DOST targets more science scholars with Push4Science: Maging DOST Scholar Ka!

This is a press release from the Department of Science and Technology.

The Department of Science and Technology’s Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) is pulling out all stops to increase the number of science scholars in the country, pushing for its “one scholar per municipality” target” to achieve this. 

Through its program dubbed “Push4Science: Maging DOST Scholar Ka!” DOST hopes to get more scholarship applicants from 71 identified municipalities, including those in far-flung areas, and maintain a wave of high-quality human resources that will continue to carry the country’s science and technology activities.

Since February 2014, the Push4Science Team has been on scholarship caravans in target municipalities, including Banayoyo in Ilocos Sur. The campaign has reached Baras in Catanduanes; Burgos, San Benito, and San Isidro in Siargao Island; Adams and Dumalneg in Ilocos Norte; and Burgos, Quirino, San Emilio, and Sugpon in Ilocos Sur.

“We really have to go there and talk to high school students from these municipalities so we can inspire them in science and convince them to pick science as field of study and do so by being DOST Scholars,” said DOST-SEI director Jossette Biyo.

The caravan will next go to Abra, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Masbate, Palawan, Antique, Misamis Occidental, Davao Oriental, and Saranggani.

From 2010 to 2012, 329 municipalities recorded “zero” number of scholars. Seventy-one of these municipalities did not have a single applicant for the scholarship, possibly due to lack of awareness about the program, and reasons related to geography and demographics.

“Providing a vehicle for the submission of application forms and during the examination day is already a huge gesture of belief from the local leaders that their kids can make it as DOST Scholars,” Biyo said. “That will help us achieve our goal not just of having applicants and scholars but ultimately of developing scientists and engineers in these areas.”

For more about “Push4Science: Maging DOST Scholar Ka!” and SEI’s scholarship program, visit the 2014 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration from July 24-28 July at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. NSTW is an annual event by DOST featuring interactive exhibits, fora, networking sessions, inventions, and other local science and technology breakthroughs in various sectors. Admission is free. – Rappler.com