DOST GRANTED P100M FOR INT'L SCHOLARSHIPS

The Science Education Institute, operating under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), was granted a much-needed boost in their 2011 funding for the "development, utilization and implementation of science and technology scholarships", including a P100-Million allocation for the Science, Technology and Engineering Fellowships and Scholarships for the Philippines to Taiwan and Korea.

This, according to Senator Edgardo J. Angara who had successfully lobbied for an increase in the scholarship budgets under the DOST.

"We have an ongoing Memorandum of Agreement between the Philippines, Taiwan and Korea, with regards to our mutual exchange student programs. We're still negotiating a similar deal with Japan. These technologically advanced countries provide an excellent training ground for our engineers and scientists," he said.

Angara, who heads the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, explained during the budget deliberations that these three countries are the technological hubs of Asia and have built their progressive economies on technological advancement.

"We are fortunate to have this opportunity to send out our students to become a part of such a progressive, science-based curriculum," said Angara.

According to Angara, these additional allocations were part of his efforts to even out the 2011 General Appropriations Bill, which prioritizes the basic education system over the tertiary levels.

"We all believe that education is the key to breaking the viscous cycle of poverty in our country. While I agree that the government should focus on providing the primary and secondary education, we must not forget the importance of undergraduate and graduate studies which are critical in improving the professional competitiveness of our workforce," he asserted.