LOS BAÑOS, Laguna (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Calabarzon believes that the department’s scholarship programs can be expanded further to provide additional services and benefits for their scholars.
DOST Quezon provincial director Maria Esperanza Jawili acknowledges the wide implementation of the program, but she believes that it can be further expanded to cater to more deserving students.
“The DOST scholarship programs are already wide-ranging. However, they still need to be expanded because we see that there are even greater benefits that our current and future scholars can receive through this program.”
Jawili cites the positive effects of providing educational support to students who come from poor families in further developing their livelihoods.
“[DOST scholarship] is a big help because it supports many children, especially those from poor families, in overcoming poverty. We believe that if at least one child in a family can graduate from college, it will already be a significant help to the family. Especially if the applicants or children are truly intelligent,” the director adds.
Some students, however, still find it hard to complete their requirements on time. The science department made note of this and adjusted their processes.
“There are limitations when it comes to the documentary requirements of our students [and] those issues are gradually being addressed. Students are now allowed to take the exam even if they still lack some requirements. What the DOST-SCI and the DOST system are doing is allowing them to take the exam first, and if they passed, that’s when we require them to submit the necessary documents to qualify as awardees.”
Data released by DOST Calabarzon said that there are 4,071 scholars under the Republic Act No. 7687 or the Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994; 2,755 scholars under the Republic Act No. 2067 or the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship Program; and 177 scholars under the Republic Act No. 10612 or the Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013.
The scholarship programs of DOST aim to encourage Filipino youths to pursue productive careers in science and technology including basic sciences, engineering, other applied sciences, and science and mathematics teaching.
After graduation, scholars are obligated to stay in the Philippines and work in science and technology sectors to ensure a steady, adequate supply of qualified S&T human resources which can steer the country towards improved competency and national progress. (CH/PIA-Laguna)
