MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has increased further the monthly stipend for government post-graduate scholars pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies.
Josette Biyo, DOST Science Education Institute executive director, said that starting school year 2017-2018, the monthly stipend for government scholars pursuing master in science (MS) degrees and doctorate in science, has been increased to P25,000 from P20,000, and P33,000 from P28,000, respectively.
The increase in monthly stipend follows an increase in the stipend last school year from P17,000 to 20,000 for MS scholars, and P20,000 to P28,000.
“We do this to encourage them to graduate on time,” Biyo told The STAR in an interview at the National Science and Technology Week celebrations at the World Trade Center in Pasay City the other week.
Biyo said that the DOST was also determined to have a critical mass of scientists and engineers that will be the brain trust needed by the Philippines as it seeks to attain sustainable inclusive economic growth.
“We still need a critical mass of science technologists and engineers. Based on one UNESCO study, for a country to attain sustainable economic development, it should have 380 per million population of scientists and engineers,” Biyo said.
“Based on the latest data of DOST, we are now at 270 per million. So there’s still that gap of 110,” Biyo said.
“We want to close that gap,” Biyo said.