Some 400 graduating high school students attended the 1st S&T Scholarship Roadshow conducted by the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. IX (DOST-IX) last September 17-28, 2012. The lead science agency has covered over 30 municipalities in Region IX. This intervention was a way of bringing S&T services particularly scholarship grants, closer and accessible to far-flung municipalities without scholars for the past three years.
The S&T Scholarship Roadshow aims to promote and orient potential students who may qualify to avail the scholarships offered by DOST. According to Mr. Martin A. Wee, ARD for Technical Services of DOST-IX and over-all coordinator of S&T scholarship in Region IX, DOST offers two (2) types of scholarships for the undergraduate: the RA 7687 Scholarship, available to poor but talented students and the Merit Scholarship.
During the roadshow, DOST-IX has provided attendees with hands-on simulation of test battery, briefing on the test battery or PRIMER, and assessment of the result of the pre-test. Through this, students had a glimpse of the S&T Scholarship Examination set to be conducted nationwide on November 18, 2012.
In addition, DOST IX took the opportunity to deliver and distribute Scholarship forms to those who have expressed their intention to become scholars. Graduate scholars present in the event also gave their testimony / experience on the benefits and privileges received by them during the term of their scholarship.
Meanwhile, DOST-IX has also set the conduct of review sessions on math and sciences to students who have submitted their application forms and are qualified to take the S&T scholarship examination to further enhance the applicants’ skills and ability to pass the qualifying exam.
When qualified, among the privileges that DOST scholars will be receiving are tuition and other school fees up to P6,000/semester/term, monthly stipend of P5,000.00/month (for BS Physics/Applied Physics/Physics Teaching/Geology and Mining Engineering) and P4,000.00/month for other DOST-SEI priority courses, book allowance of P5,000/year, physical education uniform allowance, free transportation for one economy-class round trip fare between permanent residence and the place of study on reimbursement basis (for those studying outside their place of permanent residence), group health and accident insurance, additional privileges during summer, if required by the curriculum, and post-graduation clothing allowance.
Through this intervention, DOST Regional Office IX expects to produce more scholars and future S&T professionals in the Philippines. (DOST-IX Press Release)
