A total of 43 Grade 12 students enrolled in the different public and private senior high schools in Negros Oriental qualified as this year’s recipients of the Department of Science & Technology–Science Education Institute’s S&T Undergraduate Scholarships.
Dumaguete City has 13 qualifiers, Guihulngan City has nine scholars, while Bayawan City and Sibulan each has three qualifiers. Bindoy, Manjuyod, Sta. Catalina, and Tanjay City each logged two scholars this year. Canlaon City, La Libertad, Mabinay, San Jose, Siaton, Valencia, and Zamboanguita each has one DOST scholar.
DOST-Negros Oriental is scheduled to officially welcome the qualifiers in a virtual orientation seminar via Zoom on June 30 that will feature discussions on the provisions of the scholarship, its privileges, and the scholar’s duties and responsibilities.
“The DOST-SEI S&T Undergraduate Scholarships are given only to deserving students. We hope this year’s batch of scholars will continue the tradition of excellence shown by those who came before them. May they prove to be worthy of the government’s confidence in their intellectual abilities, mental toughness, and moral strength. After all, they will be the future pillars of our economy and society, especially in the domain of science, technology, and innovation,” said DOST Provincial S&T Director Atty. Gilbert Arbon.
Due to the pandemic, submission of scholarship application was done through the Electronic Scholarship Application System. The yearly examination for the DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarships was once again cancelled for the second time. DOST-SEI used alternative methods of identifying the qualifiers.
“DOST-SEI employed data analytics and proxy indicators. Again, this school year, one of the requirements in the selection of the qualifiers to the scholarship program was the applicant’s grades from Grade 9 to Grade 11”, said Marjorie Solon, DOST NegOr scholarship coordinator.
As DOST scholars, these students must enroll in any of the science and technology priority courses in any higher education institution recognized and accredited by the DOST-SEI.
Upon submission of proof of enrollment, the scholars will receive a P7,000 monthly stipend, P10,000 yearly book allowance, P1,000 uniform allowance on their first year, and accident insurance. Those who will study outside of their home province will be refunded for their economy-class round trip fare per school year.
Scholars who will pursue their bachelor’s degree in any accredited private HEI will enjoy P40,000 subsidy per school year for their tuition and other school fees. On their last year in college, the scholars will also receive P10,000 thesis allowance upon submission of required documents. Upon completion of their bachelor’s degree, they will also receive P1,000 graduation allowance.
The S&T Undergraduate Scholarships Program aims to entice talented Filipino youths to pursue lifetime productive careers in science and technology, and ensure a steady, adequate supply of qualified S&T human resources which can steer the country towards national progress. (Reinhold Jek Abing/DOST NegOr)
