DOST honors 353 scholar graduates

by Lyndon Plantilla

Manila (30 July) — The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute recently honored 353 scholar graduates who graduated in their programs in college and post-graduate degrees for school year 2008-2009.

At the “In Touch with Excellence” awarding ceremonies held at the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel, Makati City, the scholar-graduates were awarded medals for their outstanding performance on the course of their study.

Under the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship, the precursor of all S&T scholarships of DOST, 16 scholars graduated magna cum laude, 29 cum laude and three honorable mention. In the Republic Act 7687 Scholarship Program, five scholars finished summa cum laude, 20 magna cum laude, 111 cum laude, and three with honors. RA 7687 or the Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994 aims to strengthen the science and technology human resource program of the government by granting financial assistance to poor but talented students to intend to pursue priority courses in science and technology.

Three scholars also graduated before the prescribed period of study and as an incentive, the stipends for the remaining semesters will be released to the scholar and the duration of his/her service obligation would be equivalent to the number of years he/she completed the course.

Under the Junior Level Science Scholarship Program, nine graduated magna cum laude, 47 cum laude and one academic distinction. This scholarship program is offered to qualified regular third year college students who are enrolled in the priority courses in the basic sciences, engineering, and other applied sciences in any of the DOST-SEI network of higher education institutions.

In the Project 2004-01 Ed USC Cooperative program, three graduated with honors. This scholarship program is offered to qualified Physics students enrolled at the University of San Carlos in Cebu.

One graduated cum laude under the Junior Level Scholarships for Physics Teaching given for those enrolled in the Regional Science Teaching Centers. Scholars under this program are incoming third year BSE Physics students enrolled in DOST-SEI recommended schools.

Three scholars of the Grant for Educational Assistance for Technology and Science Teaching Courses in Mindanao (GREAT-M) graduated with honors. The GREAT-M project is open to poor, talented and deserving youths from the Muslim and indigenous communities who are 20 years old or below and whose socio-economic status meet the criteria for the grant.

Under the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology through the DOST Accelerated S&T Human Resource Development (ASTHRD) Program, one scholar graduated magna cum laude. The ASHTRD Program is a unified and innovative human resource program aimed at accelerating the production of high level human resources by awarding MS and PhD scholarship grants to eligible individuals who will fill in the gaps of identified areas of science and technology. DOST also honored, in the ceremony, scholars in the MS and PhD programs who have completed their course.

Speaking at the awarding ceremony, DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro prodded the students to continue the path of excellence that they have started.

“I hope that our students maintain this excellence in everything they do in whatever path they choose to take or make. A culture of science and technology should be matched with a culture of excellence and innovation,” she said.

For her part, SEI Director Dr. Ester B. Ogena said she is confident that DOST scholars would be able to give back to the Filipino people more than what they have invested on them.

“The future of the Philippines is now upon your hands and we are confident that you would be able to give back to the millions of Filipinos that helped you through your college life. They depend on you,” she said. (PIA)