DOST-Siquijor names ten science scholars

SIQUIJOR, April 15 (PIA) -- At least ten high school students from Siquijor province have qualified for the Science Education Institute (SEI) scholarships for SY 2012-2013 from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). 

This was bared earlier by DOST-Siquijor Provincial Director Mario E. De la Pena who said that this is the first time that Siquijor received the highest number of qualifiers and that all six towns are represented. 

The qualifiers are Zaidy Martin of San Antonio High School; Sugar Kenn Atay, Saturnino Banting Jr., Lovely Pearl Cenas, and Stiffany Jane Tumapon of Siquijor Provincial High School; Steven Sunogan of the Lazi National Agricultural School; and Krystyl Tedlos of Enrique Villanueva National High School. 

The three others who qualified are studying at the Sisters of Mary School Boystown in Cebu but hail from Siquijor. They are Alamid Edayan from Bonga, Maria; Jherold Adam Magsanay from Tacloban, Siquijor; and Vilmar Vicoy from Canlambo, Larena, Siquijor. 

A total of 3,400 high school students nationwide have qualified for this year’s the DOST SEI scholarship. 

The new science and technology scholars under the RA 7687 Scholarship Program will receive subsidies on tuition fee and other school fees as well as book allowance, monthly living allowance for a 10-to-11 month duration every year and more. 

RA 7687 or the the Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994 was created in order for the government to offer scholarships in various technology areas for talented and deserving high school graduates through DOST-SEI. 

DOST-SEI scholars receive the same benefits as the RA 7687 scholars except for a pro-rated monthly stipend depending on the family's socio- economic status. 

Through the annual DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Programs, talented and deserving high school graduates are given opportunities to pursue four-or-five-year baccalaureate degrees in priority science and technology fields. 

Qualifiers can enroll in state universities and other higher education institutions recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development. 

Priority sciences in which the scholars can enroll are in the fields of Agriculture, Agricultural Biotechnology; Agricultural Chemistry; Agricultural Engineering; Applied Mathematics; Applied Physics; Biochemistry; Biology; Ceramics Engineering; Chemistry w/ Applied Comp. System; Chemistry w/ Materials Science and Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Civil Engineering; Computer Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical Engineering; Electronics and Communications Engineering; Environmental Science; Fisheries; Food Technology; Forestry; Geology; Geodetic Engineering; Geological Science and Engineering; Industrial Engineering; Information Technology; Manufacturing Engineering; Materials Engineering; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Metallurgical Engineering; Mining Engineering; Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; Physics; Physics with Applied Computer System; Physics with Materials Science and Engineering; Science/Mathematics Teaching and Statistics. 

The scholarship is DOST's commitment to uphold the pledge of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III to support the expansion of scholarships granted to outstanding yet underprivileged students. 

DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo said this year's scholarship qualifiers will add to the pool of highly qualified scientists and engineers who will take active participation and leadership roles especially in science and technology and Research and Development (R&D) activities. 

"The Department shall always grant scholarships to deserving students who embrace excellence along their chosen fields of specialization," Sec. Montejo said. 

SEI Director Filma G. Brawner is confident that the "Iskolars ng Bayan" will someday use the talents and skills they acquired for the development of the country. 

The scholars are obliged to render service in the country after completion of their programs of study for a duration equivalent to the period of scholarship. (rmn/RACalibo with reports from DOST-SEI)