ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- Youngsters are urged to take up science and technology degrees to beef up a “better” scientific community for national development.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr. noted the important advocacy of science education along with DOST scholarship grants.
“We are promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics, agriculture and everything related to science because it is very critical in nation building and wealth creation,” Solidum emphasized in a press conference.
He added that science scholarships are available from secondary level through the Philippine Science High School System, as well as DOST-Science Education Institute (SEI) undergraduate and graduate scholarships.
“You can get a master’s or Ph.D. degree for free if you are capable. You can get it here, but if expertise needed will be gained abroad and not available here, the DOST can send you to get your master’s or PHD degree abroad,” Solidum explained.
Solidum, who also serves as the Officer-in-Charge of DOST-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), led the recent inauguration of the first seismic station in Dueñas, Iloilo.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Provincial Science and Technology director Engr. Sheila Oberio underscored the scholarship privileges that science scholars enjoy.
Among these included tuition and other school fees, book and transportation allowance, monthly stipend, trainings, and others.
Moreover, undergraduate S&T scholars should enroll in accredited schools with specific priority courses like engineering and science-based degrees.
“We need to have stronger S&T in the countryside, particularly. Hindi lang sya dapat concentrated in the metropolitan areas,” Oberio said. (JBG/LML/PIA Iloilo)
