DOST college scholarships tripled from 2010-2015

MANILA, Philippines - The number of slots for college scholarship grants offered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has more than tripled in five years.

According to the DOST’s Science Education Institute (SEI), the number of scholarship grantees rose from 1,250 in 2010 to 5,595 in 2015.

Science Secretary Mario Montejo said the provision of scholarships to bright but financially challenged young Filipinos was given priority by the department even as it pursues other projects.

“We’re also now preparing the groundwork for recruiting new partner universities and introducing innovations into the program for us to expand by 100 percent in 2017, on our way to meet the required critical number of scientists,” Montejo said in a keynote speech at a forum held during the recently concluded National Science and Technology Week.

Aside from college scholarships, DOST is also now producing annually an average of 350 Master’s and 35 doctorate graduates in priority science and engineering courses.

Montejo said the most critical component of the “science and technology ecosystem” is its human resources.

The event, held at the Philippine International Convention Center, feted around 239 DOST scholars in undergraduate, Master of Science and doctorate degree courses who achieved academic excellence in the school year 2014-2015.