BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — To build a strong science, technology and innovation (STI) culture for the country, the Department of Science and Technology continues to develop human resources through its scholarship programs.
DOST Cordillera Regional Director Nancy Bantog reported that under the STI Human Resource Management and Development of DOST, there are 738 qualified scholars from 2022 to 2024. There are 571 qualifiers under the Undergraduate Scholarship offered to poor but deserving students, and 167 qualified under the Junior Level Science Scholarship that is open to incoming third year college students enrolled in any of DOST’s identified priority S&T courses.
The scholars are distributed across programs as provided under Republic Act 7687(Science and Technology Scholarship Act) and RA 10612 (Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013).
Bantog said that the scholarship programs are focused on producing a highly educated and competent pool of professionals in the fields of science and engineering, bringing about the needed human resources to drive scientific and technological innovations nationwide.
“As of the latest data of DOST-CAR, they are currently monitoring a total of 1,543 scholars. Notably, 438 of these scholars are homegrown talents from CAR distributed across the region’s six provinces and the City of Baguio,” she said.
Bantog also shared that in 2023, 43 indigenous persons in the region qualified for the Bringing Education in Science and Technology for Indigenous Peoples or BEST for IP program. They were among the 216 qualifiers for the Undergraduate Scholarship Program in the region.
Abra and Benguet have nine IP scholars each, Ifugao with eight, Kalinga and Mountain Province with six each, Apayao has four and one from Baguio City.
This initiative supports top performing IP examinees, selecting candidates based on their community membership and aptitude in science and technology.
Meanwhile, Philippines Science High School Executive Director Dr. Ronali Orteza expounded on PSHS commitment to develop future leaders in the field of science, mathematics and engineering.
“We are preparing the students of the PSH to be our future scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technology professionals someday. Nag iinvest po ang gobyerno para maparami po ang bilang ng scientist, mathematicians, engineers na sana ay tutulong po sa pag-unlad (ng ating bansa),” she said.
The PSHS-CAR campus in Baguio City is the 13th campus under the DOST. Its curriculum focuses on science and mathematics, or the STEM careers.
Currently, PSHS-CAR has 522 enrolled students, 249 male and 273 female. Of the 522 students, 70% or 364 are from CAR.
Since 2013, 811 students have already graduated from the PSHS-CAR. (JDP/CCD with Arnmari Dela Cruz-PIA CAR-SLU Intern)
