreditation for the BS program they intend to enroll in.
Young Pinoy ‘ambassadors of science’
After graduation, DOST-SEI scholars must render service in the country along their fields of specialization. This will last for a period equivalent to the number of scholarship years they availed.
Dr. Biyo believes that the DOST-SEI scholarship programs bolster the PH workforce, while empowering responsible citizens to use science in their daily lives. “Now more than ever, we need young people to serve as ambassadors of science, as the issues we face in terms of natural disasters, health pandemics, and others rely on sound scientific information to make better decisions for the public good.”
Want to know if you qualified? Check out the full list below, posted on DOST-SEI’s Facebook page:
CONGRATULATIONS sa mga bagong iskolar ng agham at teknolohiya!
Pumasa man o hindi, WE ARE VERY PROUD OF EVERYONE who…
Posted by Science Education Institute – Department of Science and Technology on Saturday, March 28, 2020
You may view the list of priority S&T programs here.
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Author: Mikael Angelo Francisco
Bitten by the science writing bug, Mikael has years of writing and editorial experience under his belt. As the editor-in-chief of FlipScience, Mikael has sworn to help make science more fun and interesting for geeky readers and casual audiences alike.
