Six, or 27.3 percent of the 22 new scholars of the Department of Sciene & Technology from Negros Oriental intend to enroll in the BS Geology course at the Negros Oriental State University this academic year in June.
The rest are distributed among eight other courses: BS Mechanical Engineering (four or 18.2 percent), BS Information Technology (three or 13.6 percent), BS Chemistry (three or 13.6 percent), BS Geodetic Engineering (two or 9.1 percent), BS Electrical Engineering (one or 4.5 percent), BS Education-Physics Teaching (one or 4.5 percent), BS Computer Science (one or 4.5 percent), and BS Computer Engineering (one or 4.5 percent).
The DOST-Science Education Institute has been promoting enrollment in certain top priority courses, such as BS Physics, BS Geology, and BS Mining Engineering. Scholars who choose any of these courses receive higher subsidies, i.e. P5,000 monthly allowance. Other scholars who opt for other courses get only P4,000 monthly allowance.
Scholars may study in a state university or college, or otherwise in a private academic institution if the courses are offered by a center of excellence or center of development. NORSU offers BS Geology but not BS Physics. Silliman University has a COD in Information Technology, a COD in Biology, and a COE in Teacher Education.
Two of the local scholars are enrolling in Silliman University — one in BSIT, and one in BS Education-Physics Teaching. The rest or 90 percent are going to study in NORSU.
However, they will all be joined by 10 scholars from other provinces, including six from Siquijor, two from Surigao del Norte, and two from Region 6.
A total of 32 DOST scholars are thus expected to study in NORSU and at SU. They are currently undergoing a 20-day Summer Orientation and Enrichment Program at NORSU. (Atty. Gilbert Arbon)
