21.5% increase of Region 12 passers in 2013 DOST-SEI Scholarship program noted By Perlita D. Changco COTABATO CITY, April 12 -- The Department of Science and Technology, Region 12 has noted a remarkable increase in the number of passers in its scholarship program for 2013 posting a 21.5% hike compared to that of last year. DOST 12 regional director Zenaida P. HR-Laidan said, 79 incoming college freshmen in Region XII have qualified to avail of the agency’s scholarship program for school year 2013-2014. Laidan said, of the total number of successful examinees, 70 met the criteria for the Science and Techonology Scholarship program under Republic Act 7687 while the other nine have qualified for the Merit Scholarship Award. DOST conducted the qualifying examination in November 18, 2012 for top 10% graduating high school students in Region XII held in the following testing centers: University Laboratory SchoolUniversity of Southern Mindanao (ULS-USM) in 28
Kabacan, Cotabato; Notre Dame University (NDU), Cotabato City; Mindanao State University (MSU)General Santos City; Notre Dame of Marbel College (NDMU)-Koronadal City, and Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College (SKPSC)-Tacurong City. The Merit program is open to graduating high school students interest to pursue baccalaureate degrees in the field of science and technology regardless of family economic status while the Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1984 or RA 7687 caters to deserving poor and indigent students in the country. Both under the DOSTSEI and Merit programs, scholars are entitled to tuition and other school
fees subsidy, book allowance and monthly living allowance, among others, except for a pro-rated monthly stipend for the latter depending on the family’s socio-economic status. As the annual DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarhip provides the opportunity for deserving high school graduates to pursue four or five-year baccalaureate degress in priority science and technology areas, programs Qualifiers can enroll in state universities and other higher education institutions duly recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development (pbchangco/ PIA Cotabato City/DOST 12) Friday, April 12, 2013