DOST-SEI scholar-graduates challenged to become the 21st Century STEM leaders

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“We are given the privilege na maging iskolar ng bayan, but it also comes with the great responsibility and obligation to flourish beyond what is given to us by the scholarship, to give back even beyond sa kung ano yung binigay sa amin. And this includes serving the nation and future generations.”

This is one of the key takeaways of Carl Jason Guevarra, a DOST scholar and a graduating BS Psychology student from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, as he attended the 2023 NCR-based DOST-SEI Scholars’ Exit Conference – an event made in efforts to keep scholars in the loop of their scholarship obligation.

Aiming to highlight the commitment of future leaders in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute conducted the Exit Conference on June 21, 2023 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, which brought together around 1,600 DOST scholars from NCR.

The main rationale of the Exit Conference is to refresh the scholar-graduates of their return service agreement after graduation, challenging them to become the future Filipino STEM leaders – creating a significant and meaningful impact not only in their own communities, but in the whole country.

Ms. Ma. Nerissa Nicolas of the DOST-SEI Scholarship Division discussed the terms and policies for the various scholarships: RA 7687, Merit, and RA 10196. Meanwhile, Ms. Charilyn Joy Layus, also from the Institute’s Scholarship Division, introduced the various DOST-SEI local and foreign graduate scholarship programs which the scholars can avail should they pursue their post graduate studies in the future.

The Director of the Institute, Dr. Josette T. Biyo, expressed her heartfelt congratulations to the new batch of DOST-SEI scholar-graduates and encouraged them to take an active role in ensuring the progress of the nation. She hailed the scholars' success and reminded them of their capacity to uplift the lives of Filipinos.

Similarly, DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Sodium, in his virtual message, reminded the scholar-graduates of their commitment to serve the nation. He urged them to use their expertise to contribute to nation-building and be of service to the people.

Introducing the institute’s TRACER (Tracking Actual Career Experience Report) study, Dr. Randolf S. Sasota, DOST-SEI Supervising Science Research Specialist, highlighted the significance of monitoring the career movement of DOST scholars and assessing the impact of the scholarship programs to individual progress and national and/or international development.

Also gracing the event were 2009 Balik Scientist Dr. Rigoberto Advincula, University of the Philippines National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (UP NISMED) Director Dr. Sheryl Lyn Monterola, and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Senior Labor & Employment Officer Mr. Ryan Roberto Delos Reyes, who all shared their inspiring journeys, invaluable insights, and motivations on how to venture successfully in S&T careers.

The Exit Conference also became a venue for preparing the students for their job application. Dr. Carmelita Pabiton, a Registered Guidance Counselor provided the scholars with some tips on how to overcome job search anxiety. Meanwhile, Ms. Ruby Chanda Jetomo, Assistant Chief of the Department of Education (DepEd), discussed their hiring arrangements for RA 10612 and RA 7687 scholar-graduates.

All five encouraged the scholars to use the skills and knowledge they have gained from their academic journey to help contribute to the nation’s development and emphasized their duty to serve the country well.

The future scholar-graduates were glad to have attended the conference as they have picked up some lessons which would prove beneficial in their journeys. They echoed how the talks have answered their inquiries and enlightened them about the true essence of being an Iskolar ng Bayan para sa Agham.

Russel Toribio, a BS Civil Engineering student and one of the attending DOST scholars from the University of the Philippines Manila, emphasized how the conference has taught them about their duty to collaborate and unite with the country’s brains of S&T.

“Yung value ng collaboration, lalo na sa field ng Science and Technology, ay mahalaga nang hindi lamang nakakulong sa isang utak ang lahat ng ideya. Ang nagbibigay ng success at ng progress sa atin ay ang diversity of ideas na nagegenerate ng maraming utak,” Toribio said.

Graduating DOST-SEI scholars are all smiles as they pose for a photo opportunity, together with the DOST-SEI officials and invited resource speakers, during the conclusion of the 2023 Exit Conference.

Concluding the 2023 NCR-based DOST-SEI Scholars’ Exit Conference was Mr. Peter Gerry Gavina, Chief Science Research Specialist of DOST-SEI’s Scholarship Division, who congratulated and praised the scholars for their perseverance, consistency, and dedication in being the best S&T scholars of their time.

Mr. Gavina expressed hope that the talks would ignite in the scholars the desire to serve the country and assured that the institute would continue rooting for them, while also highlighting the institute’s various graduate scholarship offerings should they decide to level up their science education.

Other DOST regional offices have also started conducting similar Exit Conferences for their scholars in the regions. (30)

Japan Confers Decoration on Dr. Cynthia Neri Zayas

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Former director of the UP Diliman Center for International Studies (CIS), Dr. Cynthia Neri Zayas was conferred by the Japanese government the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette during the 2023 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals, in recognition of her contributions for promoting academic exchange and cultural understanding between Japan and the Philippines.

According to the Embassy of Japan on its Philippine website, the Japanese government acknowledges Dr. Zayas as the Philippines’ leading maritime anthropologist and foremost Japanologist. Her field of excellence includes cultural anthropology, maritime anthropological studies of Asia, and cultures of disaster. She is also credited for pioneering maritime anthropological studies in the Philippines, together with Japanese anthropologists, after completing her master’s and doctoral degrees in Japan. Her internationally recognized works on the cultures of disasters and free women divers, or ‘ama,’ in Japan have deepened the understanding of Japanese culture and society worldwide. Dr. Zayas is also acknowledged as instrumental in introducing Japanese traditional performing arts to the Philippines.

 

The Order of the Rising Sun is the third highest order bestowed by the Japanese government to exemplary individuals, following the Order of Paulownia Flowers, mostly reserved for politicians, while the Order of Chrysanthemum is bestowed upon heads of state or royalty. It was established on April 10, 1875 during the reign of Emperor Meiji by decree of the Council of State. It was the first ever national decoration awarded by the Japanese government to those who have made distinguished achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their field, development in welfare, or preservation of the environment.

The order consists of eight classes, and the decoration is in the form of a badge, featuring rays of the sunlight from the rising sun, symbolizing the powerful energy emanating from it. An honoree is presented a badge, depending on the class level attained. The awarding of honors, including decorations and medals, is an act performed by the Emperor with the advice and approval of the Cabinet, pursuant to Article 7 of the Constitution of Japan.

Dr. Zayas was one of four Filipino recipients of the prestigious award last April. The other three Filipino awardees were Hon. Alberto Romulo, conferred with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, for his contributions in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting friendship between Japan and the Philippines; Hon. Delfin N. Lorenzana, conferred with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, for his contributions in strengthening national defense relations between the two countries; and, Hon. Gamaliel A. Cordoba, conferred with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for his contributions in strengthening cooperation in the field of information and communication technology. They will receive this award on Monday, at the residence of the Japanese ambassador to the Philippines.

WITHIN A YEAR, ROBREDO’S ANGAT BUHAY SERVED 20.1k FAMILIES, 15.6K INDIVIDUALS “We are just getting started,” says the Foundation

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Angat Buhay Chairperson Atty. Leni Robredo leads the groundbreaking ceremony for a dormitory project at Central Bicol State University of Agriculture - Calabanga Campus last June.]

Angat Buhay Foundation, the non-governmental organization (NGO) founded and chaired by former Vice President Leni Robredo, has helped a total of 20,131 families and 15,636 individuals across 176 communities since it was established last July 1, 2022, according to a report released on Saturday during the foundation’s first-anniversary celebration.

“Nagsisimula pa lang tayo (We are just getting started),” said Raffy Magno, executive director of Angat Buhay.

From July last year to June 2023, Bayanihan e-Konsulta, the foundation’s flagship telemedicine program, assisted 7,706 unique patients with the help of 285 medical volunteers and at least a thousand non-medical volunteers. The program, originally for COVID-19 response, has expanded to mental health and other non-emergency medical issues as well.

At least 1,214 underweight and severely underweight children aged 6 to 59 months are also enrolled in the foundation’s nutrition program. The said program is present in seven (7) sites including Himamaylan in Negros Occidental and Maslog in Eastern Samar.

Angat Buhay also established 137 learning hubs nationwide to help non-readers and numeracy-challenged learners. Community learning hubs or CLH house equipment and learning tools for students, including trained teaching volunteers.

Learners go through a program that targets their skills in reading and math in specialized ‘Angat Basa’ and ‘Angat Bilang’ centers. In a year, at least 5,000 students have been enrolled in the program.

“Improving literacy and numeracy of Filipino students needs community-based involvement,” said Magno. “We enjoined the assistance of education experts and stakeholders in designing the modules, training, and evaluation system. In our monitoring, all hubs improve learners’ literacy while 95% of students improved in their numeracy from pre-test to post-test,” he also said.

Within a year, Angat Buhay also finished construction and turnover of dormitories in Infanta, Quezon and Camarines Norte and classrooms in Camarines Sur and Maasin, Iloilo.

More than 20,000 families affected by natural and man-made disasters from 93 displaced and affected communities were also given immediate relief and assistance and rehabilitation initiatives by the NGO since it was established.

Early this year, Angat Buhay also inked a deal to establish a disaster preparedness and response center to train volunteers for disaster response and serve as a headquarters for the foundation’s relief efforts.

In August last year, Robredo launched the Angat Bayanihan, a volunteer network that aims to empower people’s organizations and help them give back to their respective communities. Since then, Angat Bayanihan has mobilized 188 grassroots organizations and 13,705 individual volunteers, according to the foundation. The said network has conducted community kitchens, medical missions, and relief distribution, among others.

“Angat Buhay is now a movement, and we are sending a message to millions of Filipinos that they are not alone in demanding meaningful participation,” said Magno. “Ang Angat Buhay ay pagpapatupad ng adhikain ng bawat Pilipinong may tiwala sa kanyang sarili at sa kapangyarihan ng bayanihan (Angat Buhay embodies the aspiration of the Filipino who has faith in oneself and in the power of volunteerism),” Magno concluded. #
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