by Rudy P. Parel Jr. and Patricia Lei Amanda I. Aliño
The Department of Science and Technology-CALABARZON (DOST-CALABARZON) conducted its 2019 DOST-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS) Orientation and Contract Signing on January 30, 2020, at the DOST-CALABARZON Regional Office in Los Baños, Laguna.
Present during the event were 23 out of the 25 qualifiers from Region IV-A.
2019 DOST-SEI JLSS qualifiers and their parents and guardians listen to Cleofe Austria, science research specialist at the DOST Region IV-A as she discuss the scholars’ obligations. Photo by Rudy Parel Jr.
All over the country, a total of 369 students qualified for the JLSS. Each of them stands to benefit from one of three scholarship grants offered by DOST, namely:
- RA 7687 or the “Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994” which provides financial benefits to poor but deserving students who are pursuing science and technology (S&T courses);
- RA 2067 (Merit Scholarship Program) which recognizes students who excel in math and science and are willing to pursue careers in S&T; and
- RA 10612 or “Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013” which aims to strengthen the country’s S&T education by providing support to students taking up science, technology, and engineering courses and who will later teach science and mathematics in secondary schools in the Philippines
Of the 25 scholars from Calabarzon, 13 are under RA 7687, four are under RA 2067, and eight are under RA 10612.
For the first two grants, the duration of the scholarship is 4 -5 years. On the other hand, the Junior Level Scholarship under 10612 will last for 2 to 3 years.
The DOST Scholarship privileges include the following: 1) financial assistance on tuition and other school fees amounting to Php 10,000/semester or Php 8,000/trimester; 2) book allowance amounting to Php 10,000/year; 3) one economy round trip fare in every academic year for those studying outside of their home province; and 4) clothing allowance for the Physical Education uniform amounting to Php 1,000 during the first semester of the freshman year.
A DOST scholar is allowed to acquire a private scholarship grant that may be given by the college/university enrolled in provided that it will not in any way conflict with the scholar’s contractual obligations with DOST-SEI.
Qualifiers of the 2019 DOST-SEI JLSS take their oath as scholars under the grant covered by RA 10612. Photo by Rudy Parel Jr.
Abegail Agnote, a 20-year-old BS Industrial Engineering student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Batangas campus, said that the scholarship grant could help her parents meet her education-related expenses. Samelyn Intong, a 29-year-old Bachelor of Secondary Education student from the Cavite State University Indang campus, likewise said that the grant is a big help specially because her mother’s salary is inadequate for all of their family’s needs.
“Malaki ang natutulong ng DOST-SEI Scholarship para sa anak ko ngayon kasi bilang solo parent at private school teacher, mababa lang naman ang sinasahod namin,” said Robelita Domingo, a 41-year-old private school teacher and parent from Sorsogon. (“DOST-SEI Scholarship offers a big contribution to my child because as a single parent and a private school teacher, we only receive a small income.”)
A 2019 DOST-SEI JLSS qualifier, together with his father, completes the scholarship contract under the RA 10612. Photo by Rudy Parel Jr.
According to Cleofe Austria, science research specialist at the SEI, DOST scholars are said to be the “cream of the crop” because they excel in their own fields of studies.
“Kapag nag apply ka ng trabaho syempre may edge, malaking edge… ibig sabihin ‘pag DOST scholar ka, magaling ka,” she said. (“When you apply for a job, of course you have an edge… it means when one is a DOST scholar, they are skilled.”)
She added that JLSS qualifiers need to focus on their studies to retain their scholarship benefits. To aspirants and future applicants, her advice is for them to maintain high grades.
For further information regarding DOST-SEI’s Scholarship Program, visit their official website or contact the DOST CALABARZON Scholarship Unit through the following:
- Contact Number: (049) 536-4894
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/calabarzon.scholars
References:
http://www.sei.dost.gov.ph/index.php/10-pap/papscholarships/133-merit-scholarship